Bentley 8 Litre Standard Saloon
The 8 Litre represented the pinnacle of pre-war Bentley engineering, designed by W.O. Bentley himself as the ultimate luxury sports car. Its enormous 7,982cc straight-six engine was the largest production engine available in any British car at the time, delivering effortless power and refinement. Built on a massive 12-foot wheelbase, the 8 Litre could accommodate bespoke coachwork from the finest carriage builders. Unfortunately, the Great Depression and its high price doomed the model, with only 100 examples built before Bentley's acquisition by Rolls-Royce.
Finding an 8 Litre is extremely rare and expensive. Verify chassis number authenticity and coachbuilder provenance. Check for original engine and gearbox matching numbers. Frame condition is critical - look for cracks or repairs. Many have been rebodied over the years; original coachwork commands premium values.
Production lasted only from 1930 to 1931 due to Bentley Motors' financial troubles during the Great Depression. Each chassis was fitted with bespoke coachwork from builders like Mulliner, Gurney Nutting, and Park Ward. The 8 Litre was the largest-engined Bentley until the 1998 Arnage.