SOME SPECIAL BENTLEYS

SOME SPECIAL

detail displayed is evidence of Mr. McKenzie’s long experience of special work, and it is significant that this 8-litre conversion was undertaken without the client’s supervision.

Another interesting McKenzie Bentley Is a 4-litre chassis with the 8-litre braking system and a 61-litre Speed Six engine. Mr. McKenzie has a 41-litre Bentley of his own, which is subjected to experimental modification in the interests of clients, and which he drovc in the Bentley Drivers’ Handicap at Brooklands last year. We saw a blower 41-litre Bentley owned by Woolf Barnato, Forrest Lye ?,tt’s wellknown competition Bentley, several early 8-litres, lots of -14-litres, and a 4-litre saloon in for overhaul, the last-named with the I. 0. E. Ricardo engine. Another interesting car was a 1914 ” Alpine ” Rolls-Royce saloon in for the fitting of Rolls-Royce servo-brakes from a “Silver Ghost ” chassis, which conversion entails completely scrapping the latter car. Incidentally, this” Alpine ” is believed to be one of the actual competition cars. They had special camshafts and were equivalent to a sports-car in 1914. Then there was a 20-25 h.p. Rolls-Royce with a very unusual saloon body, providing a high degree of visibility, unlimited luggage accommodation, and special ventilating arrangements. This Corsica body was built to McKenzie’s designs for a lady client who tours extensively abroad and required a car to replace a Voisin which offered similar facilities. The detachable luggage-boxes are extremely rigidly mounted, high tensile bolts being used. This car was in for decarbonisation prior to a Swiss tour. There were many more Rolls-Royces, and another 8-litre Bentley by which we were able to compare the lines of the 8-litre just described. Indeed, the only ” foreign ” marque appeared to be an immaculate AstonMartin, though we came upon a Kelvin marine engine in one corner ! Also spare 4-litre Bentley and 1914 Roll-Royce engines, amongst others. Mr. McKenzie is greatly assisted in his tuning and servicing of Bentley engines by the possession of a Heenan and Fronde 300 b,h.p. engine

test bed, capable of recording up to 4,500 r.p.m. This equipment was originally bought by Count Zborowski, who as likely as not paid a four-figure sum for it. On the Count’s death it was acquired by Bentley Motors Ltd., and used by them until the old company closed down. It has beds to accommodate all types of Bentley power-units. On it, Lycett’s 8.-litre runs up to 4,300

T.p.m. The old days do not seem so far away after a talk with Mr. McKenzie about the old school Bentleys. Incidentally, he takes a keen interest in the . Bentley Drivers’ Club and the Vintage SC.C., but he is also fully able to deal with modern Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars. Several Interesting racing developments are in progress at his premises, but we must keep these under the editorial hat for the

present. The telephone number of McKenzie’s Garages, Ltd., is Victoria 4023 1..