Car (DK Eyewitness Books)(4)

A series of sensational victories in the Le Mans 24-hour races in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930 made the big Bentleys legendary.1930 Bentley 4.5 liter supercharged

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BUILT FOR RACINGThe front view of the Bentley confirms its functional design with no bodywork blocking access to the suspension and brakes.

Big, powerful headlights, with stone guards

Front-mounted supercharger and carburetor

WEATHER GEARAlthough never raised when racing, the Bentley did have a basic hood, and a “tonneau” cover for the back seat.

Fast-action fuel tank cap

Wide fantail exhaust producing distinctive rumble

Spare spark plugsLouvers to increase the flow of cooling air over the engineAll-important hand brake working drum brakes on all four wheelsThe Le Mans 24-hour race tests cars and drivers to the limits as they hurtle around the 8-mile circuit for a night and a day nonstop. This picture shows the race in the early 1930s, with a 1.5-liter Aston Martin in the foreground.NIGHT AND DAYThe engine, normally visible here, has been removed for maintenanceTHE BLOWERLike many sporting cars of the 1920s and 1930s, this Bentley has a supercharger, or “blower.” This drives extra fuel into the engine to boost power (p. 49).

Brake drumsCOMPETITION TRIMMany details on the Bentley show its racing pedigree. Wire mesh protects the lights and the carburetor against stones thrown up from the track. Quick-release radiator and fuel caps aid mid-race refueling. Leather straps keep the hood from flying open. The white circle on the body is for the car’s racing number.

IN THE HOT SEATSupercharger roaring, a Type 35 Bugatti bears down on the leaders in a 1920s Grand Prix. Protection for driver from flying stones was minimal.

Oil filler cap

POWER HOUSESteering swivelSUPER TRUCKSSuperb engines, built in 3-, 4-, 4.5-, 6.5-, and 8-liter versions, made the Bentleys very quick. The supercharged 4.5-liter models could top 125 mph (200 kmh).The speed, size, and rugged, no-nonsense looks of the Bentleys provoked Italian car designer Ettore Bugatti to describe them as “the world’s fastest trucks.”

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Lighting the way

power and efficiency of modern car lighting. But in the early days, lighting was so poor that few motorists ventured out on the road after dark. The lights on the first cars were candle lamps inherited from horse-drawn carriages. They were so dim that they did little more than warn other road users of the car’s presence. Special car lights were soon developed, running first on oil or acetylene gas then electricity. Yet for many years lights were considered to be luxury accessories. It was not until the 1930s that bright electric lights were fitted as standard on most cars.Night driving today is relatively safe and easy, thanks to the Chimney

MIDNIGHT OIL

“Pie-crust” chimney topPurpose-built lamps which burned oil or gasoline were in widespread use by 1899. The popular Lucas King of the Road “motor carriage lamp” (right) had a small red lens in the rear; separate taillights like the Miller (below) were not made compulsory until much later.Front lens catch to allow access for lighting the wick

Oil reservoir

Candle wick holderWAX WORKS leftRed-stained glass lensThe pioneers’ cars had brackets for candle carriage lamps. Carriage lamps were beautifully made, and a spring pushed the candle up as it burned down. But dim candles were no good at all for driving. Even a slight breeze blew out the flame, while the jolting of the car shook the lamps to pieces. Candle lamps did serve a purpose, however. If the car was stranded by a breakdown at night, the lamps illuminated the immobile vehicle.Wick adjusterA NIGHT OUT leftOil reservoirBIG MATCHSpring-loaded candle holderIn streetlit cities, candle lamps made it just possible to drive after dark. This ad promotes the attractions of arriving for an evening gala by car. A troublesome horse in the background completes the illusion.Lighting a candle lamp or even an oil lamp on a windy night was a tricky business. Special strongly flaring “motor matches,” made “for use on motor cars and launches,” made life for the motorist a little less difficult.

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