1934 | Bentley Mk VI Straight Eight B81 Special

1934 Bentley Special Straight Eight Lemans style Tourer
Chassis number: GUB69
Registration Number: WXG117
The followng detailed description is from the owner:
Based on a Rolls-Royce 20/25 Chassis number GUB69 1934
20/25 Chassis, axels, wheels, steering.
Registration WXG117 originally AYE82. This registration was applied for with DVLA but not granted despite the backing of the RREC who confirmed the application to be genuine. It is registered as a Rolls 20/25 with Historic Vehicle status. Body type, engine number and size are all on the V5.
Engine is a Rolls-Royce B81 mark5H 6.5 litre straight eight. It was bought fully refurbished by the military to as new condition, still in its crate. Converted with four HD6 SU carbs, a civilian exhaust, distributer and front timing chest.
Gearbox is a five speed fully syncro Tremec T3650 as fitted to Ford Mustangs. Clutch and geared starter motor also Mustang. Converted to right hand shift.
The fuel tank is the original 20/25 item reworked to Bentley Le Mans style. The wheel spinners are covers over the 20/25 wheel nuts. These took weeks to make but I think really look right. The dynamo at the front is a dummy the actual dynamo is a Lucas special equipment type as fitted to the Mk6.
The parts
Authentic period parts are:-
Original Bentley radiator cowl, Ziess headlamps, Rubbolite rear lights, Brolt sidelights, Bosch horns, Bentley and draper front dampers, Andre Hartford rear dampers, desmo mirrors, Lucas battery box, all instruments period Smiths or Jaeger (speedo and rev counter are chronometric movements) Lighting switch original bentley item, dashboard lights are proper type fitted to LeMans team cars, screen wiper motor, etc etc. It took a very long time to find this little lot!
Just for fun
Dashboard clad in copper from the hull of HMS Victory. See Oct1888 stamp, the last time Victory was re coppered and coincidentally the birth year of W.O.Bentley. The copper was bought as four parts of the original large sheets selected for interesting marks and the effects of sea water. P&W is for Pascoe and Williams of Swansea who made the sheets, the arrows are government markings and the 28 is for the thickness of the copper. All victory copper and oak has been sold back to the victory trust so no longer available,
Gear knob turned from a treenail, an oak dowel from Victory.
Top of handbrake is a ‘spade grip’ control column top from a Hawker Hurricane. The machine gun button sounds the claxon horn. There are lots of replicas of these around but this is the real thing.
Door handles are from the crew door of a De Haviland Mosquito. From the collection of Wing Commander Peter Henley who was the last to fly the only original Mosquito left before it crashed. There is some speculation as to whether the handle came from this plane. Nice thought.
Jettison Bombs button from a WW2 Lancaster bomber, also sounds the claxon.
Engine start button from WW2 Spitfire.
Supermarine spitfire rudder pedals for passenger use
I have various documents confirming the provenance of these parts.
The build:
Work started in December 2010 and finished in 2020 during the first covid lockdown. I would estimate 10,000 hours were spent on the car during that period. I was working part time by then which helped.
I was a professional Design Engineer working on MRI body scanners at Siemens during this period. Previously as a Design Engineer for automotive components.
Virtually all the work was done by myself with very kind and invaluable help and guidance from friends who are professionals in the vintage car restoration business. Without their help and encouragement I wouldn’t have attempted this project.
They are:-
Brian Martin. Panel work, bonnet, tank etc. Another master craftsman who creates fabulous streamlined Riley racers.
Alan Geeter. Body fabric, hood and trim.
David Pearce windscreen and encouragement. Perhaps the most important bit!
The result
The aim with this car was to produce something that has a very authentic, period look to it. I had the good fortune to be able spend huge amounts of time on all the little details and sourcing the parts that make a big difference. A luxury the professional producers of Bentley replicas just can’t afford.
It is very easy to drive with effortless performance. Everywhere I go people stop, look and smile. So do I!
I have found everyone I have dealt with or met so very helpful and enthusiastic about this project particularly those in the Vintage car business including Bentley owners and experts.
My greatest pleasure is watching people at shows and vintage meetings walking past real Bentleys and professional replicas giving them a quick glance then stopping at mine for a good long look. It’s that sort of car.
To sum up this is a really fantastic car along the lines of those that others such as Petersen produce & has amazing attention to detail & interesting items fitted to it.