markb57

MatcheFuzze.......Yes - that's the one! I didn't think about s-mail, but maybe your suggestion is the place to start. I'll use some old school paper, lick a couple of postage stamps, and see if I can connect to them that way. Thanks for your help! Mark

Jerry - thanks for your response....I have read a bit about the I-6/F-head variants. I am really interested in the aluminum I-6 in the VDP, but i'm distressed that it is such an orphan, as you have confirmed for me. Have fun with yours! Have you thought about building a simple old-skool roadster around it? It would be quite an attention grabber with the RR on the engine when you open the bonnet! Thanks again! Mark

All: Sorry for this fairly tangential question, but I am out of leads, and I know this is a diverse group with a specialty in vehicles obscure but interesting. I have a lead on a VDP Princess "R" here in the states, currently not running but turns over by hand, but I am holding back until I can establish a source for spares. I do not have a machine shop, so I can't just whip up a part that I can't buy. I have tried the VDP owner's club forum, but it somehow doesn't respond (I have tried three browsers and several log in accounts) and there is no response from the web master when I email. Oh,and the RR shop in the nearest big city (Indianapolis) says he can not get spares. So..... does anybody on this forum know of a place to get spares for these obscure variants of the B-60 engine? I am OK with a source in the UK if it is large enough to be in business for a while.... Oh - and I am reasonably confident that the rest of the vehicle uses relatively common Austin parts, probably big Healy commonality, so I am not that worried about those parts. Engine only.... Thanks for any help! Mark Bridgeman

Great input from all. Tanks a lot! (accidentally missed the "h" key, but decided it was serendipity and left it out!) Mark B. Indiana, USA

Nick, Thanks for your valuable insight! Mark

Hi All, I have a question that is not directly related, but since this group is a font of knowledge about all sorts of obscure engine and vehicle information I thought I would ask here. I have read about the Rolls Royce six cylinder engine that was installed in the Van Den Plas Princess R, which featured an aluminum block, but was, if I understand correctly, otherwise an RB 60. I thought that this was interesting but of no real concern to me since I assumed that they were mostly sold in the UK. But yesterday I read that two thirds of these were shipped to North America and this suddenly became interesting to me as I contemplate the possibilities of a Bentley special. Does anyone know if this aluminum block six shares most of it's components with the RB 60, or is the commonality in name only, so spare parts availability would be a nightmare. Many thanks for any information available. Mark B. Indiana, USA

Robin - Naturally, I had to click over to youtube and watch Stalwarts (previously unknown to me, but as I now know are a.k.a. "Stollies") drive across, through and over muck, mud, woods, puddles, piles and navigable bodies of water. Looked like fun, and the sound of the big Rolls was great! I'm interested to hear what you find out. Thanks, Mark

Hi Robin, Thanks for your response, and your knowing inquiry. I have a vision (yikes!) of a Bentley-based roadster, a la http://www.vintageracing.eu/bentley-b-special-alpine/. THis has absolutely captured my imagination. I am still trying to decide if this is beyond my abilities (given that I have a lot to learn, as well - I am taking racing fabrication courses in Indianapolis). I am not sure that the Bentley 6 wouldn't suffice as the powerplant, but the straight-8 would add some magic. My alternate, and much more manageable visions would be an MGTD based special, based on a TD that someone had already hacked up. I don't want to hack up a matching-numbers vintage car, and I am not interested in Concourse. Hope that all makes sense.... It sounds like you have some insight on these engines on this side of the Atlantic? Thanks again, Mark

Hi All, I’m a not-so-young-anymore engineering technology instructor at a local technical college, with prior experience in the aircraft engine and diesel engine fields. My present locale is southern Indiana, USA. With an interest in all things motive, from a military family and a history buff to boot, naturally I am interested in military vehicles. I found HMVF while poking around the internet trying to find out the availability of Rolls B80 engines on this side of the Atlantic. I like the “vibe” on HMVF, and look forward to browsing the forums while also finding out if there are B80s available stateside. Mark B. Columbus, IN, USA