Bentley Blower Jnr

A Classic Revival

Back in the day, the Bentley 4½-Liter Blower was the true star of the road, a car that W.O. Bentley himself put together to take on the faster race cars of the era. With just 54 units made between 1929 and 1931, and only four beefed-up for the race tracks, it’s no wonder this car is legendary. Though it never claimed victory in international races, it won hearts, including that of Ian Fleming, the mind behind James Bond. The street versions had a robust 175 horsepower, and those track warriors cranked out 240 horsepower. Fast forward to 2019, Bentley decided to tip its hat to this storied relic again, releasing a continuation series drawing inspiration from the 1929 Bentley 4½-Liter Number Two Team Car.

Recently, Bentley teamed up with Hedley Studios in Oxfordshire, England to roll out the Bentley Blower Jnr. It’s like a mini-me version of the 1929 legend, scaled down to 85% of the size. This hand-built beauty stretches 146 inches in length and 59 inches in width. It’s got that tandem seating like the original, just enough room for two to enjoy the revival of this classic machine.

Ben Hedley, who runs the show at Hedley Studios, mentioned, “We’re stoked to kick off the production of 349 of these handcrafted marvels and can’t wait to see them cruising down the streets.”

The Reality Check

Now, hold up, calling it a “Blower” is a bit of a stretch. This new Bentley Blower Jnr isn’t packing the supercharged punch of its forebearers. Instead, it opts for a 48-volt electric heart with a modest 20 horsepower output. Its electric motor purrs along for around 65 miles with a top speed that maxes out at 45 mph.

This little guy wears a steel frame under all that retro flair, trading away the original’s ash structure. The rear boasts a carbon fiber body hidden under an old-school fabric look, with an aluminum hood, leather straps, and a shiny nickel-plated radiator for a proper vintage vibe. It’s even got modern touches—front disc brakes and rear drum brakes from Brembo, and a suspension system that nods back to its leaf-spring lineage but with modern-day finesse.

Peek inside, and it’s like stepping back in time with an engine-turned aluminum dash that’s unmistakably Bentley. Yet, it’s got modern twist—a drive mode selector with Comfort, Bentley, and Sport options. A simple toggle manages Forward, Neutral, and Reverse, tossing out the old fuel pump hand play for a future-centric battery charge gauge.

Wrapping Up

Forking over $115,000 for the Bentley Blower Jnr might seem like a splurge, but you’re really paying for a piece of history wrapped in a 21st-century package. Sure, it’s not burning rubber like its ancestor, nor is it delivering the raw, unfiltered thrill of a vintage Blower. It’s more about cruising and looking back in time while savoring a slice of Bentley legacy. For those looking to touch the past through modern sensibilities, the Blower Jnr fits the bill perfectly.