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This book is a timely reminder of the diversity of coachwork which used to grace the products of Britain's most famous car maker and uses over 200 contemporary black-and-white illustrations and some 60 specially shot colour photographs to tell the story of Bentley coachwork during the 1920s, and up to 1931 when the company went into receivership. It traces each of the three classes of coachwork - saloons and limousines, drophead coupés, and tourers and also includes such major developments as the Weymann system, cellulose paint and streamlining. These are interspersed with short histories of the era's major coachbuilding firms.   

The book also goes into the thinking of W O Bentley at the time. He never intended that his cars should become the luxury playthings of the rich. His first model, the Three Litre, although expensive, was clearly aimed at the sporting motorist. Very quickly, however, it attracted buyers who wanted to body it with heavy saloon and limousine styles, for which it was not well suited. In response, Bentley first increased the wheelbase and then developed more powerful models - the 6½ Litre (and its high-performance version, the Speed Six), the 4½ Litre, and finally the magnificent Eight Litre. British society seized on these cars and clothed them with equally magnificent bespoke bodywork as the body clearly explains and illustrates. It should be a real eye opener to all enthusiasts of the marque.

The cars which were built by Rolls-Royce during the 1930s, after their surprise takeover of Bentley Motors early in the decade, proved to be an extraordinary success for the company. This success was due to the performance and manners of the cars, to the excellence of their engineering and construction, to the wonderfully attractive coachwork offered, and to the association with the Illustrious Rolls-Royce reputation. After outlining the story of Bentley Motors and the Rolls-Royce takeover, the author give a thorough account of Rolls-Royce's search for a car with which to relaunch Bentley before the earlier glories of the name began to fade. Then, he provides a detailed technical analysis of the 3½ Litre, covering every aspect of the chassis, running gear, engine and transmission. This is followed by equivalent coverage of the succeeding 4¼ Litre and the short-lived Mark V. Each of these receives comprehensive treatment, with information on differences from previous models, revisions and production changes, the range of bodies available from coachbuilders, performance and behaviour, and appearances in competitive events. The history of the Derby-built Bentley is rounded off with a review of the late experimental versions, the Paulin/Embiricos car and the Corniche. For owners, present and prospective, there are chapters on using the cars today and on the practicalities of ownership, including advice on parts availability, maintenance and preservation. In its thorough examination of these most desirable cars, this book provides a rich store of knowledge for the many owners and enthusiasts who care passionately about them. "A work of outstanding usefulness and scholarship" The Automobile

This definitive book by an internationally acknowledged Rolls-Royce and Bentley expert, chronicles the fastest and most powerful coachbuilt Bentleys ever built in vivid detail. It also includes technical specification, performance data and a listing of individual cars from 1951 to date, such as the Bentley Continental R Type, S1, S2 & S3; Bentley Corniche; Bentley Continental Convertible; Bentley Continental R, S & T and Bentley Azure. "Of timeless usefulness" The Flying Lady

This informative publication looks initially at the development and history of the Bentley Cresta and Bentley Abbot, before moving on to the 1950s Bentley R Type Continental, the 1960s S1, S2 and S3 Bentley Continentals and their bodybuilders. It also includes the unique Hooper-bodied S2 Bentley Continental. Later generations of the Continental, Continental R and Continental SC are covered as well as the latest Bentley Continental GT.