Close-up, rear view of of a 1939, Bentley MX Overdrive Chassis, on display at the 2021 London Classic Car Show, Syon Park.
Motorsport announced in March 1939 that the fixed head coupé designed by Paulin and built by Portout to the special order of André Embiricos is the prototype of a new Continental model in the Bentley range. The new production car would have high compression pistons and larger SU carburettors giving an extra 15 bhp (11 kW; 15 PS) output and its weight reduced from the standard car's by about 336 lb (152 kg) or 3 cwt. The maximum speed was expected to be 120 mph (193 km/h) and fuel consumption 26 mpg‑imp (11 L/100 km; 22 mpg‑US) at 60 mph (97 km/h). During the 1930s a Greek businessman and avid race car driver named André Embiricos was looking to have a custom car built. Living in Paris at the time, Embiricos contacted a local Bentley rep by the name of Walter Sleator, who then put him in touch with Georges Paulin, a designer working for coachbuilder Pourtout Carrossier. Under Paulin's guidance, Pourtout produced a strikingly sleek, aerodynamic body for a 4¼-Litre Derby Bentley that would be ideal for racing. With the support of the Bentley factory back in Crewe, owned at the time by Rolls-Royce, a car combining the Derby Bentley with Pourtout's design was built and from then on was known as the 4 1/4 Liter 'Embiricos' Special." That very car, of which only one example was ever built, has now returned to Crewe where it is being showcased at the 'Lineage Showroom' at the Bentley factory until September. When designing it all those years ago, the goal was speed, and thus it had one of the most aerodynamic bodies of any car at the time. To keep weight down the fastback body with split rear window was crafted in Duralumin, an age-hardened aluminum alloy. Embiricos eventually sold his unique Bentley in 1939 to Hay who raced it in three post-war 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance races, achieving a commendable 6th pl "Bentley must be justifiably proud of doing with a straightforward, push-rod engine what other makers cannot approach with overhead camshafts and blowers."
Size: 5332px × 3699px
Location: Syon Park, Brentford, Middx TW8 8JF
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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