4.5 LTR BENTLEY BLOWER The first 4.5 ltr Bentley was an up engined 3 ltr car built for Le Mans. Production 4.5 ltr cars had a more robust chassis carrying a larger body. The 4.5 ltr was the most popular with the 'Bentley Boys' because of its superb handling and won the following events. 1927 24hr GP de Paris, 1928 Le Mans and 1929 Brooklands 500 miles. (By removing the supercharger between the dumb irons some of these cars can be produced from this kit) It is well documented that Tim Birkin added a Roots type supercharger to a total of 3 cars which were to be run by the Rt Hon Dorothy Paget (one later being converted to the Birkin Bentley subject of kit RB5) W.O Bentley authorized the completion of a further fifty so that the Birkin cars would be eligible for Le Mans in 1929. The cars were not ready for the 1929 race but in 1930 the race between Birkin and Caracciola in a 7 ltr Mercedes is the stuff of legends. The Blower's speed was never in doubt but they failed to acheive the reliability for endurance racing. One of the most impressive results was the 1930 Formula Libre French Grand Prix at Pau. Birkin entered a stripped 2 ton Blower and finished 2nd in a field of proper GP cars. The winner Etancelin (Type 35 Bugatti) crossed the line as his clutch disintigrated and could not have completed another lap. THE MODEL State of the art precision lightweight resin body with mudguards moulded integrally. Stainless steel photo etched windscreen frames and light brackets. White metal radiator, steering wheel, headlight bowls, handbrake and filler cap. Vac formed light lenses and decals. PENELOPE'S TIPS SM1L chassis, VR1 wheels and PEW3 inserts
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