1922 Bentley 3-Litre ‘Le Mans’ Tourer
Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court, September 2019

Photographs were taken at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 2019

Bentley 3-litre chassis 141 at 21 Gun Salute Rally 2018 in India
With over 125 vintage cars and bikes, this year’s 21 Gun Salute Rally made for a riveting sight

Visits to war memorial India Gate at New Delhi are always special. But one particular visit stood out this year, as it was the starting point for the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show, which saw some of the country’s finest vintage cars and motorcycles come together; and it wasn’t just a handful of them -– over 125 vintage and classic cars and motorcycles were flagged off from India Gate, making their way to the Ambience Greens Golf Course in Gurgaon (a New Delhi suburb), which was a stunning venue for the concours.

The world class international jury was headed by chief judge Christian Kramer – a FIVA Scrutineer and Collection Advisor – along with eminent others, including Patrick Rollet, FIVA President; Rolls-Royce authority Paul Wood; Richard Adatto, world-renowned expert on French aerodynamic cars; Siegfried Linke, Master Judge at Classic Car Club of America and many other automotive luminaries. The judging was done as per the ICJAG judging guidelines and concours’ standards.

The judges showed appreciation for cars that were sympathetically restored and also paid close attention to detail, like period-accurate screws on the doors and engine bay, as well as paint shades.

What was clear was the quality of restoration. The work done on the cars by the country’s leading restorers and collectors was absolutely world class.

The event saw a number of international entries which included Robert Gaines-Cooper’s historic Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, an extremely rare Delage D-8 120 from California and the legendary Bentley 3-Litre Chassis No. 141 that started the Bentley Boys legend at Le Mans.

In addition to the regular classes, this year’s concours also had an exclusive Italian Piccolo class and a MG Classic Class.

Here are some of the fascinating cars from the event.

Bentley 3-Litre (1922)
Chassis No. 141, owned by Peter and Robin Briggs and restored to its original specification. This was the first Bentley to participate in Le Mans and start the Bentley Boys legend. The car set a lap record of 107kph at its first attempt at the race, way back in 1923.

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Pebble Beach, 2009

Chassis 141: The Story of the First LeMans Bentley, Clare Hay, 2009 - It is internationally known that I have a desire to document the history of every Vintage Bentley ever built, and in 2006 we created an interactive web site where all Vintage Bentley owners and enthusiasts could post information and photographs of every W.O chassis ever built. Now, Clare Hay, the world's foremost Vintage Bentley historian has compiled all available information and photographs on Chassis 141 into a magnificent work. She has done for owner Peter Briggs what every owner tries to undertake — a complete history of their car.

"Chassis 141" tells the story of the first British entry in the famed LeMans 24 Hour Race in 1923. This is the origin of one of the most legendary teams in motorsport history — the "Bentley Boys" — a group of wealthy playboys who drove Bentley racing cars in major events across Europe.

Australian motoring historian, editor and designer of the book, Graeme Cocks points out that the book is appealing as it chronicles the story of the people and the car back in the 1920s and then traces it right through to its discovery in a barn in the 1980s, then how the car was shipped to Australia and totally restored by Peter Briggs and John Hunting in Perth.

"We wanted this book to appeal to historians and motoring enthusiasts who would be interested to see how such a famous car is restored from start to finish — few books are prepared to show cars covered in rust — usually they just show the end results which are always absolutely pristine," Mr. Cocks said. "As one of the world's most valuable cars, we wanted to make sure that the book did justice to its historical significance and the research which went into its restoration."

Anyone who enjoys vintage cars and restoring them, will find this book an inspiration to get out and turn a wrench on their car. From rusty parts to a fine sporting machine, just takes encouragement and this book is a shot of adrenalin. Recommended to the true enthusiast.

Chassis 141: The Story of the First LeMans Bentley has been produced in two editions — a deluxe leather case edition which has been limited to 200 copies and a hardcover edition. It is available at www.lemansbentley.com.au

"Bentley chassis 141 worth $12 million will be on display at Pebble Beach."

Bentley Chassis 141 took 4th place at the 1923 LeMans. It will be displayed at Pebble Beach in August 2009.

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Bentley’s blend of aristocratic cars and pure speed will take center stage at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as the storied British luxury carmaker marks its 90th anniversary.

And it will celebrate in style at the Northern California concours, with four classes of Bentleys set on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach.

Sure to be a favorite is the field of legendary Bentley racers, going all the way back to its first LeMans entry in 1923. Known as Chassis 141, this car set the race’s inaugural lap record and took a respectable fourth-place finish with company founder W. O. Bentley on hand. It fell into obscurity in a small English village, but is now restored and will travel from Australia for the concours.

This car was the pacesetter for the British marque’s emerging prowess in competition, and Bentley won LeMans in 1924. It followed this up with four straight victories from 1927 to 1930.

Perth Australia, 2005

In 2005, BDC Western Australia organised the first Bentley Drivers International rally in Australia attracting 50 entrants from nine countries. They started with their rear wheels in the Indian Ocean and finished with their front wheels in the Pacific Ocean north of Sydney.

Photograph was taken in the Southwestern Forest region of Western Australia. Car driven by Peter and Robin Briggs.

This photograph was taken during the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Aug. 8-17, 2005.

Peter and Robin Briggs in their 1922 Bentley 3-Litre Tourer by Park Ward. (Photo: Perry Stern)

1922 ex Duff/Clement 3 litre Le Mans Bentley

1923: Le Mans. Clement and Duff after the race, having finished equal fourth.

"The photo posted by 'Unknown' (above) showing the car at the Scruteenering Hall with both pilots in and people around. is wrong. It is a picture of the winner car for 1924.

The mistake is easy because both years' cars received N?8 (??). Here is a picture of the car of 1923 from the archive of the Le Mans circuit, where the right registration plate is seen XM 6761.

The difference is that the 1923 car did not have the horn on the right footstep. Note that the windscreen is different too."