1924 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer
Registration no. KU 5200; Chassis no. 840; Engine no. 744

Michael Hay's authoritative work, Bentley, The Vintage Years, records the fact that chassis number '840' was completed in January 1925 as a Speed Model with engine '830' and Vanden Plas four-seat tourer body '1110'. The Bentley was registered 'KU 5200' (a Bradford mark) and first owned by one H Dunnington. An Albany saloon body was fitted prior to the car being rebuilt in 1935, which presumably is when it received the current Vanden Plas body ('1231') from chassis number 'AP304', another Speed Model. Engine number '744' started life in standard chassis '736' while the original ('830') is recorded as in '684'. Fitted with twin SU Sloper carburettors, the engine has never been dismantled during the current ownership and its internal specification is not known.

The Bentley has been in the same family ownership for the last 35 years having been purchased in 1977 by the current vendor's late father from a family friend, an engineer who had spent many years restoring it. In 1998 the car featured in the Channel 4 mini-series 'Mosley', about the eponymous British fascist leader, appearing as his own 3-Litre carrying the registration 'GU 2511'. The current vendor acted as Mosley's chauffeur.

Between 2008 and 2010 further extensive works were carried out to bring the Bentley up to good, useable and reliable condition including replacing the front springs, clutch, radiator, water pump, rear hubs, tyres and battery. In addition, the wheels were completely overhauled and reconditioned, the carburettors overhauled and the magnetos refurbished, etc. Well maintained and used regularly, though covering only a limited mileage in recent years, 'KU 5200' is described by the private vendor as in generally good/very good condition. The car is offered with sundry invoices, old-style continuation logbook, current road fund licence, MoT to December 2012 and Swansea V5 registration document.

Sold for £163,900 inc. premium

"Frank passed away in June this year... Our beloved Bentley has subsequently been sold as I couldn't manage to drive it myself ..."

This car has been purchased by Susan and Frank Hesketh. It was a part of Susan's late father Roy Woollett's estate. It has been bought from the trust.

Necessary repairs are being carried out "so that we can enjoy it fully", writes Susan.

"I have known the car since Roy purchased it in the early 70s and it formed part of his collection of beautiful and usable vintage cars. The VDP tourer body (BG Green) is excellent with all detailing correct. The interior leather is excellent (green). The instruments are all correct and working. The spoked wheels, painted green are good and fitted with (I think they are called "beaded edge") two new tyres and three decent tyres (the spare on the back) The engine although not original, is an original speed model with twin SU Sloper carbs. These need an overhaul and the dynamo needs repair and replacing on to the car. The clutch also needs replacement. The last time it was used was by Sue and myself, three summers ago, and the car drove well, the gearbox tight and producing that lovely distinctive thumping note from the engine/exhaust."

"...the car was used in the Channel 4 film "Mosley" in 1998, as his own car (I was the chauffeur). The condition of the car is the same now." (Stills from the film featuring the car can be seen below.)

The above images are stills from the 1998 Channel 4 film, "Mosley".

Chassis no. 840 played the role of Sir Oswald Mosley's chassis no. RL3432 in the movie. In accordance, the registration number was substituted with 'GU 2511' on the plates (this being the original registration number of Mosley's car).

This car was purchased by Roy Woollett in the early 1970s. Roy Woollett passed away in 1992.