Bentley Centenary race to take place at Silverstone Classic 2019.

Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort, September 2017

"Picture of the car racing at Silverstone in 2017"

AMCO 80th Anniversary Celebration, September 2015

VSCC "Spring Start" at Silverstone - Saturday 18th April 2015

Bentley Drivers Club at Silverstone - Saturday 2nd August 2014

Hero Rally - The 1000 Mile Trial, July 17, 2014

Donington Park, June 2014

Same family ownership since 1945
1928 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer
Registration no. KW 4429
Chassis no. ML1524
Engine no. HT1626

Estimate: £120,000 - 140,000

This matching-numbers Speed Model has been in the same family ownership since 1945. Michael Hay's authoritative work, Bentley, The Vintage Years, records the fact that 'ML1524' was completed on the short standard chassis with engine number 'HT1626' and saloon coachwork by Gurney Nutting, and that the car was registered 'KW 4429'. Factory records provided by the Bentley Drivers' Club list several owners up to 1939, when 'KW 4429' was owned in London by a Mr N C H Barrett of Portsoken House, EC3.

There is then a gap until the war's end in 1945 when the vehicle was acquired from engineer Alfred Radford by a Northumberland farmer, Mr Henry Gibb. At that time the car was already fitted with the unidentified four-seater tourer body that it carries to this day; also the cycle-type front wings, said to have been fashioned by Mr Radford from an original Bentley bonnet.

Henry Gibb proceeded to use the Bentley for duties around the farm including harrowing his fields! The robust tow-bar is still in place. On the day petrol rationing was lifted he went on an excursion with his bride-to-be and subsequently, in November 1947, used 'KW 4429' as his honeymoon transport.

Henry Gibb joined the BDC in 1948 and for the next 40 years regularly attended Scottish and NE Region events. His young daughter, Helen, became fascinated by the Bentley and can be seen in archive photographs taken at Club meetings. Henry always impressed upon her the utmost importance of keeping the mechanical elements in good condition and she was soon able to routinely maintain the Bentley. She was also able, with a little practice, to achieve perfect clutch-less gear changes, a skill she is very proud of and retains to this day.

In the 1980s, with Henry's eyesight failing, Helen took up chauffeuring duties under his expert instruction. Later, in 1992, with the passing of her parents, Helen became the owner of 'KW 4429'. In 1995, having moved to London where there was no opportunity for storage, Helen decided to base the Bentley in Scotland with a well known BDC member whose father is a respected engineer, maintaining a number of cars 'across the border'. In return for his free maintenance, the son had access to the car whenever Helen did not require it.

As well as general maintenance, a number of key mechanical elements have been renewed recently including the cross-shaft gears (three years ago) and the valves and guides (last year). Earlier this year the engine received a new Phoenix crankshaft and connecting rods, crankcase O-ring modification - with all machining undertaken by marque experts – new clutch thrust bearing, high-speed oil pump, new Cardan shaft fabric coupling, and new tyres. This car also benefits from a C-Type gearbox and a Feeny & Johnson brake servo.

It should be noted that the nature of the maintenance arrangements precluded the issuing of any paperwork, though there is a photographic record of the crankshaft installation on file. Accompanying documentation includes the aforementioned chassis records, assorted period photographs, a few expired MoT certificates, Swansea V5C registration document, current road fund licence and MoT to May 2012.

This matching-numbers Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model is certain to appeal to the growing band of enthusiasts who prefer an 'oily rag' vehicle, or perhaps to someone content with a limited amount of cosmetic improvement that would not destroy its patina, safe in the knowledge they would not have to bear the cost of major mechanical work.

Photographs of 3 litre Bentley Chassis No ML1524, Reg no KW 4429

"I have been using this car (on loan) regularly for 15 years. The current owner of the car — same family since 1941 — is sadly having to sell it at the end of June at auction at Goodwood Festival of Speed... The engine has just had new Pheonix crankshaft and con rods fitted."