Found on Bonhams website on January 25, 2019
Lot: 232
7 Feb 2019
Les Grandes Marques Du Monde Au Grand Palais
Paris, The Grand Palais
One of only 15 built
1926 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Weymann Drophead Coupé
Chassis no. TN1568
€ 400,000 - 500,000
£ 360,000 - 450,000
~ The only Speed Weymann drophead coupé built
~ Matching chassis and engine
~ Known ownership history from new
~ Professionally using the leading marque specialists
~ Registered in the UK with its original number
FOOTNOTES
Delivered in 1927, this 3-Litre is one of only 15 built by Bentley Motors to 'Speed Weymann' specification. From the records, 14 out of the cars produced were built as saloons and this example, chassis number 'TN1568', is believed to be the only Speed Weymann Coupé ever built.
The following description draws heavily on the typically thorough illustrated report on 'TN1568' compiled in March 2017 by renowned marque authority, Dr Clare Hay (perusal recommended). Bonhams would like to extend its thanks to Dr Hay for her assistance.
As the 1920s progressed, the demand for sporting cars diminished and customers increasingly ordered closed cars. Bentley Motors responded to this trend by adapting their very successful Speed Model to accommodate Weymann coachwork. Using the 9' 9½" late-pattern 3/16"-gauge chassis frame, featuring dropped engine bearers for rubber block suspension at the rear of the Speed Model engine, the company further included a double silencer exhaust system and a lower-ratio rear axle to suite the closed coachwork.
The Weymann type of body construction took its name from its inventor - Charles Terres Weymann - a Frenchman whose background in aviation led to him using a lightweight wooden framework for motor bodies, which was held together by steel plates and covered with fabric. The principal advantage of the Weymann system was its inherent flexibility, which meant that it was free of the squeaks, creaks, and rattles that hitherto had affected all traditional coachbuilt bodies. It was an immediate success; as well as making bodies at its factories in France and (later) England, Weymann licensed production to numerous independent coachbuilders.
The coachbuilder of choice for 'TN1568' was none other than Freestone & Webb, Bentley's North London neighbours. One of the finest of British coachbuilders, Freestone & Webb had been associated with quality marques from its earliest days, particularly Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz and, of course, Bentley. The drophead coupé coachwork was designed to be a closed body that could be opened rather than an open body that could be closed. While this design can accommodate four, the short wheelbase gives the car an elegant line, which makes it stand out as something a little different.
'TN1568' was sold new via Garner, the Bentley agent in Birmingham. The registration allocated was 'OP 4536', a Birmingham number. The first recorded owner is W Carr of Myton, Warwick, who appears to have kept the Bentley until 1938 when it was offered for sale by Brooklands Motors Ltd of Bond Street, London. The asking price was £95, as per Brooklands Motors' advertisement in The Autocar of 22nd November 1938, reproduced in the Hay Report. Invoices on file show that it was bought for the full price by Peter Littlewood Hainsworth of Farsley, near Leeds, on 1st December 1938. Central Garage Ltd of Bradford were the main Bentley agents for Yorkshire from 1926/27 onwards, and invoices on file show that they worked on 'TN1568' for Mr Hainsworth in December 1946 when the Bentley was probably being re-commissioned after the war.
According to correspondence on file, Mr Hainsworth sold his Bentley to his father-in-law, William Bateson, who kept 'TN1568' for a short period before selling it on. Later owners are listed in the BDC records as W B Gibb in 1948, P Barker-Mill in 1952, B W Harrison in 1955, and Warren E Lovesey in 1964. Mr Lovesey restored the Bentley and showed it at Blenheim in 1965.
There is then a gap in the records until 1983, when the Bentley was registered by Charles Russett. By this date the DVLA had computerised their registration system, so the V5 forms erroneously show Mr Russett as the first owner. Given that computerisation started in the late 1970s, it is likely that 'TN1568' was off the road by the early 1970s at the latest, and quite possibly from 1966. Either way, there can be no doubt about the continuity of this Bentley's history.
Shortly afterwards, 'TN1568' was sold to Colin Pettitt, manager of the Stratford Motor Museum, who had the Bentley restored by James E Pearce, as seen in the Hay Report photographs taken at the BDC Kensington Gardens concours in 1988. The car was then sold through Stanley Mann to Dr Peter David Wilson, the owner from 1989 through to 1997. In 1998 the Bentley was owned briefly by Owen Corrigan, and was bought by John MacRae at Brooks' Olympia auction in December 1998 (Lot 760). Mr MacRae sold the car to Robert Ian Harley in 2004, who in turn sold it to Andrew Maurice Gibbs in 2005.
'TN1568' has been serviced and inspected by renowned marque specialists William Medcalf Ltd and during their subsequent ownership was developed and proven to be most reliable, so much so that it competed at a Goodwood Sprint in 2017. That same year the Bentley was invited to participate at The City of London Concours held at The Honourable Artillery Company's Headquarters in City Road.
'TN1568' has recently been completely restored, benefiting from marque specialist involvement in key areas as noted in the extensive history file. Invoices contained within the file show that it has benefited from approximately £150,000 of expenditure with marque specialists including Elmdown Engineering (approximately £40,000), James E Pearce (approximately £15,000), and Vintage Bentley Engineering (approximately £26,000). A unique car from a limited series, 'TN1568' represents a wonderful opportunity for the discerning collector.
This car
is for sale as of January 25, 2019 |
