Found on RM Sotheby's website

Sold For £420,000

RM Sotheby's - London 7 September 2015
Inclusive of applicable buyer's fee.

1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer by Cadogan
Chassis No. DS3570
Engine No. DS3568
Gearbox No. 6681

~ Well-documented history
~ H.M. Bentley-restyled original Cadogan fabric bodywork
~ The long-time beloved property of Bentley Drivers’ Club members
~ Accompanied by a detailed report by Bentley expert Dr Clare Hay
~ Ready for extended touring

100 bhp, 4,398 cc SOHC inline four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, semi-elliptical leaf-spring suspension, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 3,300 mm

Chassis No. DS3570
Chassis number DS3570 was sent to coachbuilders Cadogan Motors (1928) Ltd. on 22 July 1929, and it is believed to have been used as a demonstrator by prominent London dealer Gaffikin Wilkinson prior to being sold to its original owner, D.C. Cowans Fairweather of Angus, Scotland, and registered in Aberdeen as SR 7702 in July 1930. It is believed to have next passed in 1932 to G. Ellis, of London, in whose ownership the car was involved in an accident that necessitated the replacement of the chassis frame and front axle. Remarkably, at this time a new old stock frame and axle were available, and these were installed onto the car; this is reinforced by the current frame carrying the original number of DS3570, which appears to be a factory Service Department installation, whereas the replacement axle is not numbered.

The car next made its way into the ownership of J. Armstrong, of London, in 1935 or 1936, and in 1938, it underwent modernisation whilst in the care of dealer H.M. Bentley (its builder’s brother). As was typical of the era, the Cadogan coachwork was modified at this time, with the front doors cut down in a racing fashion and the wings, running boards, and valances all modernised. Telecontrol shock absorbers were also fitted at this time, along with an oversized petrol tank.

The next recorded owner of the car was John Harris, a well-known Bentley Drivers’ Club member, who took ownership in 1946, followed by Captain H.A.K. Lay between 1946 and 1948. A succession of owners and active use in BDC meets in England followed, with the most prominent of those owners being K.J.R. Tanner, who acquired the car in 1967 and retained ownership of it for decades. It was eventually sold in 2007 and has since had its body restored by James Pearce & Company, keeping the H.M. Bentley modifications but making additional modifications for reliable long-distance touring.

A detailed report on file by renowned Bentley expert Dr Clare Hay reflects that the car retains the original bonnet, steering column, differential casing, “banjo”, and other components which are stamped with the chassis number and are original to the car. The C-type gearbox is the original unit, numbered 6681, and the engine is the original, as identified by its number on the starter motor housing and magneto housing. Under the bonnet is correctly finished, with only small alterations from stock. The carburettors are believed to be the original units for this car, and the magnetos and exhaust manifold are both correct.

As a deeply attractive 4½-Litre with known, active history for decades in the Bentley Drivers’ Club, this would make a superb rally car and a fine entrant for numerous BDC and other events throughout Europe and North America.

"1929 Bentley 4½ Litre
Year of manufacture - 1929
Mileage - 100 000 km / 62 138 mi
Car type - Convertible / Roadster
Chassis number - DS3570
Engine number - DS3568
Drive - RHD
Condition - Restored
Exterior brand colour - British Racing green
Interior colour - Red
Interior brand colour - Burgundy
Interior type - Leather
Number of doors - 4
Number of seats - 4
Location - UK
Exterior colour - Green
Gearbox - Manual
Drivetrain - 2wd
Fuel type - Petrol

Chassis number DS3570 according to the Bentley Factory records was completed in August of 1929 and the car delivered to its first owner, DBC Fairweather of Angus, Scotland in July of the following year. The Factory five year guarantee running until 16th July 1935. The completed chassis was despatched for coachwork to the respected London coachbuilders Cadogan Motors (1928) Ltd. Located in Bishops Road, Fulham, the company had been gaining a solid reputation for sporty coachwork of an uncompromisingly high standard on several of the distinguished marques of the day.

The Factory service records are complete from delivery until 1938 detailing regular maintenance and on two occasions’ repairs for minor accidents and an engine re-build at 29,000 miles. After the war this delightful car was acquired by Mr. W. Wall. He campaigned it in the 1950 Bentley Drivers Club Silverstone meeting and by 1953 SR 7702 was owned by J. Edmondson. A couple of years later it was acquired by its next owner Roger Tanner who retained it in Yorkshire for the following 50 years!

More recently the vehicle has been the subject of a full restoration taking great care to retain of course the original Cadogan open sports four-seat coachwork.

It is increasingly rare today to find matching numbers Bentleys with continuous history and most importantly original open sporting coachwork the majority of cars having been fitted with replica Le Mans style bodywork."

1929 Bentley 4½ litre Four Seat Tourer
Coachwork by Cadogan Motors (1928) Ltd
Registration no. SR 7702
Chassis no. DS3570
Engine no. DS3568

Factory records confirm that Chassis no. DS 3570 was completed in August 1929 and the car delivered to its first owner, D B C Fairweather of Angus, Scotland, in July 1930, the factory five year guarantee records quoting an expiry date of 16th July 1935. This car and the immediately preceding chassis no. DS 3569 were despatched to Cadogan Motors (1928) Ltd in Bishops Road, Fulham, a company headed by S R Moss-Vernon which was fast gaining a reputation for more sporting coachwork on such distinguished marques as Invicta, OM, Packard and indeed Bentley. Their coachwork was built to uncompromisingly high standards, the costs involved perhaps contributing to their demise in around 1930. The car passed through various ownerships in the 1930's, with two owners being recorded as incurring front end accident damage, and in 1938 the car is recorded as having been rebuilt by H M Bentley.

W Wall acquired the car in 1949, reporting then that DS 3570 had yet another complete overhaul, and he is known to have campaigned this Bentley at the B.D.C. Silverstone Meeting in 1950. The next recorded owner in 1953 was a J Edmondson. The vendor acquired the car in the 1950's from his solicitor in Manchester who had been using the car as everyday transport. During the present ownership the car has seen extensive use making frequent trips to Brittany and Normandy and one memorable trip to Vienna. During fifty years or so of motoring DS 3570 has proved a trusty steed and today, although used only infrequently, it starts readily and runs sweetly.

"I have a lovely original photo of the Bentley Reg SR 7702 I would love to pass on to current owners. I can forward it to you too. Pic looks to be in the fifties"

"I would like to contact the current owners of SR 7702 (4½ litre) and the blower 4½ BGH 55 which started off as DS 240, both of which were owned by my father, Harold Wall (referred to in the blurb on SR 7702 as "Mr W Wall". "W" was his first initial, but he was always known by his second name, Harold.)

I have a number of photos of the car, and have some stories to tell of those Bentleying days of 1949-50 when Dad owned SR 7702 and of 1959-60 when he owned BGH 55 (DS 240).

I was a teenager in the late 40s and accompanied Dad on a number of BDC rallies, and also was with him when he drove at Silverstone."