Mostly Pink With a Little Bit of Blue...

A line from a certain dreadful old song from a long time ago (mind you, this is the other way around).



I couldn't resist posting these three shots I came across on www.exoticsonroad.com



As the quote goes: "Any colour you want Sir,..."



Sorry Mr.Ford, black is too boring...

(posted by David Irvine)

A Good Hiding

I took a photo of a Ghost I spotted today, and realised what a sad world we live in.

On newer Rolls-Royces, when you park and lock you car old Eleanor (The Spirit of Ecstasy) goes into hiding so nobody tries to 'nick' her.

Spoils the photos...

Here is my shot from today, some others from the great site www.exoticsonroad.com ,some of my old 1980's photos and a shot from last year's RROC meet.

Spot the difference....

 

(posted by David Irvine)

 

 

 

 

Wood If I could...

Don't be discouraged or put off by sad wood in a Crewe product - it is restorable.

That cracked lacquered wood can be refinished. Lots of patience with stripping, lacquering, polishing, relacquering, polishing, relacquering... and so on.

It's simple - you've got to know what you're doing.

Or get someone else to do it...

 

Thanks again to Rodd for most of the shots.

 

(posted by David Irvine)

With reference to my 'Wood if I Could' post, here is a nice set of fully refinished door panel cappings from a Silver Shadow. All multi lacquered and multi polished. You can see and appreciate the original factory work involved in matching the veneers in symmetry. Each side is the exact mirror image of the other from the centre of the facia (dash) right down to the rear inner D pillar mirror surrounds.

Check out the appropriate old 1970's RR newspaper advertisement (which I have posted before, but seems fitting).

 

Thanks to Rodd for the photos.

(posted by David Irvine)

901

Congratulations to Bentleyspotting!

Ninety-nine to go the the big one thousand.

(Posted by David Irvine)

900th Bentley Spotting Post

Wow - this is the 900th Bentley Spotting Post



And I'm still doing it, finding quite special photos of rare Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars for your enjoyment and mine. With thanks to David for helping out as well.

I'm not always the best with keeping up with emails, but there are plenty of ways to get in touch and get involved.

Here are a few:

http://www.youtube.com/bentleyspotting
http://www.facebook.com/bentleyspotting
http://www.twitter.com/bentleyspotting
http://picasaweb.google.com/bentleyspotting
http://www.flickr.com/bentleyspotting/
http://www.panoramio.com/user/bentleyspotting


Now something about you guys, the readers.

Here is the Top 10 countries that visit Bentley Spotting:

1. United Kingdom
2. United States
3. Germany
4. Australia
5. France
6. Canada
7. Netherlands
8. Italy
9. Japan
10. Hungary


Thanks again to all the people who send in tips, photos and comments, I appreciate it.

Bentley Hooper Empress II Unfinished

This car is very interesting.

Not just because it is a Bentley Turbo R based Hooper Empress II, made by Hooper & Co Coacbuilders Ltd, but these photos actually raise some questions and show interesting details.

It is the state of the car that raises questions.

Lets take a look.

It is pretty obvious that it is unfinished. Like proper unfinished.

The doors have not been skinned yet, no glass and there may or may not be an engine in there.



But what I'm most interested in is the unexpected additions to the car.

Have a look at the front lights. It looks like they were building twin circular lights into the design, not the standard GM like front lamps on other Bentley Hooper Empress II cars.

Now look at the wheels. Well they certainly are unexpected. That is because they were designed well after this car would have been expected to be made.

They are late 1990 wheels on a car that I would have thought would have been built in the late 1980s. In deed the picture description from the Motoring Picture Library states that it is a 1989 car.

Now take a look at the side skirts. They are of quite a different updated design to all the other Bentley Hooper Empress II cars made.

They are of a Mulliner like design, which is quite impressive, and makes to car look quite new.



For comparision, below is a standard Bentley Hooper Empress II, and it looks dated when compared to this unfinished one.



I'm thinking it was an abandoned project once Hooper & Co Coacbuilders Ltd was closing shop.

Pity. I do hope it gets completed one day. I wonder where the picture was taken.

For more info on the Bentley Hooper Empress II, I have written these previous posts below -

Bentley Hooper Empress II Market Wrap
Bentley Hooper Empress II in Production
Bentley Hooper Empress II at Geneva Motor Show 1987
Bentley Hooper Empress II For sate in California
Bentley Hooper Empress II For sale in France
Bentley Hooper Empress II For Sale in the USA from Japan
Bentley Hooper Empress II Spotted in Monaco
Bentley Hooper Empress II Hi Res Black and White Ad
Bentley Hooper Empress II Original Advertisement
Bentley Hooper Empress II bodied Bentley Turbo R

PS- The above photos are hotlinked from the Motoring Picture Library and I do not have copies of them.

Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Park Ward Interior

There is certainly quite a bit of room in the back.



Only 127 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Park Ward's were made, so you generally will not see one everyday. Unless your driver drives one.

Dulled

See what happens when you leave your GT in the sun too long and never clean the wheels.

Sidewalk Sale

Here's a nice presentation on Ebay.



A new Mulsanne at Bentley Gold Coast in Chicago.





It's different to see shots taken on the downtown sidewalk and not just some lot or garage.



The car is for sale on ebay here.



Actually all their stock is shown this way. I like it - and Chicago's a cool backdrop.

(posted by David Irvine)

The Aussie Continentals

This is one very rare sight downunder. Well actually, anywhere in the world.

Three Aussie Bentley Continentals from the late 80s, possibly early 90s in the same place at the same time.

Only 429 of these cars were made from 1984 till 1995, including numerous for the Sultan of Brunei, so they are very hard to find, and nice to collect. And drive. And own. And put the roof down. And drive some more.

The output of the factory in Crewe was around three and a quarter Bentley Continentals per month, with the coachwork made by Mulliner Park Ward. It was not because they were lazy, but because they were, and still are, very special cars.

Three continents together, with subtle cultural differences.

One with a badge bar, one without fog lamp covers, one with a white roof, one with chrome vains, one with head lamp wipers, one with colour coded rear view mirrors and all together speak the language of lust. They certaily look amazing.



The number plates are 'A1' from New South Wales, 'UUU 111' from Victoria and 'GGG 999' also from Victoria. 'A1' coincidently was previously spotted at the 53 Federal Rally of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club of Australia here.

I certainly want one. Do you?

If you do, and you are interested 'UUU 111' has come up for sale, the one with the chrome vains and a white roof in Royal Blue.

Ekberg & Lang, Australia's largest specialists in the sale of pre-owned Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars situated in Melbourne, have listed it for sale.



It is a 1989 example with VIN SCBZDOOA3KCH29136 which lets just say, makes it highly desirable.

Being a 1989 example makes it part of the 20000 series, which is known as the facelift model.

It's the best year, as this car has fuel injection and ABS brakes. As it is not the 1990 model, it does not have the hard to repair active ride suspension which is a bonus.

Also, as it is post 1988, you are unable to import this car into Australia due to the restrictions of the car import legislation.



It is actually the only 1989 Bentley Continental in Australia, and probably will be for a while. The only other option is if a person has been living outside of Australia and has owned the car for more than one year and then moves to Australia with the correct visa, will there be another 1989 Bentley Continental downunder. Unless the law changes of course, but seek legal advice as always.

It has done 62,232 kms and is described by Ekberg & Lang, as a 'Once in a blue moon opportunity' and is in 'Superb condition throughout and impeccably maintained' where it is 'Probably the most collectable of the recent model Bentleys and stylish in any company.'

I would have to agree.



It has a asking price if $169,777 which is reasonable considering the desirability and availability of a 1989 Bentley Continental in Australia.

More pictures and details of this car can be seen at Ekberg & Lang here.

Now if anyone ever finds a Turbo version of this car, please be in touch. Buyer waiting.