The Bentley Pace Six continuation vehicles at the moment are in manufacturing, bringing again a design that first appeared over 9 a long time in the past.

Bentley unveiled the prototype Pace Six continuation automotive final yr, however is now engaged on the primary of 12 buyer vehicles, all of which have already been offered, the automaker stated in a press launch. Every automotive will take 10 months to construct, Bentley estimates.

Manufacturing is being dealt with by Bentley’s Mulliner personalization division, with assist from exterior suppliers, all utilizing period-correct supplies and instruments. For instance, Bentley commissioned particular tooling to press the Pace Six’s metal body rails and crossmembers, a course of that by itself took six months, in line with the automaker.

1930 Bentley Pace Six Continuation Sequence manufacturing

As with the unique vehicles, handmade ash-wood bodywork wrapped in cloth is mounted on the chassis. The continuation vehicles are then fitted with headlights, radiators, and gasoline tanks equipped by restoration specialists. The latter is created from hand-beaten metal and copper.

The 6.5-liter inline-6 is recreated utilizing 3D fashions generated from the unique blueprints. This engine made about 200 hp in its day, whereas the continuation vehicles produce 205 hp. Output might have been raised even additional with fashionable supplies, in line with Bentley, however the automaker wished the continuation vehicles to be as near the originals as attainable.

The Pace Six is among the vehicles that helped create the Bentley legend. Launched in 1928, it gained the 24 Hours of Le Mans that yr and in 1930. Wold Barnato, then head of the corporate, additionally used a sedan-bodied Pace Six to race a practice throughout France in 1930. Barnato and co-driver Dale Bourne lined 570 miles, averaging 43.4 mph on unpaved roads.

1930 Bentley Pace Six Continuation Sequence manufacturing

The continuation vehicles, Bentley’s second continuation venture following fashionable examples of the 1929 Bentley Blower, used two unique vehicles as templates: GU409, which is owned by the corporate, and “Outdated Quantity 3,” the 1930 Le Mans winner, which was made out there by its proprietor for this objective. The continuation vehicles incorporate adjustments made in interval to enhance reliability for the 1929 and 1930 Le Mans races.

The shopper vehicles additionally profit from testing of the prototype Pace Six continuation automotive, which went by means of 40 hours of engine testing, 6,213 miles of sturdiness testing, and top-speed runs the place it achieved 112 mph.