Found on CarSales website on March 24, 2018

1924 Bentley 3 Litre "Red Label" Short Chassis Speed Model
Chassis No. 533 ~ Engine No. 542S ~ Registration No: POD-484
Asking price: GBP$360,000

The 3 Litre "Cricklewood" Bentley is a legendary car that brought Bentley Motors Limited its first Le Mans victory in 1924 and continued this success with a total of five victories over an eight year period. Of the 1622 3 Litres built, 513 were Speed Models. This particular car is an outstandingly original example in that it retains its original matching numbers and is one of the 513 Speed Models built. It rides on a 9 foot 9½ inch wheelbase with engine number 542S. The original coach builder was William Arnold of Manchester and the vehicle retains its original coachwork including matching numbers of the unpainted aluminium bonnet. It is a four seater open tourer. The car was completed on 15th March 1924 and was originally registered FY6937. The first owner lived in Derbyshire England.The car was exported to Australia around 1945. Peter Gargett purchased the vehicle in the early 1960s.The car was restored during the late 1960s in preparation for the 1970 Sydney to Melbourne Rally. Later, in 1985, the motor was rebuilt by The Vintage Garage on the Gold Coast. In 2016 the car received a 8 month long restoration by Simon Elliot of Derby works in Melbourne. It sits on 21 inch wheels.The low geared steering box and water pump were upgraded by Bentley Motors during 1934 to those from a 4½ L Bentley. At the same time a new Hardy Spicer driveshaft was fitted.

The interior is well-restored and thoroughly detailed. The original leather on the seats was replaced with vinyl to withstand the harsh Australian sun. The original dashboard has been replaced with a piece of Queensland Walnut containing the full complement of beautiful instruments, although the tacho is not original it is a beautifully made replica. The vehicle is fitted with a very rare sloping windscreen not seen on other Bentley's. This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire an incredibly original Red Label Short Chassis Speed Model 3 Litre Bentley that retains its original major mechanical components and coachwork. It has had minimal use in the last 50 years, so would be a relatively low kilometre vehicle for its age. The exhaust note is superb.

Details
Carsales Network ID: SSE-AD-4781245
Last Modified: 12/03/2018
Vehicle Tourer: 2dr Man 4sp 3.0 [IMP]
Price: $650,000*
Kilometres: 250,000
Colour: Green
Interior Colour: Black
Transmission: 4 speed Manual
Body: 2 doors 4 seat Convertible
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Engine: 4 cylinder Petrol Aspirated 3.0L
Roadworthy/Safety Certificate: No

Specifications

Engine
Engine Type: Piston
Engine Location: Front
Engine Size (cc): 2996 (cc)
Induction: Aspirated
Engine Configuration: In-line
Cylinders: 4
Camshaft: Pushrod
Valves/Ports per Cylinder: 2

Transmission & Drivetrain
Gears: 4
Gear Type: Manual
Generic Gear Type: Manual
Gear Location: Floor
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive

Fuel
Fuel Type: Petrol
Fuel Delivery: SU Twin (Carburettor Multiple)
Method of Delivery: Mechanical

Dimensions & Weights
Wheelbase: 2985 (mm)

Other
Country of Origin: UNITED KINGDOM
Country of Import: UNITED KINGDOM
Launch Year: 1923
Series: (No Series)
Badge: (No Badge)
Doors: 2
Seat Capacity: 4
Body Style: Tourer (Convertible)

This car is for sale as of March 24, 2018

"I purchased Bentley 3 litre speed model chassis 533 from the estate of Peter Gargett in November 2015. The car resides in Geelong Australia."

This car was purchased by Dean Montgomery in November 2015.

1924 Bentley 3 Litre "Red Label" Short Chassis Speed Model
Chassis number 533, Engine no. 542S

Type of Body - Open Tourer
Coachbuilder - William Arnold of Manchester
Location - Australia - Brisbane
Year - 1924
Chassis - 533
Engine Number - 542S
Rego - originally FY 6937, now on Qld Vintage rego 1370
3L Red Label, short chassis, speed model
Price On Application

Hawthorne Green body, black guards and running boards with Aluminium bonnet.

This particular car is an outstandingly original example in that it retains its original matching numbers and is one of the 513 Speed Models built. It rides on a 9 foot 9 ½ inch wheelbase with engine number 542S. The coachbuilder was William Arnold of Manchester and the vehicle retains its original coach work including matching numbers of the unpainted aluminium bonnet. It is a four seater Open Tourer. The car was completed on 15th March 1924 and was originally registered FY 6937. The first owner lived in Derbyshire England. There are service records until 1935 along with fairly comprehensive notes after that. The car was exported to Australia during the 1930's. The current owner purchased the vehicle in the early 1960's.

The car was restored during the late 1960's in preparation for the 1970 Sydney to Melbourne Rally. Later, in 1985, the motor was rebuilt by The Vintage Garage on the Gold Coast. The whole car is in exceptional condition for its age given that it has never been restored to a "concourse" condition, which in any event is well above factory issue. It sits on 21 inch wheels, retains its original A-type 6 bolt close ratio gearbox, twin magnetos and twin brass SU carburetors. The low geared steering box and water pump were upgraded during 1934 to those from a 4½ L Bentley. At the same time a new Hardy Spicer driveshaft was fitted.

The interior is well-restored and thoroughly detailed. The original leather on the seats was replaced with vinyl to withstand the harsh Australian sun. The original dashboard has been replaced with a piece of Queensland Walnut containing the full complement of beautiful instruments, although the tacho is not original. The vehicle is fitted with a sloping windscreen – we have not seen another sloping windscreen fitted to a 3L W.O. Bentley. The controls are authentic throughout, including the switch panel - which bears the vehicles chassis number, the steering wheel controls and the centre throttle.

The Autovac fuel pump has been replaced with a modern electric positive earth fuel pump. The separate crank handle for manual starting is with the vehicle. The car starts and runs well. The brakes are effective. The gearbox works as it should and the clutch brake function works properly. In order to make this vehicle reliable for long distance touring the tyres should be replaced, we have chosen not to do this as the new owner can choose the tyres to suit their driving requirements and standards within their country.

This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire an incredibly original Red Label Short Chassis Speed Model 3 Litre Bentley that retains its original major mechanical components and coachwork. It has had minimal use in the last 50 years, so would be a relatively low kilometre vehicle for its age. The exhaust note is superb.

I have owned Bentley 533 since the early 1960s and I am at the stage where I have decided to sell it. I was a member of The Bentley Drivers Club for many years.

The car is a 1924 Speed Model which is highly original. I believe the motor was replaced by Bentley Motors in 1935 and the car was restored from bare chassis up for the 1970 rally from Sydney to Melbourne.

It was fully registered for many years and is currently on a concessional registration.

It is not in "concours" condition but is very presentable and a very usable car.

It has its original body by William Arnold of Manchester.

BENTLEY 3 litre, Speed Model, chassis number 533

The following is a summary of what has been done to the above car since I purchased it from Malcolm MacDonald in the early 1960s.

The work has been done at various times and the order of listing does not necessarily represent the order in which the work was done.

The car was in good condition and driven by me with my wife Chris as navigator in the 1970 Rally from Sydney to Melbourne. It was driven to the rally and back home to Brisbane on completion. This was performed with little trouble except for the vacuum tank not operating satisfactorily on the way home although it was OK all the way to Melbourne.

The only reason we can assume was that it may have been caused by the fact that we had to fully drain the petrol from the car while they were on show in the Melbourne Exhibition Hall for a period after the rally. I have subsequently converted the fuel supply to an electric SU pump.

The car is not in "concours condition" but is original except as detailed below and a very useable and highly desirable car. Most of the work needed would be cosmetic.

For many years it was fully registered and it currently is on concessional registration in Queensland.

Chassis 533
The car has been completely dismantled and the chassis was dipped in a bath of mephalene (I think that was the solution), for cleaning and rust protection. The chassis was then repainted.

Engine. 542 S
The "S" apparently indicates that the motor was replaced. There was work done on it in 1935 by Bentley Motors so I would assume that they did this work. I believe the twin brass bodied SU carburetors would also have been fitted at that time.

I have replaced the vacuum tank with an SU electronic fuel pump.

The engine was completely rebuilt by Neville Webb with new pistons and rings from Hoffman & Burton. As at that time I also owned engine number 322 we used that block as it was in better condition. It needs repainting.

Magnetos were professionally rebuilt.

The camshaft was reground, new valves, valve guides and tappet followers were fitted (not the roller variety).

Water return pipe from engine to pump renewed in chrome plated copper and brass.

The water jacket plates are polished brass - they are due to be removed and the block flushed out. At that time I suggest that the inlet manifold studs holding the spark plug leads be replaced - they are currently in 2 pieces, joined by a nut. They were made too short when a friend of mine was helping me replace them.

We believe that a 41/2 litre water pump was fitted by Bentley Motors in 1935 - this was renewed during my ownership. I recently broke the end plate I attempting to remove it - this was renewed by welding a new flange to the centre section and it is difficult to see any difference.

2BA water jacket plate fixings were fitted with SS Helicoil inserts and brass screws.

Cross shaft gears were in good order, think they were renewed by the previous owner.

The sliding coupling on the vertical shaft is retained from lifting by a bronze spacer as the fixing bolt on top of the lower shaft had obviously broken some time ago. For years it was apparently held in place by being gummed up and it was only after I had cleaned the motor (some time before it was rebuilt) that it slipped up and spun and upset the valve timing. It has never given me any trouble since fitting the spacer.

Clutch
The clutch has been relined fairly recently and the car would not have done a high mileage since then. To assist in the adjustment there is a marine ply packer and this has proved quite satisfactory. It is simply a spacer and does not take any load.

Gearbox (373)
This is an "A" type and has never given any trouble - I do not recall for certain whether the bearings were replaced but I think they would have been.

Front axle (check number) 194
Some amendments were made to the sliding joints for the front brakes. From memory, the original sliding joints were welded and amendments made to the bushings on the chassis to allow for the necessary movement. Again, this has been satisfactory.

Rear axle & differential (cone 533)
The crown wheel and pinion were replaced not long after I bought the car as the pinion was missing half a tooth.

The numbers here are strange - the cone is stamped 533, matching the chassis number, but the flange is stamped 588 on the circumference. The flange of the rear cover is also stamped 588 on the circumference.

Brakes
Brakes have all been satisfactory. I replaced the original brake rods with stainless steel. I do not recall whether the linings were renewed but would expect they were done.

Steering
This has never given any trouble. The cover on the column is in good condition.

Radiator
The radiator has been chromed - may have been at time of work by Bentley Motors but that is my assumption only - the radiator people passed it for leaks but it could do with restoration.

Bonnet (533)
The bonnet is polished aluminium and both panels are stamped 533.

Camshaft housing
Sound and stamped with the number 452.

Instruments
Except for the tachometer, these are original including the switch plate numbered 533.

The bezel switch/amp meter has been restored professionally and although at the moment this has slipped resulting in wrong connections, this will be fixed before sale.

Springs, shackles, shackle pins and bushes
There is obviously some wear apparent in the springs but they are sound and protected by Wefco Gaiters. Shackles were rebuilt where necessary and reamed to suit new shackle pins. Bushes were also renewed.

Petrol tank
I have no reason to suspect this is not original. The plated cap and the reserve tap are in good condition.

Body
It still has its original body by William Arnold of Manchester and is one of the few, if only 3 litre Bentley I have seen with a sloping windscreen.

I made a new dashboard from solid walnut - salvaged from a veneer factory as what remained after they cut the veneer but could not go deeper because of the clamps holding the log in position. I also rebuilt the running boards.

The whole car was repainted for the 1970 rally and is still quite presentable. There is a crack in the aluminium body below the rear off side door. It has been welded but has broken again.

Windscreen framing was replated but has some defects in the joins. The rubber inserts need replacing. The glass was replaced by laminated glass. One of the hinged panels, near side, has a crack.

An earlier owner thought the mudguards might have been replaced when Bentley Motors worked on the car in 1935.

He also thought the front bench seat was installed in place of the original bucket seats at the same time

All upholstery and hood were renewed for the 1970 rally.

Electrical
I have replaced all wiring as recommended in The Technical Facts 1965 (with terminals 6B and 5C interchanged)

I have added Lucas driving lights for high beam - headlights are original with side lights incorporated in them.

I have installed a relay on the chassis adjacent to the starter motor with a button on the dashboard. I have a maser switch on the battery box.

I installed an electric cooling fan with a switch on the dashboard.

Starter and generator have given no trouble.

Some more information here.

Peter Gargett writes from Brisbane in August 2006:

"In a couple of the 2004 issues of our magazine there was an article on "Arnold of Manchester" the coachbuilders. I have a 1924 3 Litre Bentley with coachwork by this firm, as well as 1925 20hp, GLK66, Smith & Waddington Coupe and 1920 Silver Ghost, 75AE, Surrey Motors Tourer. The Bentley is a red label speed model, chassis number 533 and engine number 542. I believe it is one of the few Bentleys with a sloping windscreen. The motor was worked on in the 1930s by Bentley Motors when it had twin carburettors fitted. I have had it since the early 1960s and Chris and I drove it in the 1970 Sydney to Melbourne rally."