Summary
- Bentley Blower Junior is an 85% scale electric recreation of a famous racer
- Hedley Studios specializes in making small, electric versions of classic cars
- The Bentley Blower Junior has modern features like a charge port and alarmingly loud old-timey horn
- Despite its small size, the Blower Junior offers authentic driving experience similar to the original
- Priced at $115,000, the Blower Junior is a road-legal quadricycle with a range of up to 45 miles
Article
The Bentley Blower Junior is an 85% scale electric recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower, allowing enthusiasts to experience the thrill of driving a central seat car without the hefty price tag. Hedley Studios, a UK-based manufacturer, specializes in creating small electric versions of classic cars, including Bugatti, Aston Martin, and Ferrari models. The new Bentley Blower Junior is road legal in the UK, US, and EU, with a range of 45 miles and a top speed of 45 mph. It is powered by a 15 kW motor connected to a 10.8 kWh battery that takes four to five hours to charge.
Based on Bentley’s 1929 Team Car No. 2, the Bentley Blower Junior faithfully recreates the iconic racer in 85% scale. While smaller in size compared to the original, the Junior still offers an impressive presence on the road, with attention to detail in design to ensure a perfect facsimile of the original car. Modern touches, such as a trunk for charge cables, a charge port in place of the blower, and electronic dials, enhance the driving experience. The Blower Junior offers three drive modes, with Sport mode providing brisk acceleration and a top speed of 45 mph.
Despite its compact size, the Bentley Blower Junior offers a unique driving experience, reminiscent of vintage race cars. With a tight turning circle and a top speed of 45 mph, the Junior is well-suited for urban driving. The suspension, while period-accurate, can be firm over bumps, requiring passengers to buckle up for a comfortable ride. The central driving position and tactile steering wheel add to the excitement of driving the Blower Junior, making it a joy to navigate through city streets.
The Bentley Blower Junior’s authenticity and charm garner attention wherever it goes, with passersby admiring its unique design and electric powertrain. The compact dimensions and sleek styling make it a standout on the road, eliciting smiles and questions from onlookers. Despite its limited range and speed, the Blower Junior provides a fun and engaging driving experience, allowing drivers to relive the nostalgia of vintage racing while enjoying modern convenience.
While the Bentley Blower Junior offers a delightful driving experience, its price tag of $115,000 (£90,000) may be prohibitive for many enthusiasts. However, for those who can afford it, the Blower Junior provides a rare opportunity to own a hand-built, exquisitely crafted replica of a classic car. Its road-legal status sets it apart from other scaled-down replicas, allowing owners to use it for daily transportation while enjoying the thrill of vintage racing. With electrification making such creations feasible, the Blower Junior represents a unique blend of history and modern technology, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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