1931 Bentley 8-Liter at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

European Classic Open 1925-1939

European Classic Closed 1925-1939

Prewar Sports and Racing

Prewar Preservation

Postwar Preservation Through 1967

Ferrari Grand Touring

Ferrari Competition

Aston Martin Historic Display

Aston Martin Postwar Race Cars

Aston Martin Postwar Road Cars

Aston Martin Postwar Coachbuilt Cars

Postwar Custom Coachwork Sports

The 10-liter+ Club

Postwar Sports and Racing

Brooklands Centennial Celebration

European Classic Open 1925-1939 Vehicles

1928 Isotta Fraschini 8A SS

1930 Minerva AL

1931 Bentley 8-Liter

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K

1937 Delahaye 135M

1938 Delage D8-120

1939 Bugatti Type 57

Information on the 1931 Bentley 8-Liter

More photographs of the 1931 Bentley 8-Liter

The 8 Litre Bentley was the largest and most luxurious Bentley made. It was conceived as somewhat similar to the Bugatti Royale and was to catapult Bentley into a position of a supreme manufacturer of luxury automobiles.

This is the only 8-Litre Bentley to be clothed with an American-made body. It was a special order for a gentlemen from Santa Barbara, California. When made, it was also the only Bentley to have all-metal bodywork. In 1931 the chassis was shipped by W.O. Bentley's company to another Walter - the W.M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, where this Franklin Hershey-designed Victoria convertible body was fitted. Victoria convertibles are basically two door, two window, roadsters seating at least four people. Only one hundred 8-Litre Bentleys were built, and they were amongst the most powerful cars of their day.

Of the 100 8-Liter Bentleys built, 35 were on a 145-inch wheelbase and 65 were on a 153-inch wheelbase. Very few of the original 8 Liters were open cars; fewer still were two-door open Victorias. One of the short wheelbase chassis was ordered by C.H. Mattheson of Santa Barbara, CA, for delivery to the Walter P. Murphy Coachworks. The body was designed by the famous Franklin Q. Hershey, and the coachwork was crafted out of alloy without using a wood substructure as was the practice of contemporary English coachbuilders.

Only 100 8 Litres were built - 65 long wheelbase and 35 short wheelbase. This car is a one-off all-alloy short wheelbase. It is one of only six open two-door 8 Litres.

Also photographed at :

The Blackhawk Collection at Pebble Beach >> 1914-1932

The Blackhawk Collection at Pebble Beach >> 8 Litre Bentley

The Blackhawk Collection at Pebble Beach >> European Classic Pre-War

	Site Map \| Contact \| About Us \| Terms Of Use / Privacy Policy \| Links \| carAuctionValues
	Vehicles \| Wallpaper \| Events \| Price Guide \| Motorsports \| Articles
	Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production. © 1998-2013 Conceptcarz.com