In 1964 my dad owned a diesel powered 1930's Mercedes SSK registration number ALB 804. Apparently it was common to fit diesel engines into pre war cars after ww2
That is so cool. I love the tractor sound of the gearbox...It would take a while for that learning curve of driving on the English streets for someone across the pond....
The "old Bentley" fraternity will be raging with anger about now, sod them, I think it's brilliant, givers the old girl a 2nd lease of life, plenty of torque & I assume reasonably quick from lower down the rev range 😁👍 PS now subscribed
Yes, I believe it was a collaborative effort between the Gardner family and Lagonda , who experimented with specially modified/lightened Gardner diesels in their LG45 models in around 1935.
In the US, Clessie Cummins tested his early engines in his Model A Duesenberg, a Cadillac and an Auburn so the practice of diesels in luxury cars is very old.
What sort of Diesel is it? I remember reading years ago how servicemen returning from Europe after WW2 bought a hand ful of Mercedes 380K,500K and so on, and some were repowered with Gardner Diesels to keep them Mobile.
At first i thought the SU's could have been used to limit the flow of air into the engine without providing any fuel but the air from the turbo isn't even going trough the SU's... it might not even be hooked up to anything and is just there for the sound.
@@User-bh7qt I think the carbs are just there for decoration , if you look above them it looks like a boost pipe from the pressure side of the turbo going into the top of the engine
@@vintagebentley well I was involved donkey's years ago (early 90s, I'm an old git) and they might have become less insular since then... Not that it matters, it's your car to do as you please with. I suppose you'll need to find a Mercedes Benz SSK to put a Gardner in now🤭
Not being funny but apart from the clatter how comparable is it to let's say a 4.5 litre petrol Bentley to drive? I hope you have taken it to a Bentley owners club meet!
First engine picked up big end, the second engine had massive loss in power, we had 2 weeks until anniversary for a Bentley event so it was a quick swap to get us there and has just stuck in since, we've been too busy to rebuild the other engines to refit
@ wonderful, I love my other 4-1/2 , 3 L and 4 litre cars but my turbo diesel is way more fun, I like to see rows of 4-1/2’s at the concourse then see the crowd round Lucius, the Duke of Kent said it was his favourite car! That is all I need.
if I could afford one ,a diesel Bentley ,yes please.
In 1964 my dad owned a diesel powered 1930's Mercedes SSK registration number ALB 804. Apparently it was common to fit diesel engines into pre war cars after ww2
Never seen a diesel Bentley
What great video, seems more capable in modern traffic.
Bet a Commer Double Knocker would've sounded good in that !!
That's absolutely brilliant! It would be my daily and I would greatly enjoy taking it to all the well-to-do functions!
That is so cool. I love the tractor sound of the gearbox...It would take a while for that learning curve of driving on the English streets for someone across the pond....
Imagine a lorry, 44tons and only 2-3 inches either side........driving for 10hours a day.
The "old Bentley" fraternity will be raging with anger about now, sod them, I think it's brilliant, givers the old girl a 2nd lease of life, plenty of torque & I assume reasonably quick from lower down the rev range 😁👍
PS now subscribed
Are the SUs to meter the air into that lump?
The SU's is a nice tough Mate!
Excellent, subscribed for more!
Have to say I love that.
Good grief those roads are narrow
There were some Gardner powered prewar cars (big ones) but I assume they were natural aspirated
Yes, I believe it was a collaborative effort between the Gardner family and Lagonda , who experimented with specially modified/lightened Gardner diesels in their LG45 models in around 1935.
In the US, Clessie Cummins tested his early engines in his Model A Duesenberg, a Cadillac and an Auburn so the practice of diesels in luxury cars is very old.
Love the idea of a diesel Bentley, have to ask is the fuel consumption better with the diesel engine
Fuel consumption is excellent, you can always find cooking oil if you get caught short. 😅
Now the Bentley is a real lorry!
sometime diesel engine companys did this swop engine for own makes
What sort of Diesel is it? I remember reading years ago how servicemen returning from Europe after WW2 bought a hand ful of Mercedes 380K,500K and so on, and some were repowered with Gardner Diesels to keep them Mobile.
Om 352
I see the injector pump and it sounds the part but what's with the three SU's?
At first i thought the SU's could have been used to limit the flow of air into the engine without providing any fuel but the air from the turbo isn't even going trough the SU's... it might not even be hooked up to anything and is just there for the sound.
@@User-bh7qt And confusion
@@User-bh7qtsu’s are dummy
@@User-bh7qt I think the carbs are just there for decoration , if you look above them it looks like a boost pipe from the pressure side of the turbo going into the top of the engine
Diesel ?
I like it but I bet the Bentley Drivers Club is looking for a hit man🤣
They love it
@@vintagebentley hahaha. Wouldn't have been the case when I was involved with that scene but that was ages ago.
@@tturtle1659 well I’ve been involved with the scene for 20 years and Jimmy always says this is his favourite car of any event we do.
@@vintagebentley well I was involved donkey's years ago (early 90s, I'm an old git) and they might have become less insular since then... Not that it matters, it's your car to do as you please with. I suppose you'll need to find a Mercedes Benz SSK to put a Gardner in now🤭
why does it have SU carbs on it?
Why not?
Not being funny but apart from the clatter how comparable is it to let's say a 4.5 litre petrol Bentley to drive? I hope you have taken it to a Bentley owners club meet!
Faster than a 4-1/2 and cheaper to run.
WHY would anyone do this? It sounds absolutely awful, I hope you still have the original engine to re fit.
First engine picked up big end, the second engine had massive loss in power, we had 2 weeks until anniversary for a Bentley event so it was a quick swap to get us there and has just stuck in since, we've been too busy to rebuild the other engines to refit
@@vintagebentley Glad to hear you still have an original engine, it is the very essence of driving a vintage Bentley.
so those SU carbs are just dummies? The diesel sound sorta suits the old bus. Now I want to see one with a battery EV swap.
Funnily enough we have done one of those too... on our website if you find the section "EV Bentley Mk6 two seater special Electric Vehicle"
What a horrible set up ?
What do you have in your Bentley?
@vintagebentley 41/4litre
@ wonderful, I love my other 4-1/2 , 3 L and 4 litre cars but my turbo diesel is way more fun, I like to see rows of 4-1/2’s at the concourse then see the crowd round Lucius, the Duke of Kent said it was his favourite car! That is all I need.
@@johnrose7491that’s a Rolls-Royce.