1931 Bentley 8-Litre

1931 Bentley 8-Litre Murphy Convertible Victoria Chassis Number: YR5085 Although any 8-Litre Bentley is considered rare, this Murphy Convertible Victoria is perhaps the rarest of them all. Of the 100 8-litre Bentley chassis produced, this is the only one of this famous series to have been fitted, when new, with an American body. On February 13, 1931, C.H. Matthiessen, Jr., of Santa Barbara, Ca. ordered Chassis YR5085, and commissioned the Walter M. Murphy company in Pasadena to design and build a two-door convertible body for his Bentley. Designed by Franklin Hershey, the body had very clean lines. It bared some of the celebrated Murphy styling cues such as the long, flowing beaded-edge fenders, hood line and a rakish angled windshield, which were trademarks of a Hershey design. Also unique for a Bentley was its all-metal construction. Matthiessen owned the car for some 16 years. In 2007, a more recent restoration was completed and it was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This car is for sale as of May 18, 2009.

1931 Bentley 8-Litre Murphy Convertible Victoria, Chassis Number: YR5085

Although any 8-Litre Bentley is considered rare, this Murphy Convertible Victoria is perhaps the rarest of them all. Of the 100 8-litre Bentley chassis produced, this is the only one of this famous series to have been fitted, when new, with an American body.

On February 13, 1931, C.H. Matthiessen, Jr., of Santa Barbara, Ca. ordered Chassis YR5085, and commissioned the Walter M. Murphy company in Pasadena to design and build a two-door convertible body for his Bentley. Designed by Franklin Hershey, the body had very clean lines. It bared some of the celebrated Murphy styling cues such as the long, flowing beaded-edge fenders, hood line and a rakish angled windshield, which were trademarks of a Hershey design. Also unique for a Bentley was its all-metal construction. Matthiessen owned the car for some 16 years. In 2007, a more recent restoration was completed and it was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Stills from video of this car at the La Jolla Classic Car Show - January 11, 2008 at La Jolla Cove.

View video here.

Bentley 8-Litre Roadster by Murphy.

This previously 'unidentified' vintage Bentley has been identified as Chassis No. YR5085 by Olle Ljungström.

"Only 8-litre bodied by Murphy, Pasadena, Calif., USA. Bought by Don Weber in Mexico 1970. Was then with diesel engine and wooden wheels but original engine with car. Restored in England 1970-1976 to original spec. Best vintage Bentley at Kensington Gardens in 1976. Not listed in BDC 2006."

"These photographs were taken at Rolls-Royce Owner's Club Regional Meet at Salado, Texas, in May 1982. Car was owned at that time by Don E. Weber in San Antonio, Texas."

"Car was restored to original specifications in England during 1970-1976. It took "Best Vintage Bentley" at Kensington Gardens in 1976."

"This was the only 8-Litre bodied by Murphy of Pasadena, California. It was bought by Don Weber in Mexico in 1970. At that time he had a diesel engine and wooden wheels, but the original engine."