1938 Bentley ‘Embiricos’ by John Elwell

John Elwell (British, born 1949)

A spectacular, one-off large scale model of the famous 1938 Bentley ‘Embiricos’ Special, built of Duralumin (a lightweight aluminium alloy), to the order of French-Greek racing driver and playboy André Embiricos. This, undoubtedly John Elwell’s tour de force, required more than 1,200 hours of skilled craftsmanship to create (with the help of detailed drawings), and has just been completed. Remarkable in its fine detail, it is approximately 1:4 scale and measure an imposing 56 inches in length. Elwell has created the model in lightweight aluminium in his signature ‘riveted’ style, with a complete interior and intricately detailed dashboard, clearly visible through the rear windscreen.

The Bentley ‘Embiricos’ Special was the work of Parisian coachbuilder André Pourtout to the designs of their leading French stylist and aerodynamicist George Paulin (1902-1942). Paulin was a hero of the French Resistance and perished serving his country in 1942. Embiricos had high-speed Continental touring and racing in mind when he commissioned this astonishing car, which he enjoyed for 2 seasons. Sold by Embiricos just before the war, it entered the 1949 Le Mans 24-hour race where it placed 6th. It entered twice more in the early 1950s, completing the race on both occasions. John Elwell’s outstanding creation (like all the work he has created for the Pullman Gallery since 2004), is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece which he will never repeat. Signed to a Sterling silver plaque fixed to the side is The Embiricos Bentley, John Elwell 2020, 1/1.

Length: 56 inches (142 cm)
Width:  19 inches (48 cm)
Height: 17 inches (43 cm)

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