Salon Prive Hurlingham - London, 2009

In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

"YR5092 when she was in my ownership 2002-2005"

Bentley Golden Jubilee trip to Le Mans 1969

 

Rather like a bespoke suit this car was built to the specific instructions of Mr. Cook in an effort to produce the ideal form of fast Vintage motoring.

The car was originally a saloon found lying derelict in the corner of a London car park by Geoffrey Kramer. Air. Cook had always wanted a car on the lines of the Forrest-Lycett 8-litre and this provided an ideal medium for such an exercise.

The complete project was personally executed by Mr. Fred Hoffman with the help of a few specialists and the first operation was to reduce the wheelbase. The chassis frame was shortened to the Le Mans Speed Six length of 11' 2" (this being a known dimension to give the best handling characteristics) from its original length of 13'. The scuttle was then lowered to provide the minimum bonnet height, the space between the rocker cover and the bonnet being only 1 1/2 inches.

The finished article was even better than originally planned, much to Mr. Cook's delight and provides him with what must be considered to be the ultimate in practical A to B Vintage transport.

Shattering performance from the 8-litre engine provides an effortless 95 mph cruising speed at 3,000 rpm and a top speed of 120 mph, on its current rear axle. It is truly a superb tribute to the Bentley company for whom the 8-litre was to be their last pure model.