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“Car Zero” is what Bentley is calling the just-completed prototype for its Blower Continuation Series of 12 such vehicles to be produced, and the first “Blower Bentleys” built by the factory since 1930.
“After 40,000 hours of work, Bentley Mulliner has today completed the first new Bentley Blower in 90 years, with the delivery of Car Zero – the prototype car for the Blower Continuation Series,” the company said in its announcement.
“This highly exclusive run of 12 customer cars – all pre-sold — will be crafted from the design drawings and tooling jigs used for the original four Blowers built and raced by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin in the late 1920s. Specifically, Bentley’s own Team Car (Chassis HB 3403, engine SM 3902, registration UU 5872 – Team Car #2) has provided the master model for the Continuation Series, with every single component laser-scanned as part of a wheels-up, sympathetic restoration.”
Bentley said 1,846 parts, including 230 complete assemblies, such as the engine, had to be hand-crafted for the first continuation car, which will undergo “an extensive test and durability program — including a run to top speed” before the start of the build of the 12 customer cars.
“Blower Car Zero is a dedicated test and development prototype, built in advance of the 12 customer cars, and will be subjected to months of durability and performance testing,” the company said after Bentley chairman and chief executive Adrian Hallmark drove the car down Pyms Lane in Crewe.
“Today was a truly remarkable day, not just as a milestone in the Blower Continuation Series project but also for Bentley Motors,” Hallmark said. “To drive the first new Blower in 90 years was a privilege, and the quality of the car would make Sir Tim Birkin himself proud. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and I’m pleased to report that the car drives just as beautifully as our original Team Car.
“It was also significant that I could drive the new Blower down Pyms Lane, now part of our main site as we expand to create the new Bentley campus. Investing in our headquarters is vital both for Bentley’s future and for Crewe, and our new developments and buildings are a physical manifestation of the exciting future before us as we start our journey to become the world leader in sustainable luxury mobility.”
Bentley added that the Blower Continuation Series is the first “customer-facing project delivered by the new Bentley Mulliner Classic portfolio, one of three new divisions of Mulliner alongside Coachbuilt (currently developing the equally exclusive Bacalar) and Collections (responsible for the Continental GT Mulliner).
For more information, visit the Bentley Mulliner website.
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