BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB FORUM

I was under the impression that EXP2, as it exists today, was a magnificent reconstruction of the original car, although including a few parts from the actual car. Does it have anything approaching continuous history? I may be quite wrong, in which case my apologies to anyone I may be offending.

It was built up by the late Gordon Russell from a pile of parts, and may be sitting on a replica chassis frame.

Only production chassis No3 as sold to the first of the "Qs" ancestor, is the earliest all original car.

According to Tony Stamer in Review 96, April 1970 "the mortal remains of the oldest Bentley of all - Experimental No 2 - are owned by Tony Townshend of Ramsbury, Wilts. (Registration No BM 8752). The original 9ft 4in wheelbase frame has been replaced at some time by a standard 9ft 9½in (production type) version, and it has lost its original wooden bulkhead, but one sincerely hopes that this historic Bentley will be restored to its original specification and returned to the road."

I expect BM have already received a threatening letter from the zealot-wing of the club accusing them of owning a fake Bentley. Given the other challenges facing VAG, they may feel that is the least of their worries.

The same article also reminds us that Chassis 3, engine 4 was the first Bentley delivered to a customer, Mr Ivor Llewellyn of Newport, on 3.8.21. The official "first" Bentley, chassis 1, was delivered to Noel van Raalte 43 days later and was actually the third. Chassis 1 had been allocated to van Raalte on account of him being a jolly nice chap (I summarise). Perhaps the two owners who got theirs before him did a better job of persuading their coachbuilders to let them jump the queue?

Stephen, from the information in your posting, it would appear that EXP has some form of continous history, I don't have any problem with cars where their replacement parts constitute virtually the complete car. Stuff wears out, gets damaged and is renewed.
John.

There are some colour pictures of (the VW) XP2 in the James Taylor 4 Cylinder Cars book, and very interesting gen in the Special Bentleys 1,Bible at p16 giving the history, and being rebuilt by Gordon Russell.

The article states that Dr Tim Houlding wrote a full account of this car as "The Legends and the Thunder", so has anyone got a copy?

I have a copy of The Legends and the Thunder

So have I .

It was written in 1982. Then, it says that the car is "in a dismantled state". The original parts are engine, radiator, bonnet, rear axle, petrol tank, steering column, gearbox, propshaft with dynamo and speedo drives and numerous chassis fittings. Significant missing parts were the 9' 4" chassis frame, body, wooden bulkhead and brakeless front axle.

Much of the history between 1923 and the 1950s is missing, including the time when the chassis was replaced.

Interesting very interesting, I forgot that I had a copy, liked the heating coils on the inlet manifold. The text states that Harry Foden suffered a piston failure on the trip North, see b/w picture above.

Does anyone have any details on the Gordon Russell in the 1990 extract, who rebuilt the car? Not the already deceased furniture designer.

The car with its new German owners, and 1922 engine.





Paul,thanks for the tip.