1948 Bentley Speed 8 “Peking to Paris spec” by Racing Green FULL OPTIONS

There are Bentleys you admire for the model itself. There are Bentleys you appreciate because of their history. And every now and then, there is a Bentley in which all of that comes together with something at least as important: the desire to simply set off in it. Not for a quick drive around the block, but to go on an adventure.

After all, the Bentley name was built on exactly that kind of spirit. Large engines, long distances, demanding conditions, and drivers who believed that speed and comfort could coexist perfectly well. The famous Bentley Boys made their name in the 1920s and 1930s with cars that did not need to be treated delicately, but were instead designed to be driven fast and hard for long periods of time. Le Mans, Brooklands, crossing Europe: Bentley stood for speed, endurance, and a very particular kind of British bravado.

This Racing Green Speed 8 captures exactly that feeling. Not as a replica of one specific historic car, but as a modern interpretation of what a large Bentley built for long-distance adventure should be. Its appearance comes straight from the glory days of the great open Bentleys, but technically it has been created with one very clear purpose in mind: covering miles. A lot of miles. And not just on perfect pavement.

The name “Peking to Paris” really says it all. This is the kind of car you take across rough roads, endless straights, mountain passes, and through days when the horizon never seems to get any closer. A Bentley that is not afraid of dust, temperature changes, or distances that would make other classics nervous.

Beneath that enormous hood lies a B81 eight-cylinder engine. A powerplant that suits the character of this car perfectly. Plenty of displacement, plenty of flexibility, and above all that deep, dark note at low revs. Not a nervous engine that constantly wants to be spun hard, but rather a power source that feels relaxed as you build speed and then encourages you to keep going almost indefinitely.

This Bentley is also equipped with a High Ratio 14.41 differential. That may sound technical, but on the road you immediately understand why it matters. The engine runs at lower revs at higher speeds, making long stretches far more comfortable. At the same time, the car retains that heavy, mechanical feel you expect from a Bentley of this size. And that makes it genuinely special to drive.

You sit high, look out over a long hood, and are constantly aware of just how much car surrounds you. But once you are up to speed, everything falls into place. The car feels stable, and you get that unmistakable sensation that large Bentleys are so good at delivering.

This example is also virtually new. With just 600 miles on the odometer, it is barely broken in and remains in a condition entirely consistent with that mileage. The Piano Black exterior with Oxblood leather may well be the perfect choice. Dark, elegant, and classic.

The specification also shows just how seriously this Bentley was configured. No fewer than 46 options were selected, including the Comfort Seats. And in a car like this, that is no minor detail. If you are spending days on the road, sitting well makes at least as much difference as power or grip. That is also exactly what Racing Green is known for.

They do not build theatrical show cars that only look good on a concours lawn. They build Bentleys with the kind of presence that evokes Le Mans and the Bentley Boys, but with engineering designed to be genuinely used. Classic proportions, modern reliability, and above all a great deal of attention paid to the driving experience itself.

And perhaps that is the greatest charm of this car. You do not need to explain it. You get in, close the door, start that enormous eight-cylinder engine, and set off. The car does the rest. Low revs, effortless flexibility, a deep soundtrack, and the feeling that a thousand kilometers down the road really is not very far at all. Peking to Paris? That is exactly the kind of journey this Bentley seems to have been built for.

And if you want to escape the crowds for a while, this may well be one of the most stylish ways to do it. A gentleman's Bentley. Interested? Contact Gallery Aaldering today and discover this Bentley for yourself. We export our vehicles worldwide; please ask us about the possibilities.

* "Brand new" with just 600 miles on the odometer
* Equipped with a B81 engine and a High Ratio 14.41 differential: that means a deep-dark sound at low RPMs or "the fastest" on the highway
* In Piano Black with Oxblood leather
* If you have to survive humanity - you'll do it with this gentlemen's-style 'Peking to Paris Racing Green' Bentley
* 46 options: such as the Comfort Seats