1931 Bentley 8-Liter Tourer

As its car building progressed, Bentley would go on to produce models of 4.5 liters and 6.5-liters and finally, between 1930 and 1931, the mighty 8-Litre. The 8-Litre was basically an enlarged version of the Speed Six. It had a new lower chassis frame, with outset rear springs and an 'F' series gearbox differing from all previous Bentley designs with its casing split down the center, as opposed to the square box with a lid on top which was used in all earlier cars. This layout allowed for larger bearings which provided extra strength and reduced nose.

The first 8-Litres appeared at the Olympia Motor Show in October 1930 and created a sensation. This magnificent machine would top 100 mph with limousine coachwork and eight people inside.

The 8-Litre was clearly aimed to go head-to-head with the Rolls-Royce Phantom II, challenging to be the best car in the world, although many were impressed by the fact that the Bentley outperformed the supercharged Mercedes of that time - on both acceleration and maximum speed - but it performed with a silence that was uncanny.

Bentley Motors effectively ended in 1931 when the company notified London Life that it would be unable to make its June 30th mortgage payment.