The 69th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, August 2019.

1931 Bentley 8-Litre

This vehicle is the only Bentley to be clothed with an American-Made Body. Chassis YR5085 was special ordered on February 13,th 1931 by C.H Mattheisen Jr of Santa Barbara. It was then sent to Walter M. Murphy company in Pasadena, Ca for its unique 2 door Victoria body. Designed by Franklin Hershey. It's lines are clean and simple, it does bare some styling cues from Murphy such as its long hood, flowing beaded fenders, hoodline and rakish angled windshield which were trademarks of Hershey's design. Only 100 8 litre Bentleys were built and were among the most powerful cars of their day.

Of the 100 8-litre Bentleys built 35 were on a 145-inch wheelbase and 65 were on the 153inch wheelbase. Very few of the original 8 litres were open car: fewer still were two door open Victorias. This vehicle is on short wheel base, and the coachwork was crafted out of alloy without using a wooden substructure much like contemporary English coachbuilders.

Although any 8 litre Bentley is considered rare and highly desirable this may be the rarest and most desirable of all, It is a one-off All-Alloy short wheelbase that was bodied in the USA. It is only 1 of 6 open 2 door examples.

Matthiessen owned the car for some 16 years. In 2007, a more recent restoration was completed and it was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

1931 Bentley 8-Litre

1931 Bentley 8-Litre Murphy Convertible Victoria Chassis Number: YR5085 Although any 8-Litre Bentley is considered rare, this Murphy Convertible Victoria is perhaps the rarest of them all. Of the 100 8-litre Bentley chassis produced, this is the only one of this famous series to have been fitted, when new, with an American body. On February 13, 1931, C.H. Matthiessen, Jr., of Santa Barbara, Ca. ordered Chassis YR5085, and commissioned the Walter M. Murphy company in Pasadena to design and build a two-door convertible body for his Bentley. Designed by Franklin Hershey, the body had very clean lines. It bared some of the celebrated Murphy styling cues such as the long, flowing beaded-edge fenders, hood line and a rakish angled windshield, which were trademarks of a Hershey design. Also unique for a Bentley was its all-metal construction. Matthiessen owned the car for some 16 years. In 2007, a more recent restoration was completed and it was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

1931 Bentley 8 Litre Murphy convertible victoria
Meadow Brook Concours, 2008

"The Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance at Rochester, Michigan, August 3, 2008.

Of one hundred 8 Litres built, this was the only one bodied in the United States, by Murphy of Pasadena. It was special ordered by a man in Santa Barbara, California. The designer was Franklin Hershey. This is one of only six open two-door 8 Litres.

This Bentley was part of a featured display of 8 Litre Bentleys and won Best in Class."

1931 Bentley 8-Litre Murphy Convertible Victoria, Chassis Number: YR5085

Although any 8-Litre Bentley is considered rare, this Murphy Convertible Victoria is perhaps the rarest of them all. Of the 100 8-litre Bentley chassis produced, this is the only one of this famous series to have been fitted, when new, with an American body.

On February 13, 1931, C.H. Matthiessen, Jr., of Santa Barbara, Ca. ordered Chassis YR5085, and commissioned the Walter M. Murphy company in Pasadena to design and build a two-door convertible body for his Bentley. Designed by Franklin Hershey, the body had very clean lines. It bared some of the celebrated Murphy styling cues such as the long, flowing beaded-edge fenders, hood line and a rakish angled windshield, which were trademarks of a Hershey design. Also unique for a Bentley was its all-metal construction. Matthiessen owned the car for some 16 years. In 2007, a more recent restoration was completed and it was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Stills from video of this car at the La Jolla Classic Car Show - January 11, 2008 at La Jolla Cove.

View video here.

Bentley 8-Litre Roadster by Murphy.

This previously 'unidentified' vintage Bentley has been identified as Chassis No. YR5085 by Olle Ljungström.

"Only 8-litre bodied by Murphy, Pasadena, Calif., USA. Bought by Don Weber in Mexico 1970. Was then with diesel engine and wooden wheels but original engine with car. Restored in England 1970-1976 to original spec. Best vintage Bentley at Kensington Gardens in 1976. Not listed in BDC 2006."

"These photographs were taken at Rolls-Royce Owner's Club Regional Meet at Salado, Texas, in May 1982. Car was owned at that time by Don E. Weber in San Antonio, Texas."

"Car was restored to original specifications in England during 1970-1976. It took "Best Vintage Bentley" at Kensington Gardens in 1976."

"This was the only 8-Litre bodied by Murphy of Pasadena, California. It was bought by Don Weber in Mexico in 1970. At that time he had a diesel engine and wooden wheels, but the original engine."

Sunny Diaz Mexico 1968