- Extremely faithful to the spirit of the 1930s
- Very fast, easier to drive than a Bentley from the period
- Based on Bentley and Rolls-Royce parts from the 1940s
Ordered on 23 October 2010 by Thierry Dehaeck from Racing Green Engineering in Wales, this car is an evocation of the ‘Big Bentleys’ which dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the start of the 1930s. It is based on a 1948 Bentley Mark VI chassis equipped with a 6.5-litre Rolls-Royce B81 8-cylinder in-line engine, fed by four SU H6 carburettors and developing more than 200bhp. The four-seat tourer body, inspired by the Le Mans Bentleys, was built in accordance with the Weymann system, with a wooden framework and a synthetic leather covering, and an aluminium bonnet, while the interior, leather seats, instruments and controls remain true to what was done at the time, with only a Halda Tripmaster having been added to this harmonious ensemble. Externally, the headlamps, windscreen, running boards and bonnet straps help take us back to the world of the 1930s.
The construction of the car is documented in a file of photographs, and a letter from the Bentley Drivers Club dated 31 July 2011 states: “We have examined this car and confirm its identity. It has been rebuilt using original parts, all more than 45 years old. The engine is a Rolls-Royce/Bentley B81 from the period.”
In perfect condition, this car is characterized by its strict adherence to the spirit of the period, both mechanically and aesthetically. It gives its driver the thrills of a Bentley from the 1930s – its acceleration, the sound it makes, the view down its long bonnet – with the advantage of being easier to drive thanks to its all-synchro gearbox and faultless reliability, the mechanical components having been completely rebuilt. Dehaeck has taken part with the car in several rallies such as the Trimard Rally, the Kiwanis Classic Tour, the Rallye des Colines and, most recently, the Bentley Boys, in Luxembourg in August 2026. Supplied with an extensive history file and its FIVA card, its new owner will continue to be able to drive it on rallies or other trips, with room to bring his family or friends along thanks to its spacious body.
We invite potential bidders to contact the relevant authorities in the country of destination to find out about the possibilities for registering this vehicle.