1930 W.O. Bentley Blower 4.5
First registered June 1930: GJ 6301
Original and current UK Registration: GJ 6301
Original Chassis number: AD3665
Original Engine number: AD3661
Between 1927 and 1931, the Bentley Motors Company of Cricklewood, London produced a total of 667 4.5-liter cars, which included this 1930 model equipped with a Saloon Body by Maythorn. As supercharged cars were introduced, several components of the standard version were upgraded to make them nearly identical to the supercharged counterparts.
To create the final version of the 4.5-liter model, known as the Blower Bentley, modifications like a heavier crankshaft and reinforced chassis were required. This development was influenced by Sir Tim Birkin, a renowned racing driver who convinced Bentley to manufacture 50 examples of this model, in addition to five cars constructed at Birkin's Works. Four of these five cars formed his Racing Team.
The initial owner of this particular car was Mr. D.D. Williams, who diligently cared for it throughout the 1930s. Bentley Motors provided regular maintenance during his ownership.
After World War II, the car came into the possession of H.J.K. Townshend, a distinguished vintage Bentley restorer known for his exceptional work. His reputation was such that owners of original Team Racing Bentleys entrusted him with their vehicles, even for the reconstruction of the two short chassis Birkin Team Blowers. Townshend was the ideal person to fit this Bentley with a period-correct Vanden Plas 'Le Mans' Tourer body type, complete with full wings.
In 1967, Townshend sold the car to J.C. Lock, who later transferred ownership to P.G. in the late 1970s.
In the late 1980s, the vehicle was acquired by Stanley Mann, the world's leading Bentley specialist at the time, for his personal collection. Mann personally undertook a comprehensive rebuild of the car, meticulously attending to every detail to transform it into a top-notch Racing Blower Bentley.
Chassis number AD3665 of the Racing Blower Bentley is a completely matching numbers vehicle, with identical components in the chassis, engine, axles, and gearbox. It's worth noting that this Bentley shares all the key features of the Blown cars, including a special heavy crank engine and a D-Type racing gearbox. This 4.5-liter Bentley has been superbly rebuilt and closely resembles a factory Birkin Racing Blower Bentley, coming as close as possible to the original 50 units produced.
