What Sets Apart the 85% Scale Recreation of Bentley’s Most Famous Car from the Original, and What’s the Driving Experience Like?

Bentley Motors and The Little Car Company unveiled a road-legal, 85 per cent scale recreation of the most famous Bentley in the world.

What Inspired Bentley Motors and The Little Car Company to Create a Road-Legal Miniature Version of Their Most Iconic Model?

Bentley Motors and The Little Car Company unveiled a road-legal, 85 per cent scale recreation of the most famous Bentley in the world. ‘Blower Jnr’, a recreation of the 1929 4½-litre Supercharged Team Car No. 2 in Bentley’s heritage Collection, is the first road-legal car from The Little Car Company and the most sophisticated city car ever built.

In a world where cars are continually growing larger and more imposing, Bentley Motors and The Little Car Company have defied the trend by introducing something quite the opposite: a scaled-down sensation that’s big on charm, nostalgia, and innovation. Enter the Blower Jnr, a road-legal recreation of the iconic 1929 4½-litre Supercharged Team Car No. 2 from Bentley’s illustrious heritage collection. This collaboration marks not only The Little Car Company’s first foray into road-legal vehicles but also introduces the most sophisticated city car ever built.

A Miniature Masterpiece

Bentley and The Little Car Company have spared no expense in crafting this miniature marvel. Hand-crafted to the same exacting standards as any full-sized Bentley, Blower Jnr is a feat of engineering and craftsmanship. Under the hood, you’ll find a 15 kW (20 bhp) electric motor powered by a 48V system, offering a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and EU (25 mph in the USA due to regulations) and an impressive range of approximately 65 miles. It may be compact, but it’s a genuine road-worthy vehicle with tandem seating for two adults.

A Blast from the Past

Blower Jnr is not merely a shrunken replica; it’s a faithful homage to the original Team Car. Its steel frame supports leaf springs and period-correct friction dampers, delivering a comfortable ride. Brembo disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear provide surefooted stopping power. The electric motor is strategically positioned over the rear axle, while batteries and drive electronics are discreetly housed beneath.

The bodywork, a blend of carbon fiber and impregnated fabric, mirrors the original. The bonnet, with its cooling louvres, is meticulously handcrafted in aluminum, secured with leather buckled bonnet straps. The cockpit, with its 1+1 layout, boasts an adjustable driving position for the pilot, while the passenger enjoys a rear seat. An optional bespoke weekend bag nestles behind, fitting perfectly in the repurposed fuel tank complete with a lockable latch.

Beneath the Surface

Under the Bentley grille lies a surprise – the charging port, concealed within the supercharger housing. The interior exudes old-world charm with an engine-turned aluminum dashboard. The fuel pressure pump has a new role as the drive mode selector, offering Comfort (2 kW), Bentley (8 kW), or Sport (15 kW) modes. Even the switchgear for headlights and indicators replicates the magneto switches from the original Team Car. A discreetly hidden USB charging point and a dual-function display, acting as a Garmin satellite navigation screen and reversing camera, complete the cabin’s modern touches.

The First Edition

The first 99 Blower Jnr examples are designated as First Edition models. They proudly display ‘First Edition’ badging on the hood, door sill plate, and dash, along with an engraved and numbered ‘1 of 99’ plaque. All First Editions sport the iconic Blower Green finish, matching painted chassis and wheels, and a hand-painted Union flag on each side. The Dark Green Lustrana Hide upholstery harks back to the materials used by Mulliner for the Blower Continuation Series. A rope-bound steering wheel and period-correct racing numbers complete this nostalgic package.

The original supercharged 4½-litre ‘Blower’ Bentley, like Blower Jnr, was a game-changer in the automotive world.

While it may not have won endurance races, it was unquestionably the fastest race car of its time. Its influence even reached the world of literature, with Ian Fleming deciding that James Bond would drive a supercharged 4½-litre Bentley. This vehicle, with its supercharger and 240 bhp, was the brainchild of Sir Tim Birkin, a racing driver and Bentley enthusiast. He convinced Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato to produce 55 supercharged 4½-litre Bentleys, five of which were designated for competition.

The original Team Car No. 2, with its illustrious racing history, inspired the exclusive Blower Continuation Series, which painstakingly recreated the magic of this iconic vehicle. It’s a legacy that lives on, and the Blower Jnr is the latest addition to this illustrious lineage.

Monterey Car Week Debut

Blower Jnr had its grand debut at Monterey Car Week 2023, captivating the hearts of 100 VIPs. Production is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2024, starting with the limited run of 99 First Edition models.