Corniche Roadster

"This custom-built two-seater was commissioned by the late Dr. Erle Heath of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Heath was an avid Rolls-Royce collector and veteran Rolls-Royce Owners Club member nearly his entire life. Dr. Heath in collaboration with the designers at Niko Michael, created the concept of a modern day two-seater roadster. The car began life as a brand-new 1977 Rolls-Royce Corniche, and with just 125 miles on the odometer, the transformation began. After endless hours of brainstorming and three years of painstaking work, this masterpiece was unveiled. This very special automobile immediately gained the respect of Rolls-Royce enthusiasts around the world. Driven mainly to shows and exhibitions, it has only 25,000 miles on the odometer since new."



Dr. Erle Heath was also a patron of the Classic Car Club of American which has a museum that is located on the campus of the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, United States of America.

Bentleys on Whitehall

I do really enjoy it when readers send in article suggestions. Especially when it is about their own cars.

Stephen Fabman-Beker the secretary of the RREC South Eastern Section has done just that, and I have decided to post the article as is.


Dear Sir,

Last year my two Bentleys were used to launch the London Motorshow. At the end of the drive through London and past Nelsons Column and into Whitehall, I stopped in the middle of the road outside Downing Street, my partner driving the other Bentley stopped beside me and we got out and took photographs. The police became agitated and tried to move us on but we stayed there for 20 minutes in this privileged place as a few other classic cars stopped to join us.

Here is an interactive satellite image of the exact place where the photographs were taken. Zoom in and move around to orientate yourself.

View Larger Map

Now to the photographs.



The Bentley nearest the camera is a Bentley S3 Touring Limousine with division by James Young. It was ordered in January 1965, the chassis was delivered to James Young in Bromley in July 1965 and finally delivered to the customer, Lord Ronson in January 1966. This car is one of just three Bentley SCT 100's built and the only one in England. The other two are known to me, one in America and the other in New Zealand.



The second Bentley furthest away from the camera is a Bentley S Type 1959. Bought new by Ted Robbins and kept until his death in 1988 when his wife continued to use the car, when she died in 1998 and with just 33,000 recorded I bought the car. Ted Robbins company dealt with processed recalcitrant chalk used in manufacturing the paint for white lines on roads. His company painted the white lines on the M1 when it was first built.

Best regards

Stephen Fabman-Beker
secretary of the RREC South Eastern Section
www.rrec-se.co.uk

So readers, please do sent in suggestions and stories about your cars and have them published on www.bentleyspotting.com

Manly entrance into Vintage Bentley

Previously on Bentley Spotting we have seen ladies entering Bentleys here. Now it is a mans turn.

Certainly a sporting entry into a sporting car.

Video from the The Avengers episode 'Return of the cybernaughts'.

Bentley Final Series

I am thinking like the advertising creative.

I have got a new great idea! I will draw a picture of the car, write down the new bits, and with a ruler point to where the new bit go.



That is a great idea! I have never thought of that before. Let's do it. It will be a revolutionary way to demonstrate change to the Final Series of the Bentley Continential R and the Azure.



That could have happen in 2003, when the final series of this classic Bentley was released.





These three photographs accompanied the press release. Not really much choice here for the editor.



And here it is. The text from the press release

"Based on the current range, both the Continental R and Azure Final Series models will feature a series of performance-orientated additions designed to complement the already extensive Bentley Mulliner specification, further enhancing the car's 420bhp appeal. Both models, considered to be the most complete expression of two designs that were originally launched in 1991 (Continental R) followed four years later by the Azure, are set to become highly sought after collectors' items.

Since their respective debuts, 1533 Continentals R's and 1235 Azures have been built at the Crewe factory, confirming their enduring appeal as the ultimate expression of dynamic, yet luxurious high-speed tourers.

The Continental R will feature sporting five-spoke wheels and high-performance Bentley branded brake calipers finished in bright red. Wide wheel arches accommodate the 18 x 9.5J wheels and tyres. The lower front bumper has been restyled and incorporates three meshed air intakes to match the front quarter panel wing vents. As befits the elegant Azure, five-spoke 18-inch wheels have been specified. A 'Mulliner' badge on each front wing pays discreet tribute to the coach built heritage of the two-door range. Inside, special attention has been paid to developing a unique Bentley Mulliner crafted interior that echoes the marque's sporting traditions.

The most distinctive feature is a stacked central instrument cluster that includes a turbo boost gauge, with chromed bezels and a red starter button. The sporting theme continues with a chromed and leather finished gear lever and drilled alloy pedals.

Diamond quilted sports seats and door inserts are complemented by a choice of either dark stained walnut veneer or black lacquered finish. In the former instance, the winged Bentley motif features on the waist rails to complete the highly detailed interior.

An upgraded Alpine audio system with MP3 playback and CD multi-changer also forms part of the interior specification.

"Both the Continental R and Azure form an integral part of Bentley's development as an independent marque. These Final Series models are the purest expression of two cars that combine the uniquely Bentley blend of hand-crafted luxury with supreme performance," said Adrian Hallmark, Bentley Motor's member of the board for sales & marketing.

In the best and unrivalled traditions of the marque customers are able to specify over and above the features offered, to develop their own unique finish in conjunction with Bentley Mulliner, the specialist coachbuilding and bespoke craftsmanship, styling and engineering team at Bentley Motors."

Text & Photos: Bentley Motors

I shouldn't really be so cynical.

Rolls Royce Phantom Stretch Limousine

Genaddi Design Group have made some interesting designs over the years. Previously Bentley Spotting has featured the Bentley Continental GT/LM racing car that was really just a photoshop.



Now this Rolls Royce by Genaddi Design Group car is real. It is shown along with the GT/LM in the company banner.



With some not so flattering 1980's high waisted underwear is the not so discreet Rolls Royce Phantom Stretch Limousine.



The images are in high resolution for a close up look at umm, the car.



Quoting from a recent Rolls Royce advertisement, "A Rolls Royce Phantom has only one serious rival. The person who owns it."



In this case however, a black shirt, pony tail, goatee beard and double breasted suit - I don't think really rivals the car. There is a reason why you pay for models.



Can you please take your hand off the mascot. I don't want to think how many services that has done. Probably unprotected.

Bentley Spotting in Zurich

Youtube user coolsims5 is a bit of a car spotter. He likes the exotics.

In Zurich one day he was walking down the street and saw three Bentleys park randomly on the same street.

Like a good boy, and to keep us entertained, he pulled out his camera phone and pressed the record button.

Here it is.

A Bentley Continential GT, a Bentley Continential GTC and a Bentley Continential R.

The Emperor State Limousine by Hooper

Straight from the brochure, "The Hooper State limousine has balance, proportion and style".

I simply have to agree.



This style of limousine is near identical to the Park Ward style, and I am currently hard pressed to find any external difference.

In high resolution.





This is what Hooper had to say about this beautiful car.



Pictures (Hooper & Co)

The Bentley Cemetery

This Bentley Cemetery is in South Dakota.



These Bentley Turbo R's are from the UK.







Everyone should always be appreciative of organ donors.

Non English Bentley Arnage Reviews

Lets watch a couple of Bentley Arnage reviews that are not in English

Bentoretabo

Not sure what Bentoretabo means? Well say it with a Japanese accent.

Bent-or-e--ta-bo. ベントレーターボ Hopefully I have copied the correct characters. It is Bentley Turbo if you are lost in translation.

The largest auction site in Japan is yahoo.jp auctions, and there are always a few interesting Rolls Royce and Bentley cars up for grabs.



Something that does not make sense is that many cars left hand drive, in the right hand drive market. It was, and could be still in fashion to have all import cars left hand drive - simply to prove that they are imports.

It is a bit pointless for English cars, as they are originally right hand drive for the home market. But a lot of fashion is pointless.



Now take a look at these cars. That is most likely a Jankel limousine at the rear. Now look at the bumper bars. That's right, they are after market and look really impressive.

It is a case of off with the old, and in with the new style. They are full plastic moulds with rear skirts as well. Very impressive. That I have not seen before is the very discrete rear spoiler on the boot. It is just a little lip spoiler, but it does make these cars a lot sportier.



I am a fan.