Abbott Continental?

Barrie Warrener · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:30 pm Post subject: Abbott Continental?

I'm rather puzzled by this.

It's advertised as an Abbott Continental but I can't find any reference to Abbott making anything other than standard chassis.
http://www.goodtimer.ch/Fahrzeugangebot/Bentley-Continental-Abbott.html
The chassis plate is odd too.

Of course I'm hindered by by not being able to read Swiss.
Can anyone shed any light?

James O'Neil · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:09 am Post subject:

Barrie, according to Original Rolls-Royce and Bentley 1946-65, by James Taylor (p. 156):

"Just one of Abbott's 13 bodies for R-type chassis was a drophead coupe. This was on chassis B18RT. All the others were sleek and stylish two-door saloons, of a style which is sometimes incorrectly asociated with the Continental chassis, perhaps because Abbott was allowed to use the lower Continental radiator and steering column."

There follows a list of chassis numbers, which includes B263SP.

The chassis (including engine, transmission and suspension) would therefore appear to be standard R-type, apart from the radiator and steering column angle, and the car is not really a Continental. The absence of a tachometer is also noticeable.

Regards,

James

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:28 am Post subject:

James is quite correct except that the final drive is the later R Type 12:41 and not the Continental 13:40, which is a bit of an advantage, as the Continental 13:40 makes the cars rather sluggish at driving off.
So much so that Donald Campbell specified a 12:41 axle for his Continental.
All the MK VI and R Type family are sluggish "to get going", with the 2 ton body 1/2 ton of passengers and brick like "aerodynamics", the only MK VI that can be called a Sports Saloon is the 1946/47 cars with the high lift camshaft, and boy do they go!!!

Although Abbot had a good working relationship with R-R there was a threat of legal action in 1953 because of the "Continental" appearance, but it was resolved by Abbot agreeing to a lesser specification.

The bulkhead chassis plate is a fake, R-R only ever gave the number as BC----. .

The S----- Garage offered one about 3 years ago and the owner published his vehement denial that the Coupe was not a correct Continental.

(Like the Mulliner Fastback, they are not all what they seem, and the Racing Green recreation of the Continental is a copy of the prototype, OLGA with the slightly higher roof line).

James O'Neil · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 2:32 pm Post subject:

Further information available here:
https://www.bdcl.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1431&highlight=abbott

James

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject:

B (Note no "C") 263SP was delivered to Gibraltar and "resided" latterly in Switzerland.

(Back to the grind).

Barrie Warrener · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chris, a very fulsome reply.
Do you mean M***** of S****** G***** in W****** B*****?
If so I know of the car you refer to and the controversy it caused. I didn't know of the owners plea though.
All noted about the lack of a C - I think some vendors make up for it though (that's 'clot' in case you're wondering)
Why do they do it? It's a perfectly good and interesting car in its own right without bigging it up into something it's not.
I was rather hoping someone had gone the whole hog and actually turned it into a Continental.
Thanks to James too for the link..... I loved Robert Geelen's comment of 'Mock-Continental' I think that's known as damning with faint praise.

Martin Webster · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:56 pm Post subject:

I visited the S.... G.... Some years ago and was offered a very superannuated JY MkVI that had been tarted up smelled of burned oil and had copious quantities of Waxoil slapped everywhere it should not. When I asked the cantankerous vendor if he would object to an engineering inspection by a Club officer he virtually ran me off the premises. Surprised he's still in business.
B88HR

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 9:34 am Post subject:

Barrie,

You can't turn these cars into proper Continentals, they will never have the chassis stamp of BC.

Not quite your Arthur "Daley", more like a junkyard dog?

Do you remember him (George Cole) in the original St Trinians?

Barrie Warrener · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 2:47 pm Post subject:

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 5:21 pm Post subject:

St Leonard's Hall in Edinburgh, housed St Trinneans girls school from the 1920,s up until WW11, and Searle was inspired by that name.

Martin Webster · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 5:22 pm Post subject:

Barrie, Here is a rough translation of the text of the Abbot advert,The two-door Abbott Lightweight Coupe, based on the Bentley R-Type chassis, represents a special episode of the British automotive history of the 50s. The vehicles with the design number. 3843, built between late 1952 and early 1955 in an edition of 14 copies (and a prototype), also document the high point in the history of was established in 1929 and emerged from the aircraft industry company ED Abbott LDT. headquartered in Farnham, Surrey.
In Abbott of Farnham Coachbuilder & Engineers had at that time been working on a body design to set with the aim of the body in large numbers on the chassis of the new Bentley Continental. All the more so as they had built in advance in close consultation with the business a promising prototypes based on the Bentley Mark VI with the name "Bentley Farnham». In addition, a number Bentley Mark VI had already been provided by Abbott with very attractive convertible constructions which were very well received. It was therefore not unreasonable, if Abbott on familiar that in the near future also a contingent of Bentley Continental chassis would available to respond as "Abbott Continental" in the story.
This specimen comes from 2. Swiss collector hands and has been immaculately restored with incredible scope in Switzerland. The immaculate classics can both take on long trips and enjoy as participate in all Concours d'Elegance. For sightseeing and Detailed information I ask for an appointment in advance. The car will be presented in the "Gala d'Elegance" from Goodtimer.
B88HR

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:18 am Post subject:

It reads a bit like Geoffrey Chaucer, upon reading the Domesday Surveys.

A fanciful tale created in the manner of the old monks money spinning fictional account of Joseph of Arimathea bring the now long dead thorn, and King Arthur, based on an ancient French romance.
(It is true, that traders from the Levant visited Cornwall to buy tin, copper from Wales, etc.)
Like the Jesus fiction, they linger on as Holy Writ, whatever that is.

John Robins · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:46 am Post subject:

Well put. I tend to use another more spherical word for these motor copers' fictions.

Barrie Warrener · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:58 am Post subject:

I found reading it a bit like eating chair wadding ie a lot of effort and no nourishment at the end of it.
To add a bit of flavour back to the thread here's a view of the Mock-Continental's rear.

Thinking about it seriously though some poor chap is going to buy this car believing he's got a Continental and announce same at a Club meeting to a chorus of people laughing behind their hands.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 3:50 pm Post subject:

My thoughts fazakerley. See the number? Ohyeah Zoo.

( They can only be dressing up a basically decent coachbuilt R Type Coupe into deliberately cheating the "punter"), but there is a load of fools with too much money and no sense, "out there".

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 3:55 pm Post subject:

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 3:56 pm Post subject:

Finally able to put a picture on! The latest project.

Barrie Warrener · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:46 pm Post subject:

I must say I'm slightly fascinated about this Abbott malarkey and have started researching some of their work.
Some was wonderful like this Delahaye
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Others awful like this Ferrari 212 (a V12 of about 2.5 litres)
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The subject Benley is very impressive in these period colours

But even Abbott weren't above trying to associate themselves with the name of Continental.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 11:40 am Post subject:

The early B146 DA,MK VI 3 position DHC is what made Abbott famous. It is (or was) owned by the Secretary to the Dutch branch. He and his friend Dr P-P S, came to me for a replacement gearbox in 2010.
It was photographed outside Doorn Town Hall.

Barrie Warrener · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:20 pm Post subject:

A shame that the 'Farnham' no longer survives as it would have been an interesting reminder of the 50's 'new world' design.
The Mark VI looks very jolly especially in red although the rear looks unresolved - a bit like one of the Capt. McLeod Bentleys with a truncated derry aire.
A better line in my opinion is this Abbott spotted in Luxembourg.

A bit flashy in the French style but quite appealing.
I've driven this and one other Abbbott but never been comfortable in either because you tend to sit on the seat rather than in it.

John Robins · Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 7:28 pm Post subject:

Sorry to introduce a diversion, but I don't recognise Mr C's new engine project. Please put me out of my misery.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:57 am Post subject:

John,

A 3 1/2 litre Derby engine from the 1934, Barker sedanca coupe Show Car, Day 2.
More to follow, including the resident project on about Day 402.

John Robins · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:18 am Post subject:

Thanks Chris.

Never had anything to do with Derby Bentleys so I didn't really have any information to start from. I wonder how many ham fisted tinkerers have cross threaded spark plugs when servicing the cars over the years? The location under the manifold, plus the high wing to bonnet panels popular at the time looks like a recipe for a disaster.