A modern revisiting of a legendary classic
The 4½-Liter Blower Bentley is, perhaps, the most iconic Bentley ever built. It’s a car created by W.O. Bentley himself in response to the increasing power of race cars. A mere 54 were built from 1929 through 1931, with four fitted as race cars. Despite having never won an international race, they’ve become the stuff of legend and a favorite of many, including author Ian Fleming. Street-legal versions of the supercharged car produced 175 horsepower, while track models generated a considerable 240 horsepower. In recent years, Bentley has revisited its famous model, including in 2019, when the company commenced a continuation series of 12 Blower Bentleys, based on the 1929 Bentley 4½-Liter Number Two Team Car, shown below.
Bentley
Late last month, Bentley Motors announced that it is working with Hedley Studios in Oxfordshire, England, to produce the Bentley Blower Jnr, a street-legal 85% scale recreation of the 1929 Bentley Blower. Measuring 146 inches long and 59 inches wide, it features tandem seating for two and is built by hand, much like the original.
Bentley
“With only 349 examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr to be built, we’re very excited to embark on this production process and see these pieces of handcrafted art out on the roads,” said Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, where the car is built.
But what is it really?
Calling it a Bentley Blower is a bit misleading, since the Bentley Blower Jnr lacks a blower, aka a supercharger. Instead, the Bentley Blower Jnr uses a fully-electric 48-volt powertrain with a 15-kWh (20 bhp) electric motor that has an estimated range of 65 miles and a top speed of 72 kph. That’s 45 mph to us Yanks.
It employs a steel frame, rather the original’s ash frame. The rear body structure is made of carbon fiber covered in impregnated fabric, like the original. The hood is aluminum and finished with leather straps and a nickel-plated radiator. Underneath, it’s fitted with a leaf-spring suspension, friction dampers and, in a nod to modern-day safety, front disc/rear drum Brembo brakes.
Bentley
Inside, an engine-turned aluminium instrument panel looks much like the original, although with the addition of a drive mode selector featuring a choice of Comfort, Bentley or Sport. A Forward, Neutral and Reverse switch takes the place of the original’s fuel pressurization hand pump, while a battery charge gauge replaces the original ammeter.
Final thoughts
With a starting price of $115,000, the Bentley Blower Jnr represents a reimagining of an automotive icon for the modern age. Its small size and relatively low range and top speed ensures that it remains a novelty at best, without the visceral thrills and driving challenge characteristic of a true 4½-Liter Blower Bentley. Accepting it for what it is means you’ll enjoy what few other vehicles that can provide: a modern-day link to the past.
