Bentley Blower

The Bentley Blower refers to a series of racing cars produced by the British automaker Bentley Motors in the 1920s. The most famous and iconic of these cars is the Bentley 4½ Litre Supercharged, which is often simply called the "Bentley Blower." It gained this nickname due to the supercharger fitted to its engine.

Here are some key details about the Bentley Blower:

Supercharged Engine:

 The Bentley Blower was powered by a 4.4-liter inline-four engine, which was already a powerful engine in its own right. However, Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin, one of the "Bentley Boys" (a group of wealthy British racing enthusiasts who drove Bentley cars), believed that supercharging the engine would give it a competitive edge in racing.

Supercharger:

 A supercharger was added to the engine to increase its power output significantly. This allowed the Bentley Blower to produce more horsepower, making it one of the fastest cars of its time.

Racing Success: 

The Bentley Blower had notable success in various racing events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Birkin famously raced a supercharged Bentley at Le Mans in 1930, setting a lap record during the race. The Blower Bentley was competitive against other legendary racing cars of the era, such as the Mercedes-Benz SSK.

Limited Production: 

Bentley produced a limited number of Blower cars, primarily for racing purposes. In total, 55 of these cars were built between 1927 and 1931.

Iconic Design: 

The Bentley Blower is known for its distinctive design, featuring a large supercharger protruding from the front of the car. This design element has made it instantly recognizable among automotive enthusiasts.

Collector's Item: 

Due to its historical significance and racing pedigree, the Bentley Blower has become a highly sought-after collector's item. These cars are rare and command high prices at auctions.

Continuation Models: 

In recent years, Bentley Motors has produced a small number of "continuation" models of the Bentley Blower, essentially recreating the iconic cars with modern craftsmanship and technology while staying true to the original design and specifications.

The Bentley Blower remains an important part of automotive history, celebrated for its racing achievements and distinctive appearance. It continues to captivate car enthusiasts and collectors around the world.