BUILDING A VINTAGE BENTLEY PART EIGHT
LAMPS, INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER VINTAGE BENTLEY JEWELLERY
HEADLAMPS
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGES TO ENLARGE
ABOVE ARE SOME IMAGES OF THE MOST FAMOUS OF BENTLEYS, THE BLOWER WITH IT`S UNMISTAKEABLE CODPIECE. EVEN THOUGH IT NEVER WON A RACE, IT`S THE CAR THAT LIGHTS OUR FIRES!
ALTHOUGH NOT CHOSEN FOR LOOKS ALONE, THE ZEISS HEADLAMPS WERE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE THAN THOSE SMITH ONES AND A HECK OF A LOT BETTER LOOKING.
AS I`VE SAID BEFORE, GOOD HEADLAMPS, INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES MAKE THE CAR, SO THAT ANY EXTRA MONEY SPENT ON THEM IS NOT WASTED.
ONE OFTEN SEES OVER RESTORED BENTLEYS SPORTING THOSE BORING AND INEFFICIENT SMITHS HEADLAMPS BUT OFTEN THE RESTORERS ARE NOT AWARE THAT BENTLEY CUSTOMERS COULD HAVE HAD ANY LAMP THAT THEY WANTED FITTED TO THEIR CAR. OF COURSE THERE ARE OTHER HEADLAMPS SUCH AS MARCHALL THAT WERE FITTED, EVEN STEPHEN GREBEL WHICH I PERSONALLY BELIEVE ARE A LITTLE EFFEMINATE FOR SUCH A BUTCH CAR AS A BENTLEY.
THE ZEISS LAMPS OF THE 1920`S WERE AVAILABLE AS FORK OR PEDESTAL MOUNTED. THE BLOWER CAR ABOVE IS FITTED WITH A PAIR OF FORK MOUNTED. THESE HEADLAMPS COULD BE OPENED BY PRESSING A BUTTON ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO THE HINGE SO THAT THE RIM COULD BE SWUNG OPEN TO ENABLE A QUICK CHANGE OF BULB, PERFECT FOR LE MANS. THE REASON THAT THE ZEISS LAMPS WERE SO EXPENSIVE WAS THAT THE REFLECTORS WERE MADE OF SHAPED PRECISION GROUND GLASS WHICH IF BROKEN WILL BE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE OTHER THAN BY A NEW STEEL REFLECTOR MADE BY A LAMP SPECIALIST. THE LAMPS COULD BE DIMMED BY A MECHANISM THAT PUSHED A SHROUD OVER THE BULB, CONTROLLED BY BOWDEN CABLES FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE LATER VERSION OF THESE LAMPS HAD ELECTRIC SOLENOIDS TO OPERATE A VERY ELABORATE CAST GLASS SHROUD.
THERE IS ANOTHER LATER, LESS ELABORATE, TYPE OF ZEISS HEADLAMP THAT LOOKS ALMOST THE SAME BUT DOES NOT HAVE A QUICK OPENING RIM. THE RIM IS INSTEAD SECURED BY A CIRCULAR BAND THAT IS CONTRACTED BY MEANS OF A SCREW. I`VE NOT SEEN A PAIR OF THESE THAT ARE FORK MOUNTED BUT IF THIS IS DESIRED THEN YOUR FRIENDLY LAMP SPECIALIST CAN CONVERT THEM TO FORK MOUNTED.
FIT A PAIR OF STONE GUARDS, NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF APPEARANCES, BUT TO PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS HEADLAMP LENSES FROM DAMAGE AND ALL THE PALAVER THAT ENTAILS.
INSTRUMENTS FOR THE DASHBOARD
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LONG DELAY IN HAVING INSTRUMENTS MADE OR REPAIRED, UNFORTUNATELY THE MAIN BENTLEY INSTRUMENT RESTORER HAS RETIRED. IT PAYS TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL RESTORER, IF THERE IS ONE, EARLY IN THE BUILD AND DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS WITH HIM.
ABOVE ARE SOME IMAGES OF THE MOST FAMOUS OF BENTLEYS, THE BLOWER WITH IT`S UNMISTAKEABLE CODPIECE. EVEN THOUGH IT NEVER WON A RACE, IT`S THE CAR THAT LIGHTS OUR FIRES!
ALTHOUGH NOT CHOSEN FOR LOOKS ALONE, THE ZEISS HEADLAMPS WERE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE THAN THOSE SMITH ONES AND A HECK OF A LOT BETTER LOOKING.
AS I`VE SAID BEFORE, GOOD HEADLAMPS, INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES MAKE THE CAR, SO THAT ANY EXTRA MONEY SPENT ON THEM IS NOT WASTED.
ONE OFTEN SEES OVER RESTORED BENTLEYS SPORTING THOSE BORING AND INEFFICIENT SMITHS HEADLAMPS BUT OFTEN THE RESTORERS ARE NOT AWARE THAT BENTLEY CUSTOMERS COULD HAVE HAD ANY LAMP THAT THEY WANTED FITTED TO THEIR CAR. OF COURSE THERE ARE OTHER HEADLAMPS SUCH AS MARCHALL THAT WERE FITTED, EVEN STEPHEN GREBEL WHICH I PERSONALLY BELIEVE ARE A LITTLE EFFEMINATE FOR SUCH A BUTCH CAR AS A BENTLEY.
THE ZEISS LAMPS OF THE 1920`S WERE AVAILABLE AS FORK OR PEDESTAL MOUNTED. THE BLOWER CAR ABOVE IS FITTED WITH A PAIR OF FORK MOUNTED. THESE HEADLAMPS COULD BE OPENED BY PRESSING A BUTTON ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO THE HINGE SO THAT THE RIM COULD BE SWUNG OPEN TO ENABLE A QUICK CHANGE OF BULB, PERFECT FOR LE MANS. THE REASON THAT THE ZEISS LAMPS WERE SO EXPENSIVE WAS THAT THE REFLECTORS WERE MADE OF SHAPED PRECISION GROUND GLASS WHICH IF BROKEN WILL BE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE OTHER THAN BY A NEW STEEL REFLECTOR MADE BY A LAMP SPECIALIST. THE LAMPS COULD BE DIMMED BY A MECHANISM THAT PUSHED A SHROUD OVER THE BULB, CONTROLLED BY BOWDEN CABLES FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE LATER VERSION OF THESE LAMPS HAD ELECTRIC SOLENOIDS TO OPERATE A VERY ELABORATE CAST GLASS SHROUD.
THERE IS ANOTHER LATER, LESS ELABORATE, TYPE OF ZEISS HEADLAMP THAT LOOKS ALMOST THE SAME BUT DOES NOT HAVE A QUICK OPENING RIM. THE RIM IS INSTEAD SECURED BY A CIRCULAR BAND THAT IS CONTRACTED BY MEANS OF A SCREW. I`VE NOT SEEN A PAIR OF THESE THAT ARE FORK MOUNTED BUT IF THIS IS DESIRED THEN YOUR FRIENDLY LAMP SPECIALIST CAN CONVERT THEM TO FORK MOUNTED.
FIT A PAIR OF STONE GUARDS, NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF APPEARANCES, BUT TO PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS HEADLAMP LENSES FROM DAMAGE AND ALL THE PALAVER THAT ENTAILS.
INSTRUMENTS FOR THE DASHBOARD
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LONG DELAY IN HAVING INSTRUMENTS MADE OR REPAIRED, UNFORTUNATELY THE MAIN BENTLEY INSTRUMENT RESTORER HAS RETIRED. IT PAYS TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL RESTORER, IF THERE IS ONE, EARLY IN THE BUILD AND DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS WITH HIM.
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGES TO ENLARGE
THIS MAGNIFICENT DASHBOARD BELONGS TO THE CAR SHOWN ABOVE. IF A COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC DASHBOARD LAYOUT IS REQUIRED THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS AS EVEN THE EXISTING CARS CONSIDERED AS ORIGINAL MAY HAVE BEEN RE WORKED DURING THEIR LIFETIME. TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE THE REV COUNTER ON THIS DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE OF A LATER DATE THAN THE CAR.
YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR NICE INSTRUMENTS FROM DAY ONE OF YOUR BENTLEY HOOVERING, IT`S TOO LATE IF YOU CONCENTRATE ON OTHER ITEMS AND LEAVE THE INSTRUMENTS UNTIL LAST. AS YOU WON`T BE ABLE TO FIND THE RIGHT ONES AT THE RIGHT PRICE AND HAVE TO USE INFERIOR INSTRUMENTS WHICH WILL NEVER BE REPLACED BY BETTER ONES. I`M SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!
THE COMPETITION CARS HAD THE INSTRUMENTS PLACED IN THE DASHBOARD SO THAT THE RIDING MECHANIC COULD SEE THE ONES THAT HE NEEDED TO READ. AND THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE THE REV COUNTER PLACED WHERE HE COULD READ IT AT A GLANCE AS IT`S HIS MOST IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT.
WHEN LAYING OUT THE DASHBOARD FOR YOUR CAR IT`S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE SEAT IN THE DRIVING POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THEN, WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, YOU CAN PLACE THE CARDBOURD CUTOUTS OF THE IMPORTANT INSTRUMENTS WITH A BIT OF BLUE TAC OR DOUBLE SIDED STICKY TAPE IN THE POSITIONS ON THE TEMPORARY PANEL WHERE THEY ARE NOT OBSCURED BY THE BLADES OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS CAN BE THEN PLACED NEATLY AMONGST THEM.
TRY TO FIND SOME INTERESTING INSTRUMENTS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR PANEL STAND OUT FROM THE REST, DON`T OVERFILL THE PANEL WITH INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR DRIVING THE CAR.
THE REV COUNTER OR TACHOMETER
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE AND HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN SAVE BY GOING TO BOOT SALES OR THE BEAULIEU AUTOJUMBLE. THE "JAEGER" REV COUNTER SHOWN BELOW WAS OBTAINED FOR 10 EUROS AT A FRENCH JUMBLE SALE IT IS 4.5" IN DIAMETER AND POST WAR. ALL THAT HAS TO BE DONE IS TO MOUNT IT UPSIDE DOWN AS SHOWN IN THE RIGHT HAND PHOTO, TURN UP A NEW FLANGED RIM IN ALUMINIUM AND COVER OVER THE EXISTING DIGITS BY PRINTING OUT THE NUMBERS ON A BLACK BACKGROUND AND SIMPLY GLUEING THEM OVER. BY DOING THIS YOU WILL SAVE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OVER BUYING A NEW, WRONG INSTRUMENT AND HAVE A TACHO WITH THE RIGHT LOGO THAT WILL CAUSE SOME HEAD SCRATCHING BY THE ORIGINALITY POLICE.
THERE ARE MODERN INSTRUMENTS THAT CAN BE USED ON THE DASHBOARD BUT USUALLY THE GIVEAWAY IS THE CHROMED BEZEL WHICH SHOULD BE CHANGED TO A FLANGED ALUMINIUM BEZEL WHICH CAN THEN BE PAINTED BLACK.
THIS MAGNIFICENT DASHBOARD BELONGS TO THE CAR SHOWN ABOVE. IF A COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC DASHBOARD LAYOUT IS REQUIRED THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS AS EVEN THE EXISTING CARS CONSIDERED AS ORIGINAL MAY HAVE BEEN RE WORKED DURING THEIR LIFETIME. TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE THE REV COUNTER ON THIS DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE OF A LATER DATE THAN THE CAR.
YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR NICE INSTRUMENTS FROM DAY ONE OF YOUR BENTLEY HOOVERING, IT`S TOO LATE IF YOU CONCENTRATE ON OTHER ITEMS AND LEAVE THE INSTRUMENTS UNTIL LAST. AS YOU WON`T BE ABLE TO FIND THE RIGHT ONES AT THE RIGHT PRICE AND HAVE TO USE INFERIOR INSTRUMENTS WHICH WILL NEVER BE REPLACED BY BETTER ONES. I`M SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!
THE COMPETITION CARS HAD THE INSTRUMENTS PLACED IN THE DASHBOARD SO THAT THE RIDING MECHANIC COULD SEE THE ONES THAT HE NEEDED TO READ. AND THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE THE REV COUNTER PLACED WHERE HE COULD READ IT AT A GLANCE AS IT`S HIS MOST IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT.
WHEN LAYING OUT THE DASHBOARD FOR YOUR CAR IT`S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE SEAT IN THE DRIVING POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THEN, WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, YOU CAN PLACE THE CARDBOURD CUTOUTS OF THE IMPORTANT INSTRUMENTS WITH A BIT OF BLUE TAC OR DOUBLE SIDED STICKY TAPE IN THE POSITIONS ON THE TEMPORARY PANEL WHERE THEY ARE NOT OBSCURED BY THE BLADES OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS CAN BE THEN PLACED NEATLY AMONGST THEM.
TRY TO FIND SOME INTERESTING INSTRUMENTS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR PANEL STAND OUT FROM THE REST, DON`T OVERFILL THE PANEL WITH INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR DRIVING THE CAR.
THE REV COUNTER OR TACHOMETER
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE AND HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN SAVE BY GOING TO BOOT SALES OR THE BEAULIEU AUTOJUMBLE. THE "JAEGER" REV COUNTER SHOWN BELOW WAS OBTAINED FOR 10 EUROS AT A FRENCH JUMBLE SALE IT IS 4.5" IN DIAMETER AND POST WAR. ALL THAT HAS TO BE DONE IS TO MOUNT IT UPSIDE DOWN AS SHOWN IN THE RIGHT HAND PHOTO, TURN UP A NEW FLANGED RIM IN ALUMINIUM AND COVER OVER THE EXISTING DIGITS BY PRINTING OUT THE NUMBERS ON A BLACK BACKGROUND AND SIMPLY GLUEING THEM OVER. BY DOING THIS YOU WILL SAVE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OVER BUYING A NEW, WRONG INSTRUMENT AND HAVE A TACHO WITH THE RIGHT LOGO THAT WILL CAUSE SOME HEAD SCRATCHING BY THE ORIGINALITY POLICE.
THERE ARE MODERN INSTRUMENTS THAT CAN BE USED ON THE DASHBOARD BUT USUALLY THE GIVEAWAY IS THE CHROMED BEZEL WHICH SHOULD BE CHANGED TO A FLANGED ALUMINIUM BEZEL WHICH CAN THEN BE PAINTED BLACK.
ANOTHER TACHO SOLUTION
THE TACHO ABOVE IS A NEW OLD STOCK SMITHS INSTRUMENTS INDUSTRIAL TACHOMETER. THESE TACHOS HAVE BEEN USED FOR YEARS BY BITSA BUILDERS TO CONVERT INTO BENTLEY STYLE INSTRUMENTS. THIS TYPE OF TACHO USES A MAGNETIC SYSTEM TO ROTATE THE NEEDLE AND CAN BE EASILY CONVERTED TO GREATER OR LOWER RPM AND CAN ALSO BE MADE INTO SPEEDOMETERS. THIS PARTICULAR TACHO WHICH IS APROXIMATELY 3.5 INCHES DIA WAS PURCHASED AT THE 2012 BEAULIEU JUMBLE AND COST £35 INCLUDING CABLE. THEY CAN BE ROTATED THROUGH 180 DEGREES TO GIVE CORRECT ORIENTATION AND A BETTER FACIA IS RECOMMENDED. I RECENTLY SAW ONE OF THESE TACHOS ADVERTISED IN PREWARCAR FOR 300 EUROS! THERE IS ANOTHER IDENTICAL TYPE EXCEPT THAT IT HAS A LARGE CHROME BEZEL AND WILL NEED A FLANGED BEZEL FITTED.
YET ANOTHER TACHO SOLUTION
ANOTHER BEAULIEU FIND! THIS USED AIRCRAFT TACHO IS 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND DIFFERENT THAT IT`S GOING TO GRACE THE DASHBOARD ON MY NEW BITSA. IT WILL HAVE TO GO TO A PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENT MAKER TO BE OVERHAULED AND SUITABLY MODIFIED. I DON`T MIND THAT THE NEEDLE ROTATION WILL BE INCORRECT, IT`S BEAUTY TRANSCENDS SUCH DETAILS.
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO THE TACHO PROBLEM, THEY ARE OUT THERE, JUST FIND SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT GIVES YOU THAT GOOD FEELING EVERY TIME THAT YOU LOOK AT IT.
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO THE TACHO PROBLEM, THEY ARE OUT THERE, JUST FIND SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT GIVES YOU THAT GOOD FEELING EVERY TIME THAT YOU LOOK AT IT.
THE WESTON AMMETER
THIS IS A WESTON INSTRUMENT, PROBABLY WAR SURPLUS, THAT MEASURES IN MILLIAMPS. THESE ARE QUITE COMMON AND CAN BE ALTERED TO LOOK AND FUNCTION LIKE THE AMMETER THAT WAS USED ON THE LE MANS CARS. IT COST ME 3 EUROS AT A FRENCH JUMBLE SALE.
SWITCHES
THE SMITHS ROTATING LIGHT SWITCH AS USED ON THE STANDARD CARS WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR FOR THE RACING CARS WHICH HAD TO STAND UP TO A LOT OF BUMPS AND VIBRATION DURING THEIR DUELS ON THE BYFLEET BANKING OR THE STONE RIDDEN ROADS OF LE MANS. THE RACING MECHANICS USED AIRCRAFT QUALITY DUAL MAGNETO SWITCHES AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS BELOW
THE PHOTO ON THE LEFT SHOWS THE SWITCH WHICH HAS TWO TOGGLES FOR TWO SINGLE POLE CONTACTS, THE REASON BEING THAT IF ONE SWITCH FAILED THEN THE OTHER WOULD STILL FUNCTION. THIS SWITCH WAS INTENDED FOR SWITCHING THE AIRCRAFT MAGNETO OFF BY SIMPLY EARTHING THE ARMATURE. THE DIAMETER OF THE BASE IS 2 3/8", PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE REPLACED THE ORIGINAL BLACK COVER BY A BRASS ONE.
DURING WW1 FOR EXAMPLE THE ENGINE SPEED OF THE ROTARY ENGINE DURING LANDING WAS CONTROLLED BY SWITCHING THE MAGNETO ON AND OFF BY USING THIS SWITCH. THIS TYPE OF SWITCH WAS ALSO USED BY AIRCRAFT BETWEEN THE WARS AND DURING WW2 THE SWITCH IS NOT RATED AS IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO CARRY A CURRENT. HOWEVER THE BENTLEY RACING MECHANICS NOT ONLY USED THEM FOR THE MAGNETOS ON THE RACING CARS BUT FOR THE SIDELIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS AS WELL. THEY MODIFIED THE LONG TOGGLES WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR OPERATION BY THE PILOT WEARING GLOVES BY CUTTING OFF THE CIRCULAR PORTION OF THE TOGGLES, DRILLING TWO HOLES IN ONE OF THESE CIRCULAR PARTS TO TAKE THE TWO SHORTENED TOGGLES AND THEN SWEATING THE CIRCULAR PORTION ONTO THE SHORTENED TOGGLES SO THAT BOTH TOGGLES WERE ANCHORED TOGETHER. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD ABOVE OR TIM HOULDINGS DASHBOARD PHOTO YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THESE AIRCRAFT SWITCHES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AND THE VINTAGE AIRCRAFT BOYS HAVE STIRRED UP THE MUD DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE SWITCHES CAUSED BY THE BENTLEY BOYS DASHBOARD REQUIREMENTS. IF YOU FIND ANY THEY WILL BE EXCEEDINGLY EXPENSIVE.
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO MAKING SOME LOOK ALIKES FOR MY DASHBOARD AND WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM IN DUE COURSE.
DURING WW1 FOR EXAMPLE THE ENGINE SPEED OF THE ROTARY ENGINE DURING LANDING WAS CONTROLLED BY SWITCHING THE MAGNETO ON AND OFF BY USING THIS SWITCH. THIS TYPE OF SWITCH WAS ALSO USED BY AIRCRAFT BETWEEN THE WARS AND DURING WW2 THE SWITCH IS NOT RATED AS IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO CARRY A CURRENT. HOWEVER THE BENTLEY RACING MECHANICS NOT ONLY USED THEM FOR THE MAGNETOS ON THE RACING CARS BUT FOR THE SIDELIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS AS WELL. THEY MODIFIED THE LONG TOGGLES WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR OPERATION BY THE PILOT WEARING GLOVES BY CUTTING OFF THE CIRCULAR PORTION OF THE TOGGLES, DRILLING TWO HOLES IN ONE OF THESE CIRCULAR PARTS TO TAKE THE TWO SHORTENED TOGGLES AND THEN SWEATING THE CIRCULAR PORTION ONTO THE SHORTENED TOGGLES SO THAT BOTH TOGGLES WERE ANCHORED TOGETHER. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD ABOVE OR TIM HOULDINGS DASHBOARD PHOTO YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THESE AIRCRAFT SWITCHES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AND THE VINTAGE AIRCRAFT BOYS HAVE STIRRED UP THE MUD DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE SWITCHES CAUSED BY THE BENTLEY BOYS DASHBOARD REQUIREMENTS. IF YOU FIND ANY THEY WILL BE EXCEEDINGLY EXPENSIVE.
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO MAKING SOME LOOK ALIKES FOR MY DASHBOARD AND WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM IN DUE COURSE.
HAND OPERATED AIR PRESSURE PUMPS
THESE WERE USED BY LIGHT AIRCRAFT AND RACING CARS UP UNTIL THE THIRTIES, ALL THE BENTLEY RACING CARS USED THEM AS THE "AUTOVAC" VACUUM OPERATED PUMPS WERE NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH. EVEN THOUGH ELECTRIC PUMPS WERE USED ON THE LATER TEAM CARS THERE WOULD BE A HAND PUMP FITTED AS A FAIL SAFE SOLUTION AND THE SWITCH OVER OF FUEL AND PRESSURE PIPES WAS DONE BY THE VALVES ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.
THESE WERE USED BY LIGHT AIRCRAFT AND RACING CARS UP UNTIL THE THIRTIES, ALL THE BENTLEY RACING CARS USED THEM AS THE "AUTOVAC" VACUUM OPERATED PUMPS WERE NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH. EVEN THOUGH ELECTRIC PUMPS WERE USED ON THE LATER TEAM CARS THERE WOULD BE A HAND PUMP FITTED AS A FAIL SAFE SOLUTION AND THE SWITCH OVER OF FUEL AND PRESSURE PIPES WAS DONE BY THE VALVES ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.
"ENOTTS OF BIRMINGHAM" HAND PUMP
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THIS ENOTTS AIR PUMP IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE THAT CAN BE FOUND AT AUTO JUMBLES OR AT THE BEAULIEU AUTO JUMBLE. TWO YEARS AGO I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BUY THIS ONE FOR THE PRINCELY SUM OF £3. THE ICING ON THE CAKE WAS THAT IT HAD THE "WD" (WAR DEPARTMENT) LOGO STAMPED ON THE SCREWED CAP, MEANING THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO OR HAD BEEN FITTED TO A FIGHTER AIRCRAFT SUCH AS THE SOPWITH CAMEL OF WW1.
THE AIR PUMPS AS FITTED TO THE BENTLEY CARS HAD A WOODEN BALL FITTED TO THE PUSHROD INSTEAD OF THE HANDLE AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTO. ON THE EXP 2 CAR I HAD DECIDED TO HAVE A WORKING AIR PUMP TO PUSH THE FUEL FROM THE TANK UP TO THE CARBURETTORS. IN ORDER TO DO THIS THE TANK HAD TO BE AIRTIGHT WITH THE HOLE IN THE FILLER CAP BLOCKED. THIS WAS EFFECTIVELY CARRIED OUT BY INSERTING A FULL FIBRE WASHER THE SIZE OF THE CAP INNER DIAMETER. |
THIS WAS TO BE A DUAL AIR AND FUEL PUMP SYSTEM AND THE AIM WAS TO BE ABLE TO SWITCH OVER FROM THE AIR PUMP TO THE FUEL PUMP WHILST IN MOTION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VALVE SCREWED INTO THE END OF THE PUMP ABOVE, THIS IS A THREE WAY VALVE, ON, OFF AND A THIRD POSITION THAT ALLOWED AIR INTO THE SYSTEM SO THAT THE FUEL TANK DID NO IMPLODE WHEN THE ELECTRIC PUMP WAS STARTED. YOU WILL NEED TWO THREE WAY VALVES (ANOTHER BEAULIEU FIND) MOUNTED SO THAT THE OPERATING LEVERS ARE PROTRUDING THROUGH THE CHASSIS JUST BELOW THE DRIVER`S HAND
I ARRANGED THE PIPEWORK SO THAT THE TWO LEVERS WERE POINTING UPWARDS DURING HAND PUMPING AND DOWNWARDS WHILST THE ELECTRIC PUMP WAS IN OPERATION. THE FUEL CONNECTION ON THE 4.5 LITRE FUEL TANK WAS USED FOR THE FUEL PIPE AND THE HOBSON TELEGAUGE CONNECTION ON THE TOP OF THE TANK WAS USED FOR THE AIR CONNECTION. IT`S A LOT OF FUN TO USE THE HAND PUMP AND WHEN YOU GET FED UP WITH PUMPING JUST FLICK ON THE ELECTRIC PUMP SWITCH ON THE DASH AND ROTATE THE TWO CHASSIS VALVES DOWNWARDS AND THERE YOU ARE. WHOOPS! DON`T FORGET TO SWITCH THE 3 WAY VALVE ON THE HAND PUMP TO THE "OPEN" POSITION OR YOUR FUEL TANK WILL RESEMBLE A SQUASHED BEER CAN!
I ARRANGED THE PIPEWORK SO THAT THE TWO LEVERS WERE POINTING UPWARDS DURING HAND PUMPING AND DOWNWARDS WHILST THE ELECTRIC PUMP WAS IN OPERATION. THE FUEL CONNECTION ON THE 4.5 LITRE FUEL TANK WAS USED FOR THE FUEL PIPE AND THE HOBSON TELEGAUGE CONNECTION ON THE TOP OF THE TANK WAS USED FOR THE AIR CONNECTION. IT`S A LOT OF FUN TO USE THE HAND PUMP AND WHEN YOU GET FED UP WITH PUMPING JUST FLICK ON THE ELECTRIC PUMP SWITCH ON THE DASH AND ROTATE THE TWO CHASSIS VALVES DOWNWARDS AND THERE YOU ARE. WHOOPS! DON`T FORGET TO SWITCH THE 3 WAY VALVE ON THE HAND PUMP TO THE "OPEN" POSITION OR YOUR FUEL TANK WILL RESEMBLE A SQUASHED BEER CAN!