Bentley Eight

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The fi rst thing you notice as you waft along is the wonderfully light steering. It’s very direct, with no play whatsoever and makes driving such a large car a breeze, especially when twinned with the three-speed autobox. There is obviously a certain amount of body roll in the bends, but this car was not built for high-speed cornering. The big V8 pulls well and the ride is incredibly smooth, with no unexpected rattles, vibrations or noises. The brakes stop the car in a straight line, with no shaking through the wheel.

BODYWORK CHECK

Finished in Georgian Silver and maintained to a very high standard, the paintwork is exceptional, with only some very minor wheelarch blistering, which will be addressed before it’s sold. All chrome trim, including the iconic front grille, is immaculate. The wheels and Bentley-branded hubcaps have been similarly well looked after and the car comes fitted with Avon Turbosteel tyres all round, all of which have good tread, even wear and no damage. The underside, all sills and door jambs are free from corrosion and match the overall condition of the car, and the under-slung spare wheel is present. The windows, plastic trim pieces and lights are fl awless.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

The light blue hide interior is immaculate. The wooden trim has no blemishes and the dashboard is undamaged and unfaded. All instruments and equipment work perfectly and everything feels very well put together. The headlining is in excellent condition and is not ripped or sagging. The same goes for the seats and they are still remarkably comfortable. All carpets, including the boot, have worn well and still look fresh. There is no evidence of any water damage anywhere. The door cards are in excellent condition and all armrests are still fi rm. The car is fitted with a modern aftermarket stereo head unit, which works.

UNDER THE BONNET

The engine bay is exceptionally tidy and there doesn’t appear to be any leaks, perished parts or damage. It’s the same story with all of the visible suspension and brake components, which is to be expected judging by the overall condition of the car. The big V8 starts on the button, with no hesitation or smoke from the exhaust. It sounds healthy and comes up to temperature effi ciently, then idles exactly as it should. The sound-deadening material on the underside of the bonnet is intact and there is no evidence of fl uid leaks or overheating. The engine bay is corrosion-free, including corners where water can potentially sit.

THE CCW VIEW

Immaculate inside and out and priced very reasonably. Sold fully serviced and with a year’s MoT, it’s a fantastic car that can be used every day or saved for sDpaelceiaVl ionctceansions.