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Found on Bonhams website on March 8, 2017
Lot 121
AMENDED
THE AMELIA ISLAND AUCTION
9 Mar 2017, 13:00 EST
1927 Bentley 4.5 Liter Tourer
Coachwork by Vandan Plas.
Chassis no. ST3015
Engine no. ST3015 (See Text)
4,398cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine - 4 Overhead Valves Per Cylinder
110bhp at 3,500rpm
4-Speed Gearbox.
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
Four-Wheel Drum Brakes with Servo Assist.
*Original, Rare, Open Tourer Coachwork by Vanden Plas
*Exceptionally well documented history, with recent Clare Hay Report available for inspection
*Rare Auster Screen
*Fantastic car for international motoring events
*One of the most Iconic Prewar Motorcars
THE BENTELY 4½-LITER
W.O. Bentley proudly debuted the new 3-liter car bearing his name on Stand 126 at the 1919 London Olympia Motor Exhibition. The prototype engine had only been fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. In only mildly developed form, this was the model that was to become a legend in motor racing history and which, with its leather-strapped bonnet, classical radiator design and British Racing Green livery has become the archetypal vintage sports car.
Early success in the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, when Bentleys finished second, fourth and fifth to take the Team Prize, led to the introduction of the TT Replica (later known as the Speed Model). However, by the middle of the decade the 3-Liter's competitiveness was on the wane and this, together with the fact that too many customers had been tempted to fit unsuitably heavy coachwork to the excellent 3-Liter chassis rather than accept the expense of Bentley's 6½-Liter 'Silent Six', led to the introduction of the '4½'.
The new 4½-Liter model effectively employed the chassis, transmission, brakes, and base engine of the 3-Liter, but with an increased 100x140mm bore and stroke. The 4 valves per cylinder, 5 main bearing crankshaft, and dual ignition of the 3-Liter were retained. The new model also retained that "bloody thump", as noted Bentley owner Walter Foden referred to it, a characteristic that enables one to clearly identify a 4 cylinder Bentley from many miles away. Bentley Motors wasted no time in proving the new car in competition, entering the car in the 1927 Le Mans. The original 4½-Liter car, nicknamed by the team 'Old Mother Gun' and driven by Frank Clement and Leslie Callingham, promptly set the fastest race lap of 73.41mph before being eliminated in the infamous 'White House Crash' pile-up. A 4½ subsequently won the 1928 event.
The 4½-Liter was produced for four years with all but nine of the 665 cars made being built on the 'Long Standard', 130"-wheelbase chassis. Purchasers of the 4½-Liter model were, in common with those of all vintage-period Bentleys, free to specify their preferences from a very considerable range of mechanical and electrical equipment, in addition to whatever body style and coach-builder might be required. The most iconic of course were the cars fitted with tourer bodies by Vanden Plas.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This particular car was the 15th 4½-Liter Bentley built. It was dispatched from the Cricklewood works to Vanden Plas Coachbuilders, and fitted with VDP body number 1428, a 3-Door 4-seater Sports Tourer, which it retains. The body numbers stamped into the original floorboards confirms this as does the chassis number stamped inside the hood side panels. According to Vanden Plas records the car was originally finished Thornly and Knight No.6 Grey, with the wings and chassis in black cellulose, and upholstered in brown antique leather. The wings and running boards were custom ordered to extend all the way to the body, an unusual and extraordinarily useful feature that helps to keep the passengers dry. Of interest are windscreen surround and door locks, which were originally finished in black nickel. The car was also fitted with the rear auster screen that it still retains and wheel discs. These are all extremely rare fittings on a VDP tourer making this example an extremely handsome and very high specification car.
The first owner was Ernst Waring Spencer of Rotherham, England. According to the original buff logbooks Mr. Spencer retained the car until 1934. His ownership is also very well documented in the factory service records. The car then passed to noted Bentley dealer H.M. Bentley and Partners, a firm run by W.O. Bentley's brother. From it went to a Captain John MacGillivray in Ross-shire, Scotland. While in the Captain's ownership the factory service record continues, showing numerous parts being dispatched to the owner.
In 1938 the car was registered to Lt. Col. William Douglas Bruce-Watt of Wardlaw, Kirkhill and the licensing records show it was laid up during the war years. By 1946 it was owned by a Bentley Drivers Club member Mr. J.A. Stodent and in 1954 the original engine was removed. Due to the wide availability of parts from scrapped and wrecked Bentleys during this period, another engine numbered MR3392 was fitted. It is known, however, that the original engine numbered ST3015 is extant and is currently installed in another car. Also during this period, the original back axle was replaced with a much stronger 6½-Liter unit numbered WK2654, but the car retains its original numbered axle carrier. The front axle was also likely replaced during this period with the later spec 4½-Liter unit that affords the later, more powerful and desirable "self-wrapping" brakes.
In 1960 the car passed to a noted Bentley enthusiast Geoffrey Rowland Sandwith of Bracknell, Berkshire and would remain in the Sandwith family until 1997, the last Sandwith owner being noted BDC member Trish Llewellyn (Sandwith's daughter). During the Sandwith family's ownership, the car was a familiar sight at many BDC events and other motoring venues. In 1964 it was driven from Lands End to John o'Groats in a day! Mrs. Llewellyn decided to subject the car to a further engine rebuild at 46,847 miles. This rebuild incorporated a new crankcase, crank, rods, pistons, valves, and Phoenix roller rockers. It also included new thin wall bearings and an uprated oil pump. During this rebuild the original block, cam chest, and sump were retained. The Llewellyns, being extremely active in the BDC and David being the prior president, fitted the car with touring boxes under the original running boards. They then used the car on an extensive basis for continental touring.
In 1997 the car was sold to a noted collector Roy Southward in New Zealand, who retained the car
until 2011, when he sold it to Peter Dunkerley. The consignor acquired it last year and recently imported the car to the US. Upon its arrival it was inspected and serviced by noted Bentley expert Dr. John Porter. During this service, the clutch was totally reconditioned, the plate clutch relined, new clutch springs fitted and the clutch plate machined. Additional work included a full engine tune, brake inspection, chassis and suspension lubrication, and new tires.
Having been owned and enjoyed by prestigious members of the Bentley Drivers Club for most of its life, the car today is finished very attractively in green with black leather interior that has a lovely patinated feel. Of interest is that the sump and the cam cover still carry the original fettle finishing marks that were applied at the factory. On a recent test drive the car performed beautifully. Most cars of this age have obvious evidence of slackness and wear in their handling and creaking and rattles in the coachwork. This car has none of this and feels tight and performs as a comfortably as an old Oxford shoe. 130½" vintage Bentley's chassis are noted for their balance and this one handles gorgeously. The engine is responsive with a lovely exhaust note and uprated servo assisted brakes stop the car with great confidence.
This a superb, example of a 4½-Liter Vanden Plas Tourer Bentley, with rare specification and continuous history. It is welcome on most any Concours Lawn and eligible for multiple motoring events worldwide. It will no doubt continue as a wonderful usable motorcar into it second century and beyond. |
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