Being Birkin: Driving the Bentley Blower at Le Mans

[@aviobrain]

Came to this video a bit late. Bloody marvelous

[@redryderaus]

Sat here watching this with a big grin on my face. What a machine, shows you how hard the drivers in those days had to work. Great video.

[@asciimation]

Great film, thank you. So pleased to see the car used and not just sitting in a museum.

[@shanehnorman]

Wonderful, just wonderful. I watched with a stupid grin all over my face.

[@Avetho]

My face is very tired and drawn after recovering from a flu, but my mouth was trying to pull a tectonic grin. In my mind and in intention, I was grinning like a loon hearing the car's noises as it purred around the track. I love old cars like this, they can easily outlast most things on the road these days too so long as the owner takes care of it correctly :D

[@cameronrichardson3108]

@@Avetho the only thing that’s going to kill these cars is the government banning petrol, this issue needs addressed soon

[@306champion]

Thank you for this video, Its great to see a bloke who knows a gearbox. I just watched another who had not a clue. You must feel very privileged to drive it, I know I would.

[@Dg-zj6jo]

I DID CRY WHAT A BIT OF KIT Thanks Andrew Frankel amazing presenter

[@DayTwo-w8n]

What a great auto and a wonderful road test. You had me sitting on the edge of my seat! The engine hum was music to my soul. Didn't miss a beat.

[@ericohara2582]

Andrew Frankel is brilliant in this, he brings alive some hidden passion in this car. Thank you..

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Gave me goosebumps, wish i had been sitting along side you, just epic. Thank you so much for sharing with us. John

[@zrlc078]

What a treat to watch today! I watched "Full Throttle" when I was a kid, and was delighted when it was put onto youtube a few years ago, having never been able to see it again until recently.

[@leoroverman4541]

Brought a smile to my face. I remember going to Scotland many years ago and hearing a couple of these behind me and just hauling past effortlessly. Absolutely superb cars. My dad used to say say they fired once every lamppost

[@craigpennington1251]

Watching this again and how the gearbox is managed, to me, looks like you can float the gears like an American Kenworth or Peterbilt class 8 truck. When floating gears, you don't have to clutch. That in itself saves your leg and the clutch itself. Once you've got it down, it's so smooth and easy to shift gears and NO noise either.

[@psychoduck86]

You Can on normal Road - but forget everything about it you want to race. Where older trucks tend to have low HP and strong gearbox, this has quite the opposite. Basically imagine a car with the Engine of a strong truck (at the time) and a gearbox of a bike.. I know it’s a overstatement - but you get the point 🤣

[@zakcritch8706]

@@psychoduck86 Yeah you do have a point. But bentley was a locomotive engineer, he overbuilt every part of his cars. The 8 litres have a reputation for having bulletproof gearboxes. The blowers gearbox might not be so frail.

[@MrGaryGG48]

Craig, you just put these guys into a very different light. I've seen these Bentleys but haven't ridden in one so your point about shifting makes much more sense. I've been carrying a Class A license and driving semi trucks for way too many years. Once you're comfortable in one, shifting becomes automatic and you don't even think about it until you've covered many miles and think back on the last half hour. With that in mind, most of the work for the drivers was the 100% concentration for several hours and horsing the steering around to keep from either running over a slower inattentive driver or stuffing your car into a bank. I can't imagine 24 hours at Le Mans or any of the other endurance races. Those guys must have been absolutely drained at the end of the race!! I've been around the course at Le Mans when it was just a country road, back in the early 1960s. Safety barriers??? Three and a half miles of what looked like oak trees on both sides of the road that looked to be 3' in diameter with no other barriers when you left the roadway!! It made me think of what it must have been like on that day in 1955!! I have massive respect for those who raced there in those days!!

[@ianthomson9363]

A very well-made video about a legendary car. I'd never heard one being driven- what a sound!

[@arkhsm]

That much physical effort for that length of time shows how hard these guys really were !!

[@stevehutchesson1321]

Magnificent old racing car, I have only seen photos before. A Pleasure to see it being driven again.

[@danturpening5773]

Great video. And great driving! Driven with mechanical sympathy and respect. And quite a bit of skill.

[@kenbradley5035]

Simply brilliant... presenter and car. skilfully driven with mindful respect for Tim Birkin.

[@tomallen7299]

Excellent video, informative, nicely shot and presented.

[@davidcompton7559]

Thanks so much -- recently purchased a reprint of Birkin's "Full Throttle" autobiography and this is the perfect complement to the read!

[@68AMW]

Although i will never be able to finance and own one of these legendary blowers, but I have developed a great interest to find out about them and the heroes who raced them in Brooklands and Le Mans. This video is so well presented and informative - thank you very much Andrew, great effort - and honour for you to be behind the wheel?!!

[@zakcritch8706]

Its a shame bentley himself thought the cars were unreliable because they were supercharged.

[@johnbramwell756]

The best thing you’ve had on the site since Alistair Caldwell . More historic race car tests by this bloke please.

[@Levenstone132]

Glorious! You won't forget that day old chap!

[@steveread864]

What a fantastic old motor. I would love to drive it myself.

[@saintmartins6729]

You'd have to insure it for about $10,000,000.00. It last sold for $7,000,000.00

[@steveread864]

@@saintmartins6729 Thanks for the update

[@saintmartins6729]

@@steveread864 No problem.

[@williamokeefe918]

I think someone said it’s the most valuable Bentley in the world. Not surprising.

[@Supcharged]

@@williamokeefe918 surely not more than the Speed 8

[@6CylSuccessVideos]

Brilliant presentation! Always lusted after this car. You helped bring it to life! Thank you!

[@Michael_Lorenson]

Great job of giving a real sense of the character of this car! Thanks

This Birkin Bentley is truly a JOY FOR EVER...and will be remembered as such.....and who wouldn't envy young Andrew Frankel.....

[@chrisbaker2903]

I remember reading about the Bentley Le Mans cars in Tom Macahill's book when I was a teenager about 50 or so odd years ago. Always loved to read his stories. After I grew up and after a few years in the military I learned to drive Semi-Trucks. LOL Double clutching was the way to go with all the transmissions I drove. Up and down shifts, sometimes with 2 or even 3 gearboxes. I'm thinking 4 different ratios would be a piece of cake, even if they weren't spaced evenly. Of course my favorite was the 10 speed Road Ranger, so easy to drive. Regular H pattern with first to the left and back, up through 5th, pull the lever up and back to the first position for 6th and up through the gears to tenth. I wish my current dodge pickup had something along those lines at least 8 gears to get the spacing closer in the upper gears. That's as close as I will ever get to actually driving a Bentley I guess.

[@AmbroseB1900]

Terrific video! As a kid in the 50s, I loved the look of these cars. In the 60s I enjoyed watching them race at Silverstone in the Vintage car races. Superb sound, amazing speed for the era and an imposing presence. I believe it was Etorre Bugatti who said that Bentley made the world's finest racing lorries!

[@GeeBeeMike]

It’s a beautiful car and a true Time Machine.

[@erickbrown5385]

I watched this because I actually used to own one of these. Bear in mind that it was around 1960 and it was my first Matchbox Car. Great car!

[@johnprice5784]

My favourite car of all time and at 126mph as fast as the Mallard steam locomotive at its record setting 1938 best , still unbroken today by the way .

[@stephhamilton8100]

Great presentation and what surprised me the most was how 'right' that big old car looked on a race track. Beautiful machine!

[@-dunzjos4554]

Great vide, thank God no music!!!!!

[@CaminoalInti]

The video did have music all along, but it was a beautiful non-intrusive piece, I can agree with that.

[@suzanneembree5564]

Thanks so much for producing this. It was a thrill and delight to watch. --Greg Embree

[@richardcleveland8549]

Fascinating! Mesmerizing! Fantastic! Not just the car, which is amazing enough in itself, but the driver's enthusiasm, knowledge, and excitement! The equivalent for me would be to drive the XK120 that Sterling Moss won in at Le Mans! This was a great, great You Were There video! Congratulation - and thanks - to all involved in its production.

[@JoshuaSolanes]

I'm surprised you don't have more subscribers. This is an excellent video and very professional. I really enjoyed it a lot

[@yogisallyannslight5940]

I want a Bob Petersen Blower!!!!.........fantastic....thanks Tim

[@NothMeeh]

Blower Bentley is on my short list of favorite things ever.

[@Martin_in_Cheltenham]

Really is a first class video- thank you. The whole era of the Bentley Boys and their activities is just amazing to read. I also watched the two part video of Tim Birken staring Rowan Atkinson. Can be found on KZbin- a must for all enthusiasts. Now looking to find the book 'Full Throttle'. Thank you again.

[@MartiA1973]

Driving a Blower, while wearing a Rolex Submariner and....white trousers. Kelvin scale cool!

[@RichardASK]

Never heard these cars referred to as Bentley Blowers, but always the other way round as Blower Bentleys, even at the 60 anniversary church service in Blakeney, in the address, it was always Blower Bentley. Still, we live and learn.

[@robertcroft9320]

Wow. A blower Bentley on the track. How cool is that!

[@djxjxixsmjxjskjzxn1853]

What a brilliant video. A motoring vid about a proper car with passion, knowledge and intelligence, and no sign of the three stooges from the Grand Bore.

[@scottnyc6572]

A piece of machinery that one develops a sense of feel,hearing and timing to master its full performance.Impressive ingenuity!!

[@mikebeeton4982]

My all time favorite car, and even just to "oggle" it standing still but looking very menacing, to the other extreme," ramping " along at 100 mph plus

[@roshanjay7]

That engine sounds unbelievably smooth for a 90yo car...

[@Bob-nu3xe]

Thank you always wondered what these drove and sounded like

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 Simply fantastic (car, driver and video)! Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to all involved people.

[@nigelw512]

What a car and brilliant video. Many thanks

[@craigpennington1251]

John Steed and Emma Peel would be proud. What a nice car. Don't crash this one please.

[@Ashfielder]

The best looking of all the old Blowers. Beautiful car.

[@graemecarr4325]

Having owned several similar period cars I can empathise with the reviewers obvious joy in driving this car an experience he will likely never forget.

[@psanderbrand]

Most beautiful car ever designed.

[@jaideeprai230]

Brilliant Bentley, presentation & the video. ✊✊

[@Sockpoppet]

That beautiful interior reminds me of the early 1900's SPAD S.XIII .

[@stephenhenion8304]

UU 5872...... that's the car I've wanted since 1968. And here it is! Jolly Good to see the "Old Iron" up and running! Well Done Chaps!!🎩🇺🇸🇬🇧🎩🇺🇸🇬🇧🎩

[@jendoslavek]

Very super expensive legend ship to see in action. Thank you!

[@angusgrant3978]

What a grand automobile,in every sense of the word and experience of it.

[@looeyt4767]

I had never heard of a Bentley Blower until I read Ian Flemings' Bond books...I don't recall what year Bond's car was, but I do remember he had a particular mechanic keep it in shape.

[@keithburgess4088]

Well presented ... Now, this is a real Car, what a machine and it was effortless power at command which you can't get even in today's car's..! .. thank you I enjoyed the drive... now I'll go out and drive my beast to relive the pleasure of watching you grin like a Cheshire cat...

[@kentishmale1969]

I can’t even drive a car (I’m 51 years old and rode motorcycles all my life) and even I found that absolutely fascinating and wonderful to watch. :)

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

58 rode motorcycles all my life but have loved this car since I saw it as an Airfix kit as a boy, just so happens said kit came to my door today. G :)

[@stephensharp975]

I used to go down to le mans every year and once was driving a Dolomite Sprint rapidly down a National road on the way to the circuit in the mid 80s, and one of these must have come past me at well over 100mph, followed by a D-type, and something else very old, I could not believe how fast they were going. Later they were on the parade lap of winners before the start.

[@1946jeeplover]

Excellent video, great visual on the mechanical interactions and the audio was great because there was no music playing

[@guyfromfrance]

Great Job, thank You so much...

[@CoreyGolphenee]

As it gets harder to run piston engines period, I think the world needs more opportunities to see ones like these.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Thanks for the history and the ride along.

[@984francis]

Excellent, informative, beautifully spoken narration.

[@metrocammell1]

A real car, love the sound of the engine and gearbox !

[@steamgent4592]

My favorite car glad to see it running. I wish Bentley would make them again.

[@jacksutherland846]

Love the color. I rode in a 1925 Dodge bros racer. Absolutely a hoot! Can only imagine that thing.

[@jcgabriel1569]

A Blower Bentley at Le Mans is like an Alfa Romeo Monza at Monza; where legends began.

[@theant9821]

Le mans, or brooklands of course.

[@Brookspirit]

Fantastic car, great video.

[@knut-hinrichqwalter2463]

At that speed here Tim Birkin sure would take a cup of tea,maybe refined by Whisky!

[@Dg-zj6jo]

wow i started weeping what a amazing car great video sir just brought 08 speed gt

[@Treviscoe]

I'm wondering what Tim Birkin (who died young, at the age of 36) would make of one of today's Bentleys if he had had a chance to drive it (or one of today's Bugattis). Or our roads - roads in the late 20s and early 30s would have been practically deserted compared with today's.

[@Mladjasmilic]

Looking at this, it reminds me of Massey Ferguson 35 (or Yugoslav copy IMT 533) in the way they drive.

[@michaelfield3901]

I feel the need, the need for Steed

[@NothMeeh]

At least three people at the time of this writing got the reference!

[@yogisallyannslight5940]

Brooklands also had to make the cars less noisy due to the complaints of the neighbours....at Brands Hatch, they give the locals special cards for free entry to the track....which I found very helpful, thank you..............................................also, is it right that the pedals are in CAB rather than CBA.??.......which was not mentioned in this video, and it is really important if you want to learn to drive this car, as I do....thanks!

[@pbgoodwin1]

Awesome car. Cool video.

[@angiefav1847]

Must have been terrific to drive one of these monsters l watched you drive it you had a smile so would l cheers

[@ianbrown4242]

This was wonderful.

[@misssummersalt]

This is pure magic. 💚

[@375GTB]

THANK YOU!

[@danvorobiov]

Brilliant!

[@petersnushall7293]

I am over those wankers who persist on using grossly irrelevant piped "music" when we all want to hear the actual sounds coming from these magnificent machines.

[@johnmackenzie7487]

This was always my dream car

[@andrewbernard9571]

Brilliant Bentley ❤

[@davidbarrett1487]

Very enjoyable.🇬🇧

[@nickwillmore2883]

Fantastic...love it

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

What a beaut. TFS, G :)

[@k.kristianjonsson4814]

Doesn't it have a dog-box? Clutchless gear-changes possibly (if you have a feel for it)?

[@alancarlton8380]

Although I'm with you all the way, dreaming of being a 'Bentley Boy' if I could choose it would probably be in Woolf's 'standard' 4 1/2 litre in 28? (though my love of anything Barnato is being tainted reading about his Chairman role and overruling W.O. with Superchargers...etc-am I right? And was Woolf wrong?)❤❤❤

[@cristinalulic3823]

incomparable auto ingles unico marcelo miguens que aprendan desde estos lugares tan lejanos lo verdaderamente bueno no creer que bm como lediceno mercedes es lo mejor en los lugares buenos son autos de medio pelo marcelo miguens

[@stevemehanmusic]

Awesome car

[@michelguevara151]

correction : *blower bentley* you have it back to front. I know this because my great grandfather raced blower bentleys. unfortunately, he bet on himself and wasn't as great a driver as sir tim.

[@tummiehond9432]

benmtley blower is based on end 1920s suprecharged GP car. Of the GP of that time we know that in 1927 people suddenly were stunned by a new Bugatti car that almost went 200 km/h,while the previous did about 180 km/h. bentley blower is faster around teh circuit and also aroudn all the banked corners they used to have !

[@bennib3023]

In Germany the driver would be called: Nobelschroeder

[@sqweebel1]

So British, I love it

[@benhur_9377]

❤️

[@justin_your_cousin9273]

1:26 If you take away that guy, it looks like Forza