Bentley 8 Litre Gurney Nutting Sportsman’s Coupe (1931)

Technical Specs

7,983 CC SOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

Triple SU Carburetors Over 220 BHP at 3,500 RPM

4-Speed D-Type Manual Gearbox

4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

Solid Front Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs

Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs

The Bentley 8-Liter was first shown to the public at the 1930 London Motor Show. It was impressive in design, stature, and performance. It was capable of 100 mph, 10 mph faster than the comparable lightweight Rolls-Royce.

There were two platforms for the 8-Liter Bentley, a 144-inch and 156-inch wheelbase. The chassis on the 156-inch version weight 3700 pounds with the full-bodied versions tipping the scale at over two tones! The engineering of the 8-Liter was impressive, with its double-dropped frame and seven tubular cross members supporting the mammoth bodies. Aluminum was used throughout the bodies in an effort to reduce the weight.

This 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Sportsman coupé by Gurney-Nutting was sold for 2 190 400 € at the Artcurial Auction Sales during the Retromobile 2014.