Goodwood Revival, September 2019

Goodwood Revival, September 2019

Goodwood Revival, 2017

Goodwood Revival, September 2015

Wings and Wheels 2015, Dunsfold

Dunsfold Wings and Wheels, August 2014

"A Bolt on Blower. 1929 Vintage 4.5 litre Bentley. Supercharger added some time in the last 30 years."

Le Mans Classic, July 2014

Grand Prix de Tours, June 2013

Goodwood Breakfast Club, March 2013

Derek Bell and Bentley inspired by 'Mission Motorsport' team at Le Mans Classic
(Crewe & Le Mans, 9 July 2012) Bentley’s brand ambassador and five time Le Mans winner, Derek Bell MBE, returned to the iconic French race circuit last weekend to spearhead a unique motorsport challenge.

Racing a 4 ½ litre Bentley Blower at the Le Mans Classic (in partnership with owner Martin Overington) Bell was supported by a 3-man pit crew from Mission Motorsport - a UK charity that rehabilitates seriously injured military personnel by actively involving them in a wide range of competitive motor racing challenges.

Bell’s support team was led by former Royal Marine Commando Tony Compson, working alongside Gary Dunning and James Gillborn.

All three men have suffered serious, life-changing injuries on active service but that did not stop the Mission Motorsport team from delivering some of the fastest possible pit stops for Bell and Overington or working right through the night to ensure the Bentley Blower was able to race on Saturday.

Derek Bell commented: “It was an honour to have the Mission Motorsport lads as our support crew. They showed a real Le Mans spirit by working tirelessly on the car when we faced some major mechanical challenges and were fast and extremely focussed in the pit lane. It was genuinely hard to believe this was their first Le Mans experience or that these men are still recovering from some terrible injuries.”

Martin Overington added: “It was privilege to work with Tony, Gary and James. They were a huge asset throughout our campaign at Le Mans and Derek and I always felt we were in safe hands with the best possible chance of being competitive.”

Whilst there was disappointment that the Bentley Blower was unable to compete on Sunday, Bell and Overington secured a highly credible 15th out of 69 entries in the Saturday race with the Mission Motorsport team achieving a 92-second pit stop.

Major James Cameron, Director of Mission Motorsport said: “The challenge of going racing, being competitive and working in a team environment again is playing a key part in restoring the confidence and physical fitness of large numbers of service personnel who are currently on the long road to recovery. It really does not get much better than racing a Bentley at Le Mans with Derek Bell and we hope the story will inspire other people to support us.”

Bentley Motors, Derek Bell and Mission Motorsport would like to thank Martin Overington for his kind support during the Le Mans Classic race. The team was sponsored by Crewe Genuine Parts, suppliers of replacement parts for all Bentley and Rolls-Royce models built in Crewe, England from 1955 to the present day.

Brooklands Double-Twelve, June 2012

Benjafields 20th at Hampton Court, May 2010

GP 8242 at Brooklands Double Twelve, 2010

Spa 6-hours, September 2009

New Year 2009 at the Phoenix Inn.

Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême, 2008

Adam Singer is shown driving Chassis No. DS3573 during the 2006 LeMans Classic.

"Recently raced internationally at Le Mans Classic as well as Nurburgring and here at Silverstone, this magnificent machine is a must for the enthusiast who wants the best. Looks and drive are fantastic with performance to blow your socks off.

Rebuilt over some three years to full concourse condition and having a full mechanical rebuild, phoenix crank, rods, etc. One of the best vintage Bentleys we've ever had."

Tower of London 2005

1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Four Seat Tourer. Registration No. GP 8242 Chassis No. DS 3573 Engine No. XL 3101

Engine: four cylinder in line, water-cooled monobloc, single overhead camshaft, bore 100mm, stroke 140mm, capacity 4,398cc. Four speed right hand change gearbox; single plate clutch; spiral bevel Back axle. Semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear. Wheelbase 10ft l0in. Tyres 5.25 X 21in.

With victories at Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 the name of Bentley was firmly stamped in the record books for sports touring car racing in the 1920s. The 3 litre cars had a successful career until 1926 when it was decided that a larger engine should be introduced to cope with increasing competition, particularly from the Stutz and Chrysler camps. The 4 1/2 litre was progressively developed from 1927 onwards and was offered in two wheelbase lengths. Later models had the electron crankcase and this is one of those cars.

Chassis No. DS 3573 was supplied new in August 1929 to Sir L. Lyle and was fitted with H.J. Mulliner saloon coachwork. As with so many of these cars the original coachwork has been removed and a four seat open tourer body now takes its place. The engine was originally fitted in HF 3198, a 1928 car which was raced at Brooklands by C.W.F. Hamilton, possibly the car in which he lapped Brooklands at 107.8 mph in 1930. Mechanical modifications in the interest of performance and safety include hydraulic front brakes with mechanite front brake drums, triple S.U. carburettors, a belt driven water pump and Speed Six connecting rods. The car was rebuilt and commissioned in its present form in 1973 in time for the B.D.C. Scottish Whit weekend rally which it completed with flying colours and its reliability since then reflects the 'no expense spared' mechanical restoration which the car had undergone. A C Type gearbox is fitted and the car drives particularly well.

This eminently usable vintage Bentley is offered with Swansea V5 registration document and MoT valid to November 1989.