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The Little Bentley
The name "little Bentley" has always been applied to Marendaz cars, and they certainly bore a strong resemblance to the world-famous 3-litre car, especially as regards the front end. The designer, D. M. K. Marendaz, was formerly concerned with the production of the Marseal touring car, but about 1924 built a 1.5-litre car of his own design, which was fairly successful in competition work. During the ensuing years various types were marketed, four, six and eight-cylinder cars. The 11/55-h.p. four-cylinder cars had a side-valve engine of 1496-c.c., and dual ignition was featured. The eight-cylinder cars had a bore and stroke of 52-mm. and 88-mm., and could be supplied with or without blower.
The latter had an overhead inlet and side exhaust valves, an arrangement which was gain its advocates in the engineering world, as was evidenced by later Rolls-Royce and Bentley engines. A 9/90 model (59 x 100-mm„ 1,087-c.c.) with o.h.v. was marketed for 1928. The Marendaz was also one of the few cars with a fully floating rear axle, which was noted for its silence. Rear axle, gearbox and torque tube were in unit construction. The lubrication system, although rather elaborate, was undoubtedly efficient, and the car stood up to a hard life admirably. Steering and road-holding were well above average, whilst the semi-elliptic front and cantilever rear springs gave a measure of comfort not usually associated with sporting machinery of the late 'twenties. The novel, geared-down brake pedal was highly ingenious.
The cars remained in production until 1936. Later models were the 13/70 and the 13/90 (supercharged). Engines were six-cylinder, of 1869-c.c. (59 x 114-mm.), and a 1999-c.c. car was also available, having a 61-mm. bore, and blown to boot. The other cars, all with six-cylinder power units, were the Fifteen (65 x 100-mm., 1991-c.c.) and the Seventeen (67.5 x 112-mm„ 2367-c.c.), or, from 1934-36, 67.5 x 114-mm., 2500-c.c. Somehow or other, the Marendaz Special was not quite to everyone's taste, and acquired a name for being temperamental. Some particularly good cars were built, nevertheless, but the cars achieved very little in the way of competition success, except in the hands of their designer. However, Mrs. Moss had several awards in trials with her very smart white Marendaz, and possibly, with more backing, a really first-class sports car would have evolved. |
