BENTLEY MOTORS FIRST LE MANS CAR TO STAR AT LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW
February 8, 2016 by William Medcalf Vintage Bentley![BENTLEY MOTORS FIRST LE MANS CAR TO STAR AT LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW](images/articleimages/bentley-lemans-london-classic-car-01-400.jpg)
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The car retains its original Vanden Plas four-seater body, and it was fitted with a lower, more aerodynamic windscreen than was standard, in a bid to improve its speed. It also came with a large, 25-gallon fuel tank, stiffened suspension and an engine that was uprated to 'Supersports' specification. The car raced in the 1925 running of the Le Mans 24hr race, although unfortunately failed to finish, retiring on lap 19. A last-minute rule change meant that cars had to run with their hood up for the first 20 laps, which affected their fuel efficiency. Despite leading the race from the off, Number 10 inevitably ran out of fuel dashing W.O. Bentley's hopes. Herbert Kensington Moir and Dudley Benjafield, the founder of the British Racing Drivers' Club and winner of the 1927 Le Mans 24hr race, were the Bentley Motors Works drivers for the race. After Le Mans, MH7580 was driven hard as a company demonstrator before being sold into private hands. The car has always been in active service and in the 1970s completed over 1000 miles in a day just to prove her stripes. It was also named 'Car of the Show' at the Bentley Drivers' Club Concours at Hatfield House in 2005. In 2013 MH7580 was driven by William Medcalf and Paul Carter non-stop for 24 hours at the Portimao race circuit, covering over 1400 miles, in preparation for the inaugural Benjafield's 24 hour race that took place the following year. This year it will be making an exciting return to racing at Le Mans after more than 90 years, when it takes part in the Le Mans Classic, alongside other notable cars of the period. William Medcalf said: 'It has been a privilege to work on such an important part of British motorsport history, and it will be fantastic to see it make a rare appearance in front of British crowds. The London Classic Car Show's special setup means that attendees will not only be able to see this car up close, but watch it on the move as well.'
posted on conceptcarz.com
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