Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the BRDC Classic 2026 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 25th of July, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN. Few motor cars carry the same presence and competition heritage as the Bentley 4½-Litre Blower. Forever associated with Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin and the famed supercharged Team Cars of the era, the Blower Bentley has become one of the most recognisable and desirable pre-war performance cars ever produced. Combining immense torque, dramatic proportions and unmistakable mechanical theatre, the model remains synonymous with the 'golden age' of British motorsport.
This particular example has been assembled in the style of the original Team Cars and features four-seat Vanden Plas-style coachwork expertly constructed in period detail. Assembly commenced at some point in the 1980s by respected Bentley specialist Alan Smith who was based in Poitiers, France. The remains of an original chassis frame, 3-litre engine, steering box, and gearbox plus other parts were then sold in the early 1990s to a UK enthusiast who began the car's creation. The chassis was restored around its original numbered crossmembers, using heavy-gauge steel, hand-formed and hot riveted, preserving an important link to its period origins. During the mid-1990s, the project was inspected by the Bentley Drivers Club who subsequently assisted in securing UK road-registration under the age-related registration number, SV 7630, ensuring that the car can be fully enjoyed on the road.
Sadly, the project stalled and languished in a barn until purchased by our vendor in 2020, however, whilst in his ownership, the Bentley has benefitted from a comprehensive restoration carried out to a demonstrably exacting standard throughout. Mechanically, the specification is particularly impressive, using the famed Team Car Blower 'UU 5872' as inspiration. This centred around a newly built engine assembled by noted Bentley engineer, Nigel Green, using a new crankcase, with correct-type heavy crankshaft, aluminium pistons, twin-spark ignition, together with all-new internals. Paired to a newly machined Amherst Villiers Roots-type supercharger supplied by Kingsbury Racing, the Bentley is visually and mechanically true to the authentic Team Car character.
Further major works include rebuilding the original C-type gearbox with all new internals, together with an overhauled 6½-litre differential rear axle assembly, ensuring that the car is well suited to modern road use and touring whilst retaining the character and engineering integrity expected of such a machine.
The restoration has only recently been completed with the car covering approximately 300 running-in miles since completion. The quality of workmanship and presentation reportedly reflects the considerable attention paid throughout the build, resulting in a highly evocative and striking pre-war Bentley recreation equally suited to racing, road events, touring or the concours field.
The appeal of supercharged Bentley models has increased significantly in recent years, highlighted further by Bentley Motors recent continuation series of 12 newly constructed Blower Bentleys, examples of which were reportedly offered at some £1. 5 million and notably were not road registered. By contrast, this example offers much of the same visual drama, engineering appeal and driving experience at a fraction of that cost, while importantly benefitting from UK road registration and usability. It's accompanied by a quantity of build invoices and its V5C.
With its Tim Birkin-inspired appearance, substantial mechanical specification and recent high-quality restoration, this Bentley represents a rare opportunity to acquire a charismatic and highly usable vintage sporting motor car with immense road presence and unmistakable period character.
