In the latest instalment in the series of ‘Friends of PWVC’, we sit down with Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company to delve into his classic car journey, motoring heroes, favourite cars of both today, & yesteryear and why he chose to align The Bentley Blower Jnr with a Private White V.C. wardrobe.

TLCC partner with the most elite prestigious marques in the world, what sets you apart?

The Little Car Company are the only manufacturer in the world to create fully brand-licensed scaled vehicles, we celebrate iconic cars of the past in a new electric way, working hand in hand with the original manufacturers throughout the design process to make our little cars as authentic as possible. Ferrari for instance gave us their hand-drawn engineering schematics of the 1957 Testa Rossa to ensure our Testa Rossa J had the exact same chassis design, suspension set up and steering geometry as the original, just at 75% scale.

Can you take us through the research, development and production cycle for one of your cars?

It’s an extensive process and that is why we employ some of the most experienced engineers in the industry from a range of testing environments. At the design stage, it’s important we have access to the original drawings to remain as authentic to the original as possible. Alongside this, we painstakingly 3D scan every component of the original car to grasp an understanding of dimensions and scale. Both these elements form the start point for design. On all of our cars, nothing is fake. By this I mean that if there are components on the car which are no longer needed – we repurpose them, rather than include them just for the aesthetics. For example, on the Bugatti Baby II, the iconic rear fuel filler cap has now been repurposed as the car’s electric charging point, and the fuel gauge is now the battery level indicator. Every prototype is meticulously examined by the brands that we work with before production can begin. This process involves many stakeholders from the Classic Design departments, through to their Test Pilots signing off the performance and handling of the vehicles to ensure they handle just like the original.

Who do you admire the most from within the motor industry?

Christian Von Koenigsegg, I have an admiration for the way he’s built his brand around exemplary feats of engineering and reaching new heights of technical development in the industry. Also Gordon Murray for his impact on automotive design.

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

You’ll find your way, stick with it and you’ll find your way even if it’s not the expected route you thought you’d take. I always wanted to be an automotive designer but could never draw well so I studied engineering, the key was always hard work and taking the opportunities I could and eventually, it led to following my dream career.

Tell me a surprising fact about TLCC?

We only went into production a little over 2 years ago but we’re on our way to building our 500th production car, with our latest launch in the Bentley Blower Jnr we’re looking forward to adding to that tally.

The Little Car Company x Bentley - The Bentley Blower Jnr
Gentleman Racer LTD - Videography & Photography

TLCC partner with the most elite prestigious marques in the world, what sets you apart?

The Little Car Company are the only manufacturer in the world to create fully brand-licensed scaled vehicles, we celebrate iconic cars of the past in a new electric way, working hand in hand with the original manufacturers throughout the design process to make our little cars as authentic as possible. Ferrari for instance gave us their hand-drawn engineering schematics of the 1957 Testa Rossa to ensure our Testa Rossa J had the exact same chassis design, suspension set up and steering geometry as the original, just at 75% scale.

What brought you into the world of classic cars?

When I was a kid I had to wait for my parents to finish work at their dentist's surgery, in the waiting room I used to flick through the pages of AutoCar magazine, that was what first fired my passion for cars, along with my favourite toy a model Porsche 911, a present from my uncle, from that day onwards I knew that I had to own a classic 911 one day!

Can you take us through the research, development and production cycle for one of your cars?

It’s an extensive process and that is why we employ some of the most experienced engineers in the industry from a range of testing environments. At the design stage, it’s important we have access to the original drawings to remain as authentic to the original as possible. Alongside this, we painstakingly 3D scan every component of the original car to grasp an understanding of dimensions and scale. Both these elements form the start point for design. On all of our cars, nothing is fake. By this I mean that if there are components on the car which are no longer needed – we repurpose them, rather than include them just for the aesthetics. For example, on the Bugatti Baby II, the iconic rear fuel filler cap has now been repurposed as the car’s electric charging point, and the fuel gauge is now the battery level indicator. Every prototype is meticulously examined by the brands that we work with before production can begin. This process involves many stakeholders from the Classic Design departments, through to their Test Pilots signing off the performance and handling of the vehicles to ensure they handle just like the original.

If you could commission a TLCC car for anyone in the world past or present, what car would it be and who would you choose?

I’d love to commission for Ettore Bugatti, TLCC started with the Bugatti Baby II, a homage to the original Bugatti Baby created by Ettore for his son Roland. We did the best possible job we could to reinterpret his design, it would be great to see his reaction and hopefully have his approval!

Favourite car of yesteryear?

RUF CRT Yellowbird, I loved it because it was an underdog car and wiped the floor with its competitors at the time out of nowhere!

Favourite car of today?

After having the lucky chance to drive one it has to be the Bugatti Chiron, just an unforgettable experience, it’s just next level in every way.

Who do you admire the most from within the motor industry?

Christian Von Koenigsegg, I have an admiration for the way he’s built his brand around exemplary feats of engineering and reaching new heights of technical development in the industry. Also Gordon Murray for his impact on automotive design.

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

You’ll find your way, stick with it and you’ll find your way even if it’s not the expected route you thought you’d take. I always wanted to be an automotive designer but could never draw well so I studied engineering, the key was always hard work and taking the opportunities I could and eventually, it led to following my dream career.