1950 Bentley ‘Blue Train’ Recreation
The 1950 Bentley “Blue Train” Recreation is a tribute to a legendary automotive tale from Bentley’s past. The original story dates back to 1930, when Woolf Barnato, Bentley chairman and a three-time Le Mans winner, accepted a challenge while at a dinner party in Cannes.
The wager? That he could beat the famous express train (Le Train Bleu) back to London before the train reached Calais.
The actual “Blue Train” Bentley was a Speed Six with a Mulliner saloon body, but over time, a Gurney Nutting-bodied Bentley owned by Barnato became associated with the legend. This led to the Gurney Nutting design becoming synonymous with the Blue Train story.
The heart of this recreation is a Bentley B80 inline eight-cylinder engine, delivering a healthy 180 horsepower through four SU carburetors. A synchronized four-speed manual transmission pairs with the engine for a comfortable driving experience.
The car sits on a 140.5-inch wheelbase, its ride smoothed by an independent front suspension with coil springs and a rear axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Stopping power comes from hydraulic front and mechanical rear drum brakes.
Inside, the car’s interior is a throwback to the opulence of the 1930s, with red leather seats and matching carpet that invite passengers into a space of luxury. Liquor cabinets with crystal glasses etched with the Bentley “B” and highly polished walnut on the dash and doors underscore the car’s sophisticated air.
A Webasto sliding sunroof and dual side-mounted spares combine practicality with the car’s striking aesthetics.
Externally, the vehicle’s black vinyl-and-leather body commands attention, echoing the imposing presence of its historical counterpart.
The tale of the Blue Train Bentley is one of automotive legend, where a bet led to a race that outpaced a renowned train and resulted in fines for Barnato far exceeding his winnings. In 2005, Bentley Motors commemorated this event with the Arnage Blue Train Series.
This Blue Train recreation, completed in October 2014, was recently brought into the U.S. and is fully registered. With a lengthy three to five-year waiting list for these recreations, examples are hard to come by.
Credit: RM Sotheby’s
