Well-known Bentley collector and racer David Llewellyn constructed the 6.5-liter Le Mans-style tourer going to auction next week from parts and upgraded it with the engine block of an 8-liter model. The car started life fitted with Weyman-type saloon coachwork by H J Mulliner and was first registered in the UK on 30 June 1929. David Llewellyn built the Bentley as a copy of a Le Mans Speed Six with replica Vanden Plas-type coachwork, and its 8-liter engine delivers tremendous torque.

Mounted in reverse on the crankcase, the 8-liter block retains the appearance of the 6.5-liter, while the gearbox, axles, and steering box are genuine Bentley. The car was further improved by fitting servo to the braking system, and in 2007 a full restoration was complete in time for the 2007 Paris-Peking Rally. As you can imagine, the Bentley returned slightly worse for wear and the chassis was thus replaced with a Julian Ghosh frame and stamped with the original chassis number FA2510. Described as an honest, trouble-free Bentley, its eligible for a host of prestigious events and should fetch in the region of 650,000 Euros when it gets auctioned in Paris on 2 February.