"I recently acquired 3-litre chassis PH1469, and plan to do reconditioning of the car. I would be happy if you could pass on my contact information to William Heber Percy, who shared some photos of the car in May 2019."

Sold for £287,500

Found on Bonhams website on January 9, 2020

Lot 243
21 Nov 2019
Hendon, RAF Museum

Offered from the Bursville Collection
1926 Bentley 3-Litre Red Label Speed Model Tourer
Coachwork by Vanden Plas

Registration no. not UK registered (see text)
Chassis no. PH1469

- Known ownership history
- Laid up in dry storage since 1960
- Offered for re-commissioning/restoration
- EU taxes paid

Leading marque authority Clare Hay's definitive work, 'Bentley – The Vintage Years', records that chassis number 'PH1469' was completed in April 1926 and first owned by J W C McLaren. The car left the factory fitted with engine number 'PH1470' (the same as it has today) and was registered as 'GD 2250'. One of 513 Speed Models built, it was erected on the standard 9' 9½" wheelbase chassis and carried a four-seat tourer body by Vanden Plas.

Next owner Lt Col Sir Thomas Bilbe Robinson acquired the Bentley in 1929. In 1932 the car passed to another military gentleman: Flying Officer John Heber Percy, who was based at RAF Gosport in Hampshire. John Percy was one of the first RAF airmen whose life was saved by a parachute when in 1930 he successfully bailed out of his stricken Armstrong Whitworth Siskin fighter following a mid-air collision. He went on to enjoy an illustrious career in the RAF, culminating in service with the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) in Paris after WW2. John Percy owned four Bentleys between 1932 and the mid-1950s.

Bentley Motors service records (copies on file) show that following an accident in April 1930, 'PH1469' was repaired by the works and fitted with various new front suspension and steering components. The last service entry is dated 1937. The next known custodian, from 1947, was a Major J C Jackson, whose success in the BDC's 1949 Kensington Gardens Rally is commemorated by a plaque on the dashboard. Following Major Jackson's ownership, the car was exported to the USA.

In 1957 the Bentley was purchased in the USA by Parker Snyder of Ohio, who drove the 3-Litre for a couple of summers before consigning it to his newly built garage in 1960. Benefiting from Major Jackson's long-term ownership, the Bentley must have been in excellent condition when stored. The car remained in storage until purchased earlier this year by the current vendor, a long-standing member of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley community with a large collection of pre-war cars. Presented in 'barn find' condition, it represents an exciting opportunity for the dedicated Bentley enthusiast to return one of W O's wonderful creations to the road. Please note that the UK number plate in the photographs will need to be re-applied for.

"You might be interested to know that I am in the process of re-importing this car to the UK from America and it should be here in about a month. It has been in store for many years — I think from the sixties and is in wonderfully unspoilt condition. I hope to send you some photos later."

"Hello Tim, I haven't looked at this page for a while so I was happy to see your message with an update about GD2250. My grandfather died in 1975. Please post current photos of the car here so that others can follow the story." — William Heber Percy, Sep 1, 2019

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"Thank you for the update, Tim. My grandfather died in 1975. Please post any photos you are prepared to share here." — William Heber Percy, Sep 20, 2019

"Hello, I was interested to read about the three litre Bentley in your Newsletter (May 2019) issue that had been owned by Heber Percy as I have recently acquired it. Can you please let me have his address or otherwise put me in touch so that I can let him know and send him some photos."

This car was purchased by Tim O'Rorke in 2019.

"I found your site during family history research, and am very glad I did.

My grandfather, John Heber Percy owned four Bentleys between 1928 and 1945. He was in the RAF and was posted to RAF Leuchars, served on the aircraft carrier, HMS Courageous in the early 30s, was, briefly, a Station Commander at RAF Atcham in Shropshire and RAF Portreath in Cornwall during the War and retired after postings to Egypt, South Africa (mid/late 30s) and Holland (1947.)

My father has some of his photo albums filled with picture of planes, motorbikes and cars. I’d like to share some with the website and add to your marvelous historical record.

John owned this car for a year from May 1932. At the time he was on Courageous but his Flying Log records disembarkations at RAF Novar in Scotland and Gosport.

I’ll send more photos in a follow up message."

John Heber Percy also owned ST3002.