Read article - 2019: The year ahead of the Bentley centenary

Found on STANLEY MANN RACING website on Feb 23, 2016

"1929 VINTAGE BENTLEY 4½ LTR LE MANS
Registration Number: YV 9265 Chassis Number: PL3497 Engine Number: FT3223
Price: POA

YV 9265 A well known vintage Bentley to all of us here at The Fruit Farm and for all the right reasons. There has always been the touch of glamour about this lady. Bought new in 1928 and specified with a Freestone & Webb saloon body, by 1933 she resided in the custody of New Scotland Yard. The Flying Squad not only having Bentleys but also Invictas at that time. She obviously had lots of appeal as she was then purchased by Brooklands racer, aviator and sportsman Michael ("Mav") Mavrogodato who later sold her to the racing yachtsman Tiger Coltart.

Now having been used thus there is an irony in the fact that on the way home from a genteel afternoon at the Bentley Driver’s Club concourse meeting *at Kensington Gardens in 1955 she was involved in a collision with another car. The accident necessitating replacement of the chassis frame and steering box*. She still carries those numbered parts today and has the benefit of that original heavier gauge chassis along with her original engine. For forty years she was a familiar site in Hampshire, not only for her looks but also, for a while, for her passenger, McCoy a large grey dog wearing racing hat and goggles.

We were commissioned to restore this car some 8 years ago, with instructions to make her suitable for driving long distances in comfort, and to provide real Bentley enjoyment. Needless to say she has just done that with distinction. A well sorted Bentley is a tremendous motoring experience.

A really great touring vintage Bentley with continuous history suitable for any event across the world with Phoenix crank and rods, the D type gearbox with overdrive, long range Le Mans tank and with tremendous lasting appeal."

This car is for sale as of February 23, 2016.

Found on STANLEY MANN RACING website on Nov 7, 2015

"1929 BENTLEY 4½ LTR LE MANS
Registration Number: YV 9265    Chassis Number: PL3497    Engine Number: FT3223
Price: POA

Bought new in 1928 and specified with a Freestone & Webb saloon body, by 1933 she resided in the custody of New Scotland Yard. The Flying Squad not only having Bentleys but also Invictas at that time. She obviously had lots of appeal as she was then purchased by Brooklands racer, aviator and sportsman Michael ("Mav") Mavrogodato who later sold her to the racing yachtsman Tiger Coltart.

Now having been used thus there is an irony in the fact that on the way home from a genteel afternoon at the Bentley Driver’s Club concourse meeting at Kensington Gardens in 1955 she was involved in a collision with another car. The accident necessitating replacement of the chassis frame (*See green text above) and steering box. She still carries those numbered parts today and has the benefit of that original heavier gauge chassis along with her original engine. For forty years she was a familiar site in Hampshire, not only for her looks but also, for a while, for her passenger, McCoy a large grey dog wearing racing hat and goggles.

We were commissioned to restore this car some 8 years ago, with instructions to make her suitable for driving long distances in comfort, and to provide real Bentley enjoyment. Needless to say she has just done that with distinction. A well sorted Bentley is a tremendous motoring experience.

A really great touring vintage Bentley with continuous history suitable for any event across the world with Phoenix crank and rods, the D type gearbox with overdrive, long range Le Mans tank and with tremendous lasting appeal."

In 1955 on her way back from a Bentley Drivers Club concourse in Kensington Gardens she was involved in an incident with another motor car and this meant a refit to get her back on the road.

The refit meant that the chassis and steering box were replaced (*See green text above) and she still wears them today. These parts are of the 1929 pattern. This frame is the more desirable heavy later type. So, does this means this is ‘matching numbers’ whatever that is?

Fully rebuilt engine to race spec, Phoenix crank etc. Body to full Le Mans spec, retrimed in best quality hides. Full race instrument dash, fresh paint and fitted with overdrive for those long distance rallies.

Found on STANLEY MANN RACING website on Sep 10, 2009

Registration Number: YV 9265; Chassis Number: PL 3497; Engine Number: FT 3223; Price: POA

Stanley Mann says, "This is a recently fully rebuilt Bentley with some super history... Well, I would say that because that’s what we do. Tell me a dealer who doesn’t but this one is so real it hurts.... In 1955 on her way back from a Bentley Drivers Club concourse in Kensington Gardens she was involved in an incident with another motor car and this meant a refit to get her back on the road... The refit meant that the chassis and steering box were replaced (*See green text above) and she still wears them today... So does this mean this is ‘matching numbers’, whatever that is?"

Mann further adds, "Fully rebuilt engine to race spec, Phoenix crank, etc... Body to full Le Mans spec, retrimed in best quality hides. Full race instrument dash, fresh paint... All perfect."

California, 2007.

Found on STANLEY MANN RACING website on Dec 9, 2006

Registration No. YV 9265, Chassis No. PL 3497, Engine No. FT 3223

It's not the usual Le Mans style Bentley but a rather super Brooklands style period type.

Let the pics do the talking but some background to this exciting find needs a few words. Back in 1955 when coming home from a Bentley Drivers Club Concours at Kensington Gardens she had an accident which required a replacement frame. (*See green text above)

Today you would repair but in those days and just as the factory would do another frame would be built into this Bentley.

Probably a cheap way around a difficult problem and when you consider you could get a spare vintage Bentley for £100 in 1955 well there you go.

I'm sorry if this offends those with anal retention but this car in my book is as real as they come so forget your matching underpants this is very proper.

There is all the evidence of the replacement parts and obviously the best bits were put into this Bentley including the use of the steering box etc.

A little while ago she was completely rebuilt to full Brooklands style with the famous outside exhaust and the big fishtail.

Not just a looker but full rebuild mechanics with phoenix crank and rods wow!

If you think this is the Bentley you would like and don't mind standing out from the crowd then here she is.

UK registered and Dutch registered with FIVA papers so you're all set for those fun rallies.

For Sale advertisement, 1976

Bentley 4½-litre (PL3497) 1929
Wylder of Kew open tourer, single door. Majestic hood. Bosch lamps, C-type box; radiator as new. Double tonneau. Only 200 miles since all components rebuilt. Special windshield wings. S35.000. Charles Tunstall, 1700 £. Ocean Blvd. No. 37, Long Beach, Calif. 90802. (213) 436-8204.

The car was owned by William Nicholson - Ringwood, Hampshire in 1963.

Mr. Nicholson liked to take his dog motoring in the Bentley — seen here speeding down a country lane. See photos of Mrs. Nicholson 'dressing up' the dog in a hat and googles just before a drive (so he didn't get cold ears and runny eyes).

Watch video here.

Information found on Stanley Mann Racing website on Sep 10, 2009:

Stanley Mann says, "In 1955 on her way back from a Bentley Drivers Club concourse in Kensington Gardens she was involved in an incident with another motor car and this meant a refit to get her back on the road... The refit meant that the chassis and steering box were replaced (*See green text above) and she still wears them today... So does this mean this is ‘matching numbers’, whatever that is?"

Chassis no: PL3497
Coachbuilder: Cadogan

More Info: In Dec. 2006 Stanley Mann confirmed that Chassis No. PL 3497 is now with Engine No. FT3223 and Reg. No. is YV 9265.

Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: "Engine PL 3496 in chassis XL 3105. Chassis PL 3497 built into ch. FT3220?"