13191 Remote Control 4.5-litre 1927-31 Blower Car Building Set | 3,918 Pcs

RC 1927-31 Blower Car — The Supercharged Gentleman's Racer

This 1,000+ piece remote-controlled model recreates one of the most legendary pre-war racing machines ever built — the Bentley Blower, the supercharged 4½ Litre that terrified its competitors at Brooklands and Le Mans in the late 1920s. With RC motorization bringing this nearly century-old design to life, it bridges the gap between vintage elegance and modern building technology.

The Real Machine

The Bentley Blower was born from defiance. When W.O. Bentley himself refused to supercharge his engines — famously declaring he'd rather add more displacement — racing driver Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin took matters into his own hands. Funded by wealthy horse racing patron Dorothy Paget, Birkin fitted a Roots-type supercharger to the 4½ Litre Bentley, mounting it prominently in front of the radiator where it became the car's visual signature. The result was 240 horsepower in racing trim from a 4.4-liter four-cylinder — extraordinary for 1929. Only 55 supercharged examples were built between 1927 and 1931, out of 720 total 4½ Litre Bentleys. Though the Blower never won at Le Mans (the unsupercharged Speed Six took those honors), Birkin set a Brooklands outer-circuit lap record of 137.96 mph in 1932 that stood for years. Today, original Blower Bentleys are among the most valuable cars in existence, commanding prices exceeding €7 million at auction. The car was immortalized as the vehicle of choice for James Bond in Ian Fleming's original novels — before the films switched to Aston Martin.

Design & Build

At over 1,000 pieces with RC functionality, this model captures the Blower's unmistakable profile — the imposing radiator grille, the externally mounted supercharger with its distinctive intake pipes, the long hood, sweeping fenders, and that purposeful pre-war racing stance. The RC system allows motorized driving, adding a dynamic dimension to what would otherwise be a static vintage display. The exposed mechanical elements of the supercharger and engine are particular highlights, as the Blower's engineering was always meant to be seen. The vintage wheel design and period-correct proportions transport you to the Brooklands banking and the Mulsanne Straight of 1920s Le Mans.

What Builders Love

• Unique subject matter — Pre-war racing cars are extremely rare in the brick-building world, making this a genuinely distinctive addition to any collection
• RC brings history alive — Motorized driving adds engagement to a car that might otherwise be appreciated only visually
• Supercharger detail — The externally mounted blower is the car's defining feature, and seeing it represented in brick form is deeply satisfying for automotive historians
• James Bond connection — The literary Bond's car of choice adds a layer of cultural significance beyond racing heritage

Worth Considering

• Vintage aesthetics — Pre-war car design is an acquired taste; the angular, exposed-mechanicals look is dramatically different from modern supercars
• RC on vintage styling — The combination of RC motors with 1920s design may feel anachronistic to some purists
• Niche knowledge — Many viewers won't immediately recognize a Blower Bentley, so be prepared to explain its extraordinary history

Specifications

The Bottom Line

The RC Blower Car is a remarkable time machine in brick form — a chance to build and drive one of the rarest, most storied racing cars from the golden age of motorsport. With only 55 originals ever built and survivors worth millions, this RC model lets you experience the Blower Bentley's imposing presence and mechanical artistry at a fraction of the cost. For vintage racing enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates the raw, unfiltered approach to speed that defined pre-war motorsport, this is an unmissable build.