The Bentley is still all original. Not because I like it that way. I had to rebuild the two master cylinders and the six wheel cylinders. Two on each front wheel and one each on the rear. It took me over 40 hours to do and the brakes are still scary. The PO tried it and said they were better than they had ever been. It has to be the worst engineered brake system ever. The brake pedal activates a servo on the side of the transmission. The servo works the brakes IF the car is in gear. otherwise you just have mechanical brakes at the rear only. There is a delay between stepping on the brake and the brake taking hold. You have to anticipate how much brake pressure to use.
I was told that the V8 was designed by GM for Rolls/Bentley. It has two tempermental SU carburetors.
I wish I was brave enough to do what you're doing with the Rolls. The Bentley requires constant maintenance.
Now that it's drivable the PO want's to buy it back. He's a Brit and brought it over From England when he moved here. It was kicking around several garages who were supposed to fix the brakes and tune the Carbs but they all backed out when they saw what they were up against. He got an estimate for $3000 to fix the brakes by a shop that knew what it consisted of. I thought they were trying to rip him off till I got into it. I restored an Aston Martin for him a few years ago. And told him if he ever wanted to sell the Bentley to let me know. I really didn't think he would ever sell it. I caught him at the right time but now he regrets selling it as much as I regret buying it. I'm pretending to love it till we make a deal.
I have a question for you Don. I saw the picture of your model A with the welder next to it. When are you going to chop that thing? 4 to 6 inches would be about right.
AL

Bob my favorite tea is Micheloeb light.