Bentley 4½-Litre Vanden Plas-style Tourer, 1930
Bentley R Type
Bentley R Type•
•93 views
Chassis No.: PB 3544
£448,500 GBP | Sold
- Originally a saloon by Harrison
- Present ownership since 1987
- Carefully stored for the last 25 years
- Requires re-commissioning
W O Bentley proudly displayed the new 3-litre car bearing his name on Stand 126 at the 1919 Olympia Motor Exhibition, the prototype engine having fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. In only mildly developed form, this was the model which was to become a legend in motor racing history and which, with its leather-strapped bonnet, classical radiator design and British Racing Green livery has become the archetypal vintage sports car.
Early success in the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, when Bentleys finished second, fourth and fifth to take the Team Prize, led to the introduction of the TT Replica (later known as the Speed Model). However, by the middle of the decade the 3-Litre's competitiveness was on the wane and this, together with the fact that too many customers had been tempted to fit unsuitably heavy coachwork to the excellent 3-Litre chassis rather than accept the expense and complexity of Bentley's 6½-Litre 'Silent Six', led to the introduction of the '4½'.
The new 4½-Litre model effectively employed the chassis, transmission and brakes of the 3-Litre, combined with an engine that was in essence two-thirds of the six-cylinder 6½-litre unit. Thus the new four-cylinder motor retained the six's 100x140mm bore/stroke and Bentley's familiar four-valves-per-cylinder fixed-'head architecture, but reverted to the front-end vertical camshaft drive of the 3-Litre. Bentley Motors lost no time in race-proving its new car. It is believed that the first prototype engine went into the 3-Litre chassis of the 1927 Le Mans practice car. Subsequently this same engine was fitted to the first production 4½-Litre chassis for that year's Grand Prix d'Endurance at the Sarthe circuit.
The original 4½-Litre car, nicknamed by the team 'Old Mother Gun' and driven by Frank Clement and Leslie Callingham, promptly set the fastest race lap of 73.41mph before being eliminated in the infamous 'White House Crash' multiple pile-up.
The 4½-Litre was produced for four years, all but ten of the 667 cars being built on the 3-Litre's 'Long Standard', 10' 10"-wheelbase chassis. Purchasers of the 4½-Litre model were, in common with those of all Vintage-period Bentleys, free to specify their preferences from a very considerable range of mechanical and electrical equipment, in addition to whatever body style and coachbuilder might be required.
This 4½-Litre Bentley is one of the 657 built on the long (10' 10") chassis and originally carried saloon coachwork by R Harrison & Son of Stanhope Street, London NW1, a relative stone's throw from Bentley's factory in Cricklewood. Its first owner was one E B Graham and the Bentley retains its original registration, 'GC 7379'. At an unknown date, the original body was removed and a Vanden Plas-style tourer body fitted.
'GC 7379' was purchased by the vendor's deceased husband in 1987 (carbon-copy purchase invoice on file). The history file's contents show that various works were undertaken thereafter, including replacing the wheel hubs, rebuilding the wheels, and other mechanical refurbishment as detailed in sundry invoices.
Its late owner used the Bentley to attend shows and rallies, and drove the car as often as he could; indeed, he attempted to use all his cars at least once a month. The vendor's husband died in 1996, and his collection of cars remained mostly unused thereafter. This car, together with others from the same vendor, has been standing for up to 25 years and like the others, was running and usable when laid-up. They were all stored in a purpose-built, heated and dehumidified building, which the deceased gentleman had commissioned solely for the purpose of housing his cars. Having been standing for that period of time, they will require careful re-commissioning and safety checks prior to use by a new owner.
Presently on SORN, the Bentley is equipped with a full hood, hood cover, and tonneau cover. Accompanying documentation includes a current V5C; a copy old V5; a quantity of expired MoT certificates; some photographs; an original Bentley 4½-Litre sales brochure; miscellaneous papers; and the aforementioned assorted invoices, etc.
Cost
2,175,711 AED
