Description
This car is Lot 171 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 171
1949 Bentley Mark VI B80 'Speed 8' Special by Racing Green Engineering
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. B36EY
Completed circa 2010
Believed 1, 078 miles since completion
Rolls-Royce B80 6. 0-litre straight-eight engine
Owned for over 10 years
This spectacular Bentley Special is the creation of the renowned Racing Green Engineering Limited, a company with many years experience in the building of re-creations and specials on Bentley and other high quality chassis. Their 'Speed 8' recalls Bentley's 6½-Litre model, known to be W O Bentley's favourite design, which in Speed Six form won the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in Hours in 1929 and 1930 with 'Bentley Boys' 'Tim' Birkin, Glen Kidston and Woolf Barnato, establishing itself as one of the most iconic racing cars of its day.
According to Racing Green: "The coachwork of the Speed 8 follows the construction of the original Le Mans cars with an ash frame panelled with aluminium and fabric covered to the chosen colour of the car. A new aluminium instrument panel is fitted incorporating high quality reproductions of the original instruments. The interior is finished in Connolly leather and leather bound carpets. The fold flat windscreen has aero screens of the type that can be used in the normal scuttle position or as draught deflectors alongside the windscreen. It is fitted with hood tonneau cover and hood bag.
These cars have at their heart the B Series straight 8 engines, fitted with 4 SU Carburettors and a choice of rear axle ratios. Electrics have been upgraded to meet the demands of modern motoring and rally use, The robust MK6 chassis is used as the basis of the car."
This particular car is based on a modified Bentley Mark VI chassis, number 'B36EY', which started life in 1949 as a 'standard steel' model delivered new to one C Cunnington in the UK. The original UK registration was 'KLP 601'.
This leviathan is powered by a 6. 0-litre Rolls-Royce B80 straight-eight engine, which breathes via a quartet of SU carburettors mounted on a balanced and polished aluminium inlet manifold. This mighty power unit belongs to the B-series of engines developed towards the end of WW2 for military and commercial purposes. A derivative found its way into the ultra-rare Phantom IV. Maximum power output of a standard B80 was around 160bhp at a mere 3, 750rpm. This car's engine has been stamped with the number ('B18E') of the original six-cylinder Bentley power unit.
This Bentley Special has been built in the ever-popular 'Le Mans' style, featuring a new replica body in aluminium to broadly Speed Six specifications. The build was finished around 2010, and the current odometer reading of 1, 078 miles is assumed to be the distance covered since its completion.
On file is an Oldtimertaxatie Valuation Report, compiled on the vendor's behalf in April 2024, which describes the chassis as 'beautifully restored, in as new condition with hardly any trace of use'. The body likewise was found to be in excellent condition according to the report, as was the newly reupholstered red leather interior. The engine bay is clean, with only slight traces of use, while the engine itself has been rebuilt to Racing Green specifications. The Mark VI suspension, four-wheel hydraulic brakes and rewired electrics were all found to be in similarly excellent condition. The valuation report concludes that the car looks in as new condition. Offered with European registration papers and a copy of a UK V5.
Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
