In April of this year, Bentley announced the creation of a digital replica of its legendary 1929 41/2 Blower pre-war racing car, which has competed in many prestigious races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now the British have begun to assemble his first factory replica, but we are talking about a "zero" copy - a prototype.
The production of the 90-year-old model is carried out by the Bentley Mulliner division, which specializes in the production of exclusive Bentley modifications. To recreate the Blower, the engineers dismantled one of the surviving original examples, after which a CAD model of it was created, since the original drawings of the car did not survive.
Interestingly, the company entrusted the production of the frame, external body panels, fuel tank, springs and optics to partners. But the assembly is already carried out by the specialists of the Mulliner division. The frame of the car body is made of ash-tree laths and beams dried by a special technique.
“In the process, we improve the design and fix the problems that arise - that's what the prototype is created for. We all look forward to the completion of work on the first car and its world presentation, which will take place this year, ”said Tom Hanning, head of Bentley Mulliner.
A prototype will be shown to customers with 12 Blower replicas, after which a premiere will take place for a wide audience.
Bentley Motors CEO Adrian Hallmark has previously said that customers of the brand are going to use Blower replicas for pleasure trips, during which they want to feel vintage technology without damaging the original cars.
The most important thing - the engine - for the zero instance of the replica has already been assembled. This is an exact copy of the original. Bentley Blower is equipped with a 4.5-liter 16-valve petrol engine with a Villiers supercharger, which develops 242 hp.
Bentley is working on a "zero" copy of the 90-year-old Blower racing car
