The 1929 Bentley Blower Continuation series has proudly witnessed the inaugural ignition of its 4.5-liter straight-six engine. This remarkable unit is set to power the prototype known as Car Zero. Before the engine could be test-fired for the first time, Bentley engineers constructed a specialized testbed at their factory in Crewe.
To facilitate the testing, a modified Bentley Blower front chassis was assembled to secure the engine, along with a computer-controlled dynamometer. This setup was essential because the engine design dates back nearly a century, and Bentley no longer produces these types of engines. The use of a designated chassis enables engineers to evaluate the engine in a controlled environment.
Notably, Bentley utilized test-bed equipment that was last employed during World War II for testing the Merlin V12 engines used in Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes. This illustrates the lengths to which Bentley’s engineers went to ensure the Continuation series is properly tested.
However, it’s disappointing that Bentley has only shared images of the engine running, without any accompanying audio or video. The company has announced that the engine will undergo testing in cycles lasting over 20 hours. Following this thorough examination, the next step will involve fitting the engine into the car and initiating a test drive program designed to replicate over 21,000 miles on the road and around 5,000 miles on the track.
Bentley has committed to producing only 12 units of the 1929 Blower Continuation, all of which are already spoken for. Enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to seeing these classic vehicles in action, especially considering the intriguing backstory of the 1929 Bentley Blower, often referred to as an underdog in racing history.
Originally conceived by Sir Tim Birkin, the Bentley Blower was an ambitious attempt to enhance the performance of Bentley’s race cars through supercharging. Despite Walter Owen Bentley’s warnings that such modifications could compromise the integrity of the design, Birkin went ahead with upgrades including a new crankshaft, reinforced connecting rods, and an improved oil system. While these cars were incredibly fast, they were also notoriously delicate due to the added stress from the supercharger.
Ironically, despite possessing the spirit of a racing champion, the Bentley Blower never secured a race victory. This nostalgic failure resonates with the story of Rocky Balboa, who, despite being a better athlete, lost to Apollo.
So why does this vehicle captivate car enthusiasts? Perhaps it’s the universal appeal of the underdog story. The 1929 Bentley Blower is akin to the original Rocky—a beloved champion in the hearts of many..
