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I always wanted a model of the famous Blower Bentley - though it was not successful in races, it is an iconic vehicle. Franklin Mint put all his efforts into this and created a fine replica. After searchig for more than half a year on ebay and other sites (all were from € 100,00 upwards), I finally found one for € 30,00 - of course, without box, it had a crushed front wheel, bent mesh screens on the headlights which had also bent struts. The front wings were heavily bent upwards and the rear was missing a few tiny parts, some other parts that came loose - as I was the only bidder, I won it with my first bid. I was afraid ot breaking the struts for the front fenders, but managed to straighten them out as I did with the headlights and carefully bent everything back, also the mesh screens and tried to get the bent spokes on the left front wheel straight (the former owner must have dropped the model to the floor, according to the damage) - the loose parts at the rear were re-glued - the final touch were some old UK license plates on thin aluminium sheet. At last, I took a few photos and placed it beside Paul's model art (Minichamps) Mercedes SSK from the same era: the direct comparison confirms Ettore Bugatti's legendary saying that the "Bentleys were the fastest trucks ln the world" - the Mercedes is much lower and wider than its dark green rival. On to the pics:

8 years ago, I won this diecast model among others from an Italian ebayer for cheap - it was heavily damaged (2 wheels broken off, windshield missing). This is how it looked when I got it: It was quite simplified and looked too much toy-like - but: the proportions looked good, and I saw some potential in this . I wanted to look it more realistic without investing too much time and any money. I painted some details like wheels and exhaust pipe, then added a windshield from Tamiya's Lotus Seven, wrapped some medical plaster around the exhaust as heat protection, some fine photoetched mesh for the grille, duct tape simulated the hood leather straps. I removed the stickers and added decals from Patto and finally some dirt, soot and grime. During the process I knocked off a 3rd wheel and lost the hand crank up front and 2 wheel center locks never to be found again - the center locks have been replaced from the parts box, the crank is still missing.... Anyway, it came out like this - it was a quick easy project which made real fun - this is what it looks like now: the winner of the 1925 Italian GP (Monza) which brought Alfa Romeo the very first world championship; it cost me about $ 15,00 and a few hours of work/fun !