1926 | Bentley 3 Litre

Lot details

Year: 1926
Make: Bentley
Model: 3-litre Speed Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas
Registration: YP 9505
Chassis No: LM1333
Engine No: LM1334
Mileage: 5,834
•: Originally supplied as a Vanden Plas bodied sports tourer
•: Original engine
•: Modified slightly for hill climbing and racing, probably in the 1950's
•: Possibly one of the last remaining unrestored examples to be discovered

With characteristic humility Walter Owen Bentley was constantly amazed by the enthusiasm of later generations for the products of Bentley Motors Limited, and it is testimony to the soundness of his engineering design skills that so many of his products have survived. From the humblest of beginnings in a mews garage off Baker Street, London in 1919 the Bentley rapidly achieved fame as an exciting fast touring car, well able to compete with the best of European and American sports cars in the tough world of motor sport in the 1920s. Bentley's domination at Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 is legendary, and one can only admire the Herculean efforts of such giants as Woolf Barnato, Jack Dunfee, Tim Birkin and Sammy Davis, consistently wrestling the British Racing Green sports cars to victory. W O Bentley proudly unveiled 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. Bentley's four-cylinder 'fixed head' engine incorporated a single overhead camshaft, four-valves per cylinder and a bore/stroke of 80x149mm. Twin ML magnetos provided the ignition and power was transmitted via a four-speed gearbox with righthand change. The pressed-steel chassis started off with a wheelbase of 9' 9½”, then adopted dimensions of 10' 10” ('Standard Long') in 1923, the shorter frame being reserved for the TT Replica and subsequent Speed Model. Rear wheel brakes only were employed up to 1924 when four-wheel Perrot-type brakes were introduced. In only mildly developed form, this was the model that 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) on the existing 9' 9½” wheelbase, short standard chassis. Identified by the Red Label on its radiator, the Speed Model differed by having twin SU 'sloper' carburettors, a higher compression ratio, different camshaft and the close-ratio A-type gearbox, the latter being standard equipment prior to 1927 when the C-type 'box was adopted. These engine changes increased maximum power from the standard 70 to 80bhp and raised top speed to an impressive 90mph. Other enhancements included the larger (11-gallon) fuel tank and (usually) Andre Hartford shock absorbers. Bentley made approximately 1,600 3-Litre models, the majority of which were bodied by Vanden Plas with either open tourer or saloon coachwork.

This is a hugely exciting opportunity to purchase an unrestored example of an original Vanden Plas bodied 1926 Bentely 3-litre Red Label 'Speed' model. Very few examples like this are likely to be in existence in this condition and it will be a very rewarding project for its new custodian. This Bentley was originally supplied to a Mr N.Ciclitira in 1926 and our vendor purchased it from a family who he understands, had owned the car since the 1940's. The car was stored in a garage from at least 1963 until 2020, but this cannot be substantiated. The car was originally bodied as a four-seat sports tourer by Vanden Plas and it would appear that the doors and some sections of the bodywork are very likely to be the originals (not 100% verified), with other areas of wood sections looking to have been replaced at some time. The car retains its original engine, numbered LM1334 which are confirmed by the factory records and it also retains its very desirable SU 'sloper' carburettors.

It is known that the car was used in competitions (Hill Climb/Circuit) prior to have been put into storage, with some modifications having been made to better suit competition use. The car is fitted with a larger Le Mans style fuel tank on the rear, smaller 18-inch rear wheels with larger sidewall tyres, different wings and a racing exhaust. We cannot say for sure when these modifications would have been made, but it is understood to have been some time in the 1950's. This car is remarkably complete and viewing is of course highly recommended. Consigned by Fraser Smith