English
Lietuvių
Latviešu
Eesti
Polski
Русский
Українська
Deutsch
Nederlands
Čeština
Slovenčina
Svenska
Norsk
Dansk
Suomi
Bentley 8 Litre: 1930–1932 W. O. Bentley's final masterpiece
The Bentley 8 Litre — a luxurious and powerful car produced from 1930–1932, considered the last model created by W. O. Bentley. We look at its history, technology, and what to know when evaluating the 8 Litre as a highly rare collectible car.
8 Litre in brief
The 8 Litre was the largest and most luxurious Bentley model, debuting in 1930, just before Bentley Motors went bankrupt and was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1931. It was designed as a direct competitor to Rolls-Royce in the class of large luxury limousines.
Only around a hundred of these cars were produced, making them extremely rare and highly valued today. Many surviving examples feature unique coachbuilt bodies.
Chassis and body
The 8 Litre was produced as a chassis (running gear with engine), which coachbuilders like Barker, Mulliner, Park Ward, and others would then clad with a body to the client's specifications. Therefore, each car can be unique.
Two wheelbases were offered, so body styles ranged from elegant sedans to open tourers. When evaluating the car, it's important to check the body's provenance and originality.
Engine and gearbox
The 8 Litre is powered by an approximately 8-litre inline six-cylinder engine (around 220 hp) with a single overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder. The gearbox is a four-speed manual, and the car is rear-wheel drive.
This technology ensured a massive amount of torque and smooth driving — for luxury limousines of the time, this was a standout feature. However, its maintenance requires highly qualified specialists.
What to know when evaluating an 8 Litre
This is a very rare and expensive collectible car, so first and foremost, its provenance, documentation, and originality are crucial. Check the chassis, engine, and body numbers for any major alterations.
The engine, gearbox, brakes, and electrical systems should be assessed by a specialist familiar with pre-war Bentleys. The wooden body construction and finish may also require expensive restoration.
Due to its extremely high price and value, it is essential to enlist an independent expert, and it is best to buy from reputable auction houses or specialized dealers.
Trim levels
The 8 Litre was produced as a chassis with a custom body; we list the main body styles.
8 Litre Saloon
1930–1932 modelsClosed luxury body.
- Approximately 8-litre inline six-cylinder engine (around 220 hp)
- Often — bespoke coachwork
- Often — luxurious interior
8 Litre Tourer
1930–1932 modelsOpen body.
- Approximately 8-litre inline six-cylinder engine (around 220 hp)
- Open body.
- Often — a sportier character
8 Litre Coupe
1930–1932 modelsElegant two-door body.
- Approximately 8-litre inline six-cylinder engine (around 220 hp)
- Often — bespoke coachwork.
- Often — luxurious trim.
8-litre buying scenarios compared
| Originali būklė | Kokybiškai restauruota | Reikalinga restauracija | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | For collectors | Show cars and rally cars | For enthusiasts with deep pockets |
| The most important thing | Authenticity and history | Restoration documentation | Parts availability and cost |
| Risk | Maintenance costs | Quality of workmanship | High additional costs |
| Price in the used market (relatively) | €€€ | €€€ | €€€ |
The 8 Litre is only for serious collectors and requires thorough checking of its history and authenticity. Buying without specialist help is not recommended.
Pros
- Very rare and historically significant
- A powerful and smooth large-displacement engine
- Unique bodywork crafted by specialist coachbuilders
- High collector's value
Cons
- Very rare and expensive
- Extremely complex and costly maintenance
- Authenticity checks are difficult
Frequently asked questions
How many 8 Litres were made?
Only around a hundred of these cars were produced, making them extremely rare.
Why do 8 Litre bodies differ?
Because it was built on a chassis, and the bodies were created by independent coachbuilders to the clients' specifications.
Is the 8 Litre suitable for daily use?
This is an extremely rare pre-war collector's car, so it should be used with caution and with the help of specialists.
Updated 2026-10-21 · Trim levels and equipment vary by market and model year — check the equipment of the specific car. · Translated automatically
