Bentley is celebrating its 100th anniversary in an exceptional way, unveiling an impressive gift to car enthusiasts. The renowned automaker from Crewe has announced plans to produce 12 continuation models of its legendary and highly valued historical vehicle: Sir Tim Birkin’s 1929 4½-liter “Team Blower” endurance racer.
The British automaker garnered significant attention in 1929 when Sir Tim Birkin, one of the founding members known as the “Bentley Boys,” crafted just four prototypes of this race car. This model was based on the Bentley 4½-liter chassis and featured an innovative supercharger. At that time, the use of superchargers was quite contentious—W.O. Bentley himself criticized the idea, claiming it compromised the engine’s original design and performance. His famous adage: “There’s no replacement for displacement,” reflected this belief.
Despite the reservations, the Team Blower cars achieved outstanding success on the racetrack, competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Their remarkable performance solidified Bentley’s reputation as a powerhouse in pre-war motorsports. Today, all four of the original race cars remain intact and are regarded as some of the most valuable Bentleys ever produced.
To honor these iconic vehicles and make history by reviving a pre-war model, Bentley will craft 12 new Team Blower cars, symbolizing the 12 races the originals participated in during their debut year. Bentley will leverage its ownership of one of the original cars, with its Mulliner division set to meticulously disassemble it, 3D scan each component, and create a precise digital model for the new production run. The manufacturing process will blend historic tooling with modern technology for safety enhancements.
The plan is to recreate these cars to their original specifications, introducing only minor modifications for safety purposes. They will maintain the original leaf spring suspension, the large 15.7-inch drum brakes, the pressed steel frame, and the 4.4-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder engine featuring a replicated Amherst Villiers Mk-IV roots-type supercharger, which initially produced 240 horsepower.
The production of these vehicles is expected to take up to two years, and they are predicted to sell for well into the seven-figure range. While the cost is steep for a piece of automotive history, it demonstrates that luxury manufacturers still produce vehicles with the same craftsmanship as in the past—provided buyers have the financial means..
