1930 Bentley 8-Litre two-seater special
- Engine
- 8.0L inline-six
This Bentley 8-Litre, powered by engine YF5006, began life as an H.J. Mulliner Weymann fabric saloon exhibited at the 1930 Olympia Motor Show. Its chassis, steering box, and radiator shell originate from YM5029, and it was subsequently rebuilt as an open two-seater by a Mr. Sutherland — a conversion noted by historian Clare Hay. Owned in the early 1960s by enthusiast Frank Sowden, who drove it daily and raced it at Silverstone, Oulton Park, and Harewood Hill Climb, the car later passed to Victor Gauntlett before entering long-term private ownership during which the engine was comprehensively rebuilt in 2009.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$423,000
- 1930 →Factory deliverySir William Crawfordpartial documentation
Original recipient of the car following its display at the 1930 Olympia Motor Show; car was delivered in H.J. Mulliner Weymann fabric saloon configuration.
- → 1983Private saleVictor Gauntlettpartial documentation
Purchased through dealer Dan Margulies; by this point the car had been updated to road-going configuration with fenders, headlamps, and a canvas hood.
- 1983 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Has maintained the car in good running condition; commissioned a full engine rebuild by Neil Davies Historic Racing in 2009 including new block, crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr. Sutherlandpartial documentation
Responsible for rebuilding the car into its current two-seater form, incorporating chassis, steering box, and radiator shell from Bentley YM5029, as documented by Bentley historian Clare Hay.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFrank Sowdenpartial documentation
Acquired the car in the early 1960s and used it as a daily driver as well as for competition at various venues including Silverstone, Oulton Park, and Harewood Hill Climb.
Competition
- 1964Harewood Hill ClimbDriver: Frank Sowden3rd in class
Beaten only by two E-Type Jaguars within the class.
- —Silverstone circuit racingDriver: Frank Sowden
One of several venues where the owner competed during his tenure in the early-to-mid 1960s.
- —Oulton Park circuit racingDriver: Frank Sowden
Competed alongside Silverstone as part of regular motorsport participation during the early-to-mid 1960s.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2009Engine rebuildNeil Davies Historic Racing
Full engine overhaul using a replacement block, crankshaft, crankshaft housing, connecting rods, and pistons.
Commissioned by the current owner to ensure the car's continued long-term usability.
- —Modification
Car was rebuilt from the original Weymann fabric saloon into an open two-seater, using chassis components, steering box, and radiator shell sourced from Bentley YM5029.
Work attributed to a Mr. Sutherland; conversion noted by historian Clare Hay.
- —Modification
Car was further updated to roadgoing open configuration, receiving cycle-type fenders, headlamps, and a canvas emergency hood.
Carried out prior to or during Victor Gauntlett's ownership.
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