It's as ugly as the British bulldog and just as iconic. You want a bowler hat and umbrella doing your best jaunty John Steed and drive off in this 1929 4.5 liter supercharged Bentley Blower. Its plus was the Villiers supercharger that gave the 4 cylinder engine 175 hp. Its minus: It weighed 2 tons. It had some notable successes but couldn't last driven flat out in endurance races like Le Mans where it dueled neck and neck with Caracciola' Mercedes until they both dropped out. Tim Birkin, who commissioned 50 of these Blowers over W.O. Bentley's objections, complained that "the supercharger ate spark plugs like a donkey eats hay". Hence the normally aspirated 6.5 liter "Speed Six" was much more successful in endurance racing actually winning the 1930 Le Mans. This Franklin Mint model, although a bit long in the tooth, was quite a surprise when released with a exceptional parts count and beautifully scaled. Reviews had this much older 1/24 comparing well with a much more recent Minichamps model in 1/18. If this is an era you collect, it's definitely a 'must have'.
It's as ugly as the British bulldog and just as iconic. You want a bowler hat and umbrella doing your best jaunty John Steed and drive of in the 1929 4.5 liter supercharged Bentley Blower. Its plus was the Villiers supercharger that gave the 4 cylinder engine 175 hp. Its minus: It weighed 2 tons. It had some notable successes but couldn't last driven flat out in endurance races like Le Mans where it dueled neck and neck with Caracciola' Mercedes until they both dropped out. Tim Birkin, who commissioned 50 of these Blowers over W.O. Bentley's objections, complained that "the supercharger ate spark plugs like a donkey eats hay". Hence the normally aspirated 6.5 liter "Speed Six" was much more successful in endurance racing actually winning the 1930 Le Mans. This Franklin Mint model, although a bit long in the tooth, was quite a surprise when released with a exceptional parts count and beautifully scaled. Reviews had this much older 1/24 comparing well with a much more recent Minichamps model in 1/18. If this is an era you collect, it's definitely a 'must have'.
Oh shite... John Steed and Emma Peel were my most favorite TV characters growing up...
What a GREAT TV program that was !
IMO, way ahead of its time and not appreciated by many !
Magnificent model, wish that I had this one. I do have several versions, the largest being in plastic by Airfix. The rest are 1/43. Loved the Avengers too but that one wasn’t a Blower version.
Magnificent model, wish that I had this one. I do have several versions, the largest being in plastic by Airfix. The rest are 1/43. Loved the Avengers too but that one wasn’t a Blower version.
Is the Airfix like a 1/12 scale? I've had that kit for maybe 35 years. I bought it at a close out and never attempted assembly.
@chav Is it the 4.5? It looks like it. Great pics.
Actually 6.5, I though it was 4.5. Notice, Hagerty made these stupid plaques that you have to use with a smartphone, I didn't look up any car info while at the show.
