1956 bentley

[JT944]

hi all we have just started restoring a 1956 bentley in our workshop.its all striped out and the sills have been cut out it a major job and i hope it goes well

[Balmoral Green]

I bet you are finding a fair bit of rot.

Nice engine though, I reckon the 4.9 six in its final from as found in the S1 was the best ever. Give it triple carbs and a high ratio axle and put it in the previous model MKVI

[JT944]

hi there is a lot of rot on the inner and outer sills and some on the chassie but we have orderd some new pannels and will go from there. i think it will be a nice car when its done.it had not been run for 15 years or so and started first turn.all the lads were gob smacked

[Balmoral Green]

JT944 said:

it had not been run for 15 years or so and started first turn.

A dealer up in Bradford told me that they bought a cheap Phantom II unseen from the USA, it arrived at the docks and they went to fetch it with a trailer, but when they saw it they decided to drive it back instead, put some fuel into it, new battery, bit of general fettling and it started and ran, trade plates on and it ran like a dream from Blackpool to Bradford. When the seller in the US enquired as to how things were, they told him it drove just fine "Drove? what do you mean drove? its been in various museums and collections and hasnt been driven since the sixties, it doesnt drive!"

[JT944]

hi we striped down the front brakes they are a funny set up they seem to have a center moving hob in side of the brake drum.we have not come across that before it seems to add more brake force by forcing the shoes on to the drum in two ways

[Balmoral Green]

I had a MKVI and used to clean the drums out regularly, fitted new linings too, cant remeber the drums being anything other than conventional. Mine were servo off the gearbox for the front and rods for the rear. Have you got a workshop manual? you can get the official RR/Bentley manuals from the BDC, and you can get them on disc off e-bay.

[JT944]

hi no we do not have any info on it yet but my old boy has been a mercanic for 45 years so it wont be a problem im just a novis with 20 years so he says.i will take some pics and try and put some on .i dont no how to do that yet but i will try

[JT944]

we cut the inner and outer sills of the off side today and are going to put the new chassie leg on .we orderd a repair kit for the seats that came on monday the workshop was very busy last week so we did not do any thing on the old girl

[JT944]

hi all os inner sils on and chassie leg on all brakes now done os inner wing repered and heater flaps freed off and checked and bonnet linkage freed off about 30 hours of work this week

[Balmoral Green]

Can you post any pics?

[JT944]

yep will try ns inner wing removed today the old boys gone on hols today so i dont know how mutch will get done in the next week or two.i think our imp has been painted this week it and is ready to go in to our classic collection

[jt944]

hi all the bentley has gone to the paint shop now. all the bumpers have been restored and are looking good

[cardigankid]

How fantastic I wish I could do something like that. Good Luck with what sounds like a truly wonderful car. Post a Pic

[jt944]

hi all car is still at body shop i hope it will be back soon all the wood work has been sent out to a wood refurbish firm and all the crome bits have come back i will put some pics on soon .john

[Balmoral Green]

jt944 said:

I will put some pics on soon, John.

Will look forward to that John.

[cardigankid]

When exactly do you think?

[jt944]

hi all next week.it s having a bear metal respray so it may take a while.it will be a fill in job at the body shop no dout

[JT944]

hi all the Bentley's done and looks great we took her for the mot but the gear box was jumping out of top gear so one recon box later she all done

[williamp]

Glad to hear it. Any photoes or before/during/after?

[JT944]

been to see 2 more cars this week with my dad we bought a 86 Bentley turbo and a 75 rolls not sure what model