The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

In a collaboration between Bentley Motors and The Little Car Company, the iconic Bentley Blower is reborn as the Bentley Blower Junior. The road-legal, 85 per cent scale re-creation of the 1929 model is handcrafted using authen- tic materials to match the original. It has a 15 kW electric motor as part of the 48 V electrical system, a range of 65 miles and a top speed of 45 mph, with tandem seating for two adults and dedicated luggage space for a weekend bag in the repurposed fuel tank with a lockable latch. What Drives This Power Model? In painted steel, the Bentley Blower Junior frame meas- ures 3.7 metres long and 1.4 metres wide, with an authentic classic specification. Its two-section bodywork consists of the rear body in carbon fibre rather than an ash frame, covered in impregnated fabric like the original. The alumin- ium bonnet with multiple cooling louvres is fastened with beautiful leather buckled bonnet straps. The two-person cockpit has a central adjustable driving position, and the passenger travelling behind in the rear seat. At the front of the car, the supercharger houses the charg- ing port connecting the onboard charger to any Type 1 or Type 2 socket. It’s surrounded by the famous Bentley mesh grille in an authentic nickel-plated radiator. Leaf springs and scaled-down, period-correct friction dampers bring a com- fortable ride, while Brembo disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear provide the stopping power. The electric motor is mounted across the rear axle, with the batteries and the drive electronics housed in a hidden under tray. Inside the Cabin A scaled-down replica of the original dashboard features Engine Turned Aluminium, a fine geometric pattern turned into metal as a finish. The fuel pressure pump is repurposed as the drive mode selector with Comfort (2 kW), Bentley (8 kW) or Sport for the maximum power of 15 kW. It has automatic modes: Forward, Neutral and Reverse, selected from a lever resembling the ignition advance control from the original Blower. The switchgear operates headlights and indicators taken from the form and materiality of the magneto switches of the Team Car, while the battery charge gauge recreated the original ammeter. A discreetly concealed USB charging point until required and a dual-function display serving as a Garmin satellite navigation screen and reversing camera complete the cabin. On the Outside  The 99 initially released models feature First Edition badging on the hood, door sill plate and dash with an engraved and numbered ‘1 of 99’ plaque. They’re finished in Blower Green, with matching painted chassis and wheels and a Union flag handprinted on both sides of the body like the original. The seats and interior are upholstered in Dark Green Lustrana Hide used by the Blower Continuation Series, with the side panel and radiator carrying the period-correct racing number and the steering wheel rope-bound. bitecars