BENTLEY ANYONE; ROSAMOND GETS TASTE OF MOTORCAR LEGACY.

Byline: Romy Jacobson Daily News Staff Writer

It costs twice as much as an average Antelope Valley house, but can fit in the garage.

Bentley Motor Cars is flying prospective buyers from Santa Monica to the Antelope Valley to test drive its first four-door in 18 years, dubbed the Arnage.

The cost? Only $203,000 - but it includes a cell phone.

``This is totally out of my league. I will never be able to afford one of these,'' says Leona Valley resident Tom Gilbert, a pickup-truck driver who was one of the people checking out the cars at Willow Springs International Raceway. ``The closest I'll ever get is when George takes me out on a ride in his.''

Gilbert and his family were invited to see the newest Bentley by his wife's uncle, George Lux of Fullerton, one of a dozen members of the Bentley Drivers Club who had their motorcars on display. Lux drives a gray 1951 MK VI he and his family affectionately call ``Lady B.''

``They (older Bentleys) are just as expensive as the new ones even though they're as old as my grandmother,'' says Gilbert, who drives a 1994 Chevy pickup. ``It's so beautiful you don't even want to touch it.''

The car company invited potential customers through its dealers to test-drive the Arnage today and Thursday at Willow Springs, according to Bentley Motor Cars national marketing director John Bingham.

Willow Springs was chosen because of its degree of difficulty. It is filled with several tight curves and steep inclines.

``We wanted to be able to provide our customers with the opportunity to drive on a far more challenging track,'' says Bingham.

The new 2-1/4-ton Bentley sports a 4-1/2-liter, 32-valve, 350-horsepower V-8 engine and gets about 16.8 miles per gallon. It can go from zero to 60 mph in just over six seconds, reaching top speeds of 155 mph.

Inside, it has a burl walnut instrument panel, leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather seats.

At the race track Tuesday, Peter Hageman of Seattle displayed his green 1929 VDP Tourer, complete with a British flag on both doors and ready to be raced in Le Mans.

Hageman's fascination with the Bentley can be traced back to his childhood and the Matchbox toy cars he used to collect.

``They were the cars for the wealthy gentlemen that liked to race,'' said Hageman, northwest region chairman of the Bentley Drivers Club. ``They're pretty bulletproof. They're very reliable.''

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color in AV Edition only) One of the newly introduced Bentley Arnages takes a lap at the Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond on Tuesday.

(2--Color in AV Edition only) A 1929 Bentley VDP Tourer drives between a row of antique Bentleys on the left and the new Arnages on the right.

(3--Color in AV Edition only) Daniel Gilbert, left, and his brother Ethan of Leona Valley inspect the undercarriage of a 1929 Bentley VDP Tourer.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News