m Sp |
fixed some very basic errors, removed some excess verbiage, introduced some 'peacock words' for a peacock chassis. More than 80 yrs later 78% of production survives, something must have been good about'em. Theremustbemorereliablesourcesthangiven here |
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The '''Bentley 8 Litre''' was the largest and most [[luxury car|luxurious]] [[ |
The '''Bentley 8 Litre''' was the largest and most [[luxury car|luxurious]] [[chassis]] manufactured by [[Bentley|Bentley Motors Limited]] at Cricklewood, London. The 8 Litre was also the last completely new model by Bentley before its purchase by [[Rolls-Royce Limited]] to end the very successful car's competition with its Phantom.<ref name="WMPCRobson" /><ref name="VVCPosthumus" /> Intended to be the basis for a super-luxury car for very wealthy buyers, the 8 Litre also had the misfortune to be introduced at the beginning of the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="VVCPosthumus" /> Sales were too slow to turn the company's finances around and less than nine months after its introduction Bentley Motors was in the hands of the receiver. |
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==Design and specifications== |
==Design and specifications== |
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The [[straight-six engine]] used a [[monobloc head|one-piece]] iron block and cylinder head with a [[crankcase]] made from [[Elektron (alloy)|Elektron]], a [[magnesium alloy]]. The cylinder head featured an [[overhead camshaft]], [[multi-valve|four valves per cylinder]] and twin-spark ignition, all of which were state-of-the-art at the time.<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="WMPCRobson" /> The engine had a [[Bore (engine)|bore]] of {{convert|110|mm|in|abbr=on}} and a stroke of {{convert|140|mm|in|abbr=on}},<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="VVCPosthumus" /> giving a capacity of {{convert|7983|cc|cuin|abbr=on}}.<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="WMPCRobson" /><ref name="VVCPosthumus" /> The manufacturer claimed a maximum speed of approximately 125 mph (200 km/h).<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /> A four-speed [[manual transmission]]<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="WMPCRobson" /> with a single-plate dry clutch sent power to the rear wheels. |
The [[straight-six engine]] used a [[monobloc head|one-piece]] iron block and cylinder head with a [[crankcase]] made from [[Elektron (alloy)|Elektron]], a [[magnesium alloy]]. The cylinder head featured an [[overhead camshaft]], [[multi-valve|four valves per cylinder]] and twin-spark ignition, all of which were state-of-the-art at the time.<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="WMPCRobson" /> The engine had a [[Bore (engine)|bore]] of {{convert|110|mm|in|abbr=on}} and a stroke of {{convert|140|mm|in|abbr=on}},<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="VVCPosthumus" /> giving a capacity of {{convert|7983|cc|cuin|abbr=on}}.<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="WMPCRobson" /><ref name="VVCPosthumus" /> The manufacturer claimed a maximum speed of approximately 125 mph (200 km/h).<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /> A four-speed [[manual transmission]]<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /><ref name="WMPCRobson" /> with a single-plate dry clutch sent power to the rear wheels. |
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The |
The 8-Litre chassis was available with either a {{convert|144|in|mm|abbr=on}} [[wheelbase]] or a longer {{convert|156|in|mm|abbr=on}} wheelbase.<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /> [[Leaf spring|Semi-elliptical springs]] were used on both axles, and all four wheels were fitted with servo-assisted [[drum brake]]s.<ref name="WMPCRobson" /> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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[[File:1931 Bentley 8 litre Vanden Plas Tourer.jpg|thumb|left|Bentley 8 Litre saloon with [[Vanden Plas]] coachwork.]] |
[[File:1931 Bentley 8 litre Vanden Plas Tourer.jpg|thumb|left|Bentley 8 Litre saloon with [[Vanden Plas]] coachwork.]] |
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⚫ | Launched at the London Olympia Motor Show in October 1930, a year after the onset of the [[Great Depression]], the 8 Litre Bentley failed to sell in sufficient numbers to repair Bentley's dire financial situation. The chassis was priced at £1,850,<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /> (the price of a generous architect-designed house with its site) making it expensive and exclusive. |
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⚫ | Only 100 of these cars were made,<ref name="AutoMotorundSport200106" /> of which 35 were on the shorter wheelbase and 65 were on the longer wheelbase.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} Fewer than 25 were fitted with open bodies.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} It is suggested{{who|date=March 2012}} that the cost of the development of the car was a prime reason for Bentley Motors going bankrupt.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | Only 100 of these cars were |
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⚫ | When Rolls-Royce bought the company in 1931, it immediately discontinued production of the 8-Litre<ref name="WMPCRobson" /> and disposed of all spare parts for it.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} |
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{{clearleft}} |
{{clearleft}} |
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==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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Their rarity means the complete cars are much sought after by collectors. It is believed the remarkable number of 78 chassis survive.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} Only one is known to have had an all-metal body from the outset.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} Completed by the W.M. Murphy Company of [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] for a customer in [[San Diego]], it was the only American-bodied car.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} Two were modified by McKenzie,{{who|date=March 2012}} who modified the engines and lowered the chassis; of these, one was recently sold by a London dealer, and the other is believed to be in India.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} |
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Revision as of 07:58, 23 March 2012
Bentley 8 Litre | |
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![]() Bentley 8-litre 1930 | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Bentley Motors Limited, Cricklewood, London |
Production | 1930–1931 100 produced |
Designer | Walter Owen Bentley |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Luxury car |
Layout | FR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | SOHC 8 L I6 |
Transmission | 4-speed[1] |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 138 in (3,505 mm) [1] 144 in (3,658 mm) [1] 156 in (3,962 mm) [1] |
The Bentley 8 Litre was the largest and most luxurious chassis manufactured by Bentley Motors Limited at Cricklewood, London. The 8 Litre was also the last completely new model by Bentley before its purchase by Rolls-Royce Limited to end the very successful car's competition with its Phantom.[2][3] Intended to be the basis for a super-luxury car for very wealthy buyers, the 8 Litre also had the misfortune to be introduced at the beginning of the Great Depression.[3] Sales were too slow to turn the company's finances around and less than nine months after its introduction Bentley Motors was in the hands of the receiver.
Design and specifications
The straight-six engine used a one-piece iron block and cylinder head with a crankcase made from Elektron, a magnesium alloy. The cylinder head featured an overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and twin-spark ignition, all of which were state-of-the-art at the time.[1][2] The engine had a bore of 110 mm (4.3 in) and a stroke of 140 mm (5.5 in),[1][3] giving a capacity of 7,983 cc (487.2 cu in).[1][2][3] The manufacturer claimed a maximum speed of approximately 125 mph (200 km/h).[1] A four-speed manual transmission[1][2] with a single-plate dry clutch sent power to the rear wheels.
The 8-Litre chassis was available with either a 144 in (3,700 mm) wheelbase or a longer 156 in (4,000 mm) wheelbase.[1] Semi-elliptical springs were used on both axles, and all four wheels were fitted with servo-assisted drum brakes.[2]
Reception
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/1931_Bentley_8_litre_Vanden_Plas_Tourer.jpg/220px-1931_Bentley_8_litre_Vanden_Plas_Tourer.jpg)
Launched at the London Olympia Motor Show in October 1930, a year after the onset of the Great Depression, the 8 Litre Bentley failed to sell in sufficient numbers to repair Bentley's dire financial situation. The chassis was priced at £1,850,[1] (the price of a generous architect-designed house with its site) making it expensive and exclusive.
Only 100 of these cars were made,[1] of which 35 were on the shorter wheelbase and 65 were on the longer wheelbase.[citation needed] Fewer than 25 were fitted with open bodies.[citation needed] It is suggested[who?] that the cost of the development of the car was a prime reason for Bentley Motors going bankrupt.[citation needed]
When Rolls-Royce bought the company in 1931, it immediately discontinued production of the 8-Litre[2] and disposed of all spare parts for it.[citation needed]
Legacy
Their rarity means the complete cars are much sought after by collectors. It is believed the remarkable number of 78 chassis survive.[citation needed] Only one is known to have had an all-metal body from the outset.[citation needed] Completed by the W.M. Murphy Company of Pasadena for a customer in San Diego, it was the only American-bodied car.[citation needed] Two were modified by McKenzie,[who?] who modified the engines and lowered the chassis; of these, one was recently sold by a London dealer, and the other is believed to be in India.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Achttausender". Auto, Motor und Sport. 2001 Heft 6: Seite 192–197. date 7 March 2001.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ a b c d e f Robson, Graham (1990). "Bentley 8-litre". The Worlds Most Powerful Cars. 6 Blundell Street, London N7 9BH: Quintet Publishing. pp. 24–27. ISBN 1-85076-254-6.
The Derby company was relieved when the trade depression killed off Bentley – and the 8-litre model was never revived by the new management.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d Posthumus, Cyril (1977) [1977]. "The End of an Era". The Story of Veteran & Vintage Cars. John Wood, illustrator. Feltham, Middlesex, UK: Hamlyn. p. 115. ISBN 06003915558.
{{cite book}}
: Check|isbn=
value: length (help)