As a member of Generation Z, my idea of classic cars isn't as deep as some of my peers. I grew up idolizing a set of oddball 1980s chassis that aren't quite modern but certainly aren't classic by any timely measurement.
But the seemingly restored Bentley Blower you see above isn't one of those models. After just a glance, I knew this model was special, a feeling I confirmed shortly thereafter by digging into the press materials. And that's because something about this iconic coach chassis isn't quite right!
Some would say it's very wrong, given that it's propelled by a heretic 48V electric powertrain with a 20-hp electric motor. That allows for a top speed of 45 mph in Europe and 25 mph in the US. Damn regulations!
A product of The Little Car Company, the Bentley Blower Junior is good for a reliable 65 miles of all-electric range. But the purist-effacing news doesn't stop there, as the Bentley collaboration model is only 85% scale of the original.
That's right, Bentley and The Little Car Company teamed up to make a driveable replica of the original Bentley Team Car from 1929. And it's fully road legal, in contrast to prior replicas from The Little Car Company.
Before any concours judges blow a head gasket, it's worth noting this scaled model gets as close to the real deal as possible. With a painted steel frame, leaf springs, and scaled-down, period-correct friction dampers, the 85% scale versions should ride just like a 1929 Bentley did. Which is to say terrible by modern standards, but cool nonetheless.
But the body construction is really the hero here, as building a modern version by century-old standards isn't exactly straightforward.
"The bodywork is crafted in two sections, and while the rear body structure is crafted in carbon fiber rather than being an ash frame, it's covered in impregnated fabric, just as the original," the release reads. "The bonnet, with its multiple cooling louvers, is handcrafted in aluminum using traditional techniques and fastened with beautiful leather buckled bonnet straps."
Like a Piper Cub or an instructional fighter jet, the cockpit is set up with a 1+1 configuration, meaning the passenger sits directly behind the driver. Additionally, the dashboard is a scaled-down replica of the original, with the fuel pressure pump repurposed as the drive mode selector. Comfort (2 kW), Bentley (8 kW), or Sport (15 kW) are your three mode options.
Some examples of modernity were a necessity, such as the former open-air engine display being used as a charging port now. Similarly, a USB charging port is fitted inside, though the designers claim it's hidden unless specifically opened. Garmin satellite navigation screen and reversing camera are also included.
If this sounds enticing, you'll have to act fast, as these road-legal toys are being released in an initial batch of 99 units. These first-edition models will receive special badging on the hood, door sill plate, and dash in addition to a serial number plaque.
Finally, Blower Green paint, with matching painted chassis and wheels, and a hand-painted Union Jack flag are all standard. But for how much money, we don't exactly know. Neither company has yet to reveal the price for these unique vehicles.
How do you feel about replica models versus restorations? Please share your thoughts below.
A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750 street parked in his South Brooklyn community.
