Bentley 8 Litre (1930–1931)

De Bentley 8 Liter It was built between 1930 and 1932 as the brand's most prestigious and technically advanced luxury model. It was the last fully in-house development before Bentley was acquired by Rolls-Royce. Only 100 examples left the factory, featuring an imposing inline six-cylinder engine of nearly 8 liters and an innovative braking system for its time.

Bentley 8 litre 1931

History and background

The 8 Litre is considered WO Bentley's masterpiece — but at the same time marked the end of a chapter for the first Bentley Motors.

Announced on September 15, 1930, the 8 Litre was also Bentley's last completely new model before the financial collapse and forced sale to Rolls-Royce Limited.

Unveiled at the Olympia Motor Show in October 1930, the majestic 8 Litre was a development of the highly successful 6½ Litre, which in Speed ​​Six form had given Bentley two Le Mans victories. Designed to carry the most luxurious coachwork and to perform with greater comfort, smoothness, and silence.

Unfortunately, the launch of the 8 Litre at the London Motor Show of 1930 was poorly timed. The Great Depression was taking its toll on luxury cars, and Bentley found itself in a very tight financial situation. Remarkably, they managed to produce 100 examples of the 8 Litre before reality set in.

Rolls-Royce acquired the company shortly thereafter and immediately halted production of the 8 Litre, as it was considered a direct competitor to the Phantom II. The most beautiful and powerful Bentley ever built was taken off the market by its new owners — not because it wasn't good enough, but because it was too good.

Bentley 8-liter convertible 1930

Design and interior

The 7.938 cc displacement was achieved by increasing the bore of the 6½ Litre's inline six engine, and the crankcase was made of Elektron, a magnesium alloy, to save weight.

All chassis were delivered as bare, roadworthy chassis — the buyer arranged their own bodywork. The wheelbase varied from 134 to 152,5 inches, with three examples receiving the shorter 138-inch wheelbase.

WO Bentley's personal 8 Litre was mounted on a 12-foot wheelbase chassis with a Weymann cloth-upholstered body, which gave him “my most memorable drive of all time”.

Inside, the 8 Litre was the pinnacle of British craftsmanship — Connolly leather, burr walnut wood, and a level of finish that satisfied even the most discerning buyer. Each example was bespoke — no two 8 Litres were identical.

Model variants

Bentley 8 Litre standard (1930–1932) — long wheelbase:

The most produced model on the 140-inch wheelbase. Suitable for the most imposing enclosed body styles — limousines, saloons, and formal state cars.

Bentley 8 Litre short chassis — only three examples:

Only three examples were built on the shortest 138-inch wheelbase. Sportier body styles were possible due to the shorter wheelbase.

Barnato's 8 Litre Tourer (1931) — the most famous example:

YR5095 was delivered to Woolf Barnato and was built to his specifications for his honeymoon in the USA. Unique features include a folding windscreen, dual rear-mounted spare wheels, a complete tool kit, suitcases, and a French pillar swivel headlight. At Barnato's request, all the chrome work was finished in copper.

Barnato's second 8 Litre (YX5119) — the race car that never raced:

Built as a one-off race car for its first owner, Captain Vivian Hewitt. Unique features include an oversized fuel tank and an external exhaust. Captain Hewitt passed away before the car was completed and it never raced.

The engine produced 220 hp at 3.300 rpm. Twin SU carburetors, twin-spark magneto and scavenging ignition, Autovac fuel lift system. Displacement: 7.983 cc. Fuel tank: 25 gallons standard — 30 gallons long-range tank.

Competitors

The 8 Litre competed in the absolute top segment of the early 1930s. Direct competitors were:

• Rolls-Royce Phantom II — the direct reason why Rolls-Royce discontinued the 8 Litre after the takeover
• Hispano-Suiza J12
• Bugatti Type 41 Royale
• Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 500

Successor model

A Bentley 4 Litre with a 4-liter inline-six engine in a shortened chassis was announced on May 15, 1931 — a desperate attempt to save Bentley's finances. Introduced a year into the Great Depression, the 8-liter and its smaller 4-liter sibling failed to turn the company's finances around.

After the takeover by Rolls-Royce, the Bentley 3½ Litre appeared in 1933 — a modified Rolls-Royce 20/25. The era of the large Cricklewood Bentleys was definitively over.