This is what a supercar was like a century ago
When the average car could only do 40 mph, this Bentley could break 100.
When the average car could only do 40 mph, this Bentley could break 100.
The short version
- Bentley built 18 Super Sports between 1925 and 1927, taking its standard 3 Litre model and shortening the wheelbase by 9.5 inches (241 mm).
- Like today’s Super Sports, that shaved some mass and made it a more responsive driver’s car.
- The radiator was more tapered and thus presented less resistance against the flow of air, although like many cars at the time, the bodywork was a matter of whichever coachbuilder the owner decided upon.
What happened
Like today with the Continental GT and the new Supersports, the 3.0 L engine Bentley in the original Super Sports was more special than one you’d find in the standard car, with new pistons, a lighter flywheel, more compression, and different carburetors. Together with its unique gearing, the factory would guarantee a Super Sports that could exceed 100 mph (160 km/h); the millions of Ford Model Ts that took the roads those same years were hard-pushed to break 40 mph (64 km/h).
Why it matters
Smoky belongs to a private owner who kindly lent it to Bentley for Monterey Car Week; between that and the pedal layout, I was content to ride shotgun.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.