Jan 16, 2015: Sold

1924 Bentley 3-Litre “Red Label” Short-Chassis Speed Model Tourer

Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd.
Chassis No. 641
Engine No. 637
Registration No. XT 6995 (UK)

First produced in 1919 and made available to customers in 1921, the Bentley 3-Litre provided the launch pad for one of the most successful and enduring brands in motoring history. Good looks, innovative design and a plethora of competition successes including victories at the Le Mans 24 hour races, all contributed to ensuring that the 3-Litre Bentleys remain as popular amongst enthusiasts and collectors today as they were with the eager buying public during the 1920s. Powered by a four-cylinder engine of 2996cc, the engines featured many innovations for a production model including: four valves per cylinder, an overhead camshaft and twin spark ignition. Even in standard form they were good for 80mph. Three main variants were produced including the oft termed “Blue Label” on a 10ft10” wheelbase chassis, the “Red Label” Speed Model on a 9ft9” wheelbase chassis with a high compression engine and twin “sloper” carburetors and a “Green Label” Super Sports model on an even shorter 9ft wheelbase chassis and 100mph performance guaranteed.

Copies of factory records on file indicate that the fine example offered for sale here is one of the highly sought after “Red Label” Speed Models and was first registered on the 1st July 1924. The chassis number is 641 and it retains the original high compression engine (No. 637). Coachwork was of a four door, four-seat touring type by Park Ward Ltd. and fortuitously ‘641’ still carries this coachwork, albeit restored, to this day.

Chassis No. 641 was sold via Coppens Allan & Co. of Great Portland Street to a Mr. E Fuller of the English Grains Co. Ltd. The copy factory records detail various works carried out on ‘641’ up until 1935 with no noted change of ownership to this point. The buff logbook also on file shows that by 1954 the car was registered to a Mr. R.J. Sear of Lancing before passing to Mr. J Pitchford in 1956. A photograph published in the Bentley Drivers Club magazine shows that by this point the car remained extremely original. The original body had been slightly modified to create an even sportier look by shortening the rear of the body and fitting a slab tank behind the rear seats with a spare wheel attachment. Furthermore cycle wings had been fitted and the driver’s door cut out, but ostensibly the car still carried the original Park Ward coachwork. In 1967 Mr. Pitchford sold ‘641’ to a Mr. F. “Pickles” Knight, a garage owner in Shoreham by Sea and it stood in his showroom for a long time. A letter to the Bentley Drivers Club on file demonstrates that it remained in the ownership of Mr. Knight until it was purchased from his estate by Mr. J.M. Gurney (the author of said letter) and his son, in highly original form and still sporting the minor body alterations.

Having purchased ‘641’ John Gurney commissioned a total mechanical restoration of the car and there are numerous invoices on file to support this. In 1985 the restoration of the body commenced. The original panels were stripped and the ash frame was repaired and lengthened to original specification as required. The driver’s door was also returned to the original shape and correct type wings and lights fitted. The lengthy and costly process is very well documented in photograph album. Once completed the car successfully won its class at the Bentley Drivers Club Concours and took part in the Buxton Rally, again chronicled in the same photograph album.

In 2010 ‘641’ was purchased by Mr. Paul Marsh of Surrey, who used the car sparingly. Recent invoices on file demonstrate that he commissioned Bentley Specialists Elmdown Engineering to carry out regular inspections and services and to carry out any necessary works required to keep ‘641’ in tip top condition with absolutely no expense spared.

Offered for sale then is a superbly original and sought after short chassis Speed Model Tourer that has been lovingly restored back to its original specification over many years, retains its original coachwork and all major mechanical components and has a well-documented history as evidenced by the extensive history file offered with the car. It is suitable for a plethora of international rallies and tours, sprints, hillclimbs and racing as well as Concours D’elegance and D’Etat events. A hugely versatile, attractive and well documented Tourer from one of the vintage era’s most sought after and respected manufacturers that has been restored and maintained regardless of cost.

This car is for sale as of November 4, 2014.

Brooklands New Year Meet, January 2014

"Thank you very much Robert. Your site is fantastic. As a result of the listing I heard from the family of one previous owner who owned the car between 1937 and 1954. They have sent some superb photos of the car during this time. I also drove down to Southhampton to meet them and got a lot more information. I will put together some photos and history to be posted on the site."

"My uncle, Absolom Joseph Pitchford, owned a Red Label Bentley number XT 6995 (I think) before or during World War II and until the early or middle fifties. His daughter, and your records, indicate that a John Pitchford owned this car from 1955 - 1957. I had a very close connection with this Bentley in my early years, and with my uncle driving it. But I did not actually own it. I was up at Cambridge 1960 - 1962 - (like the John Pitchford in your records who was there in the Fifties). Can you throw any light on the matter. -- perhaps with a way to contact John Pitchford owner 1955-57. Thank you. John Pitchford"

This car is presently owned by Paul Marsh

These photographs were taken at Brooklands Museum, New Year's Day 2013.

Bristol Classic Car Run: Bentley on the road at Pensford

"1924 Bentley 3-Litre Open Tourer - Classic Cars on the London to Brighton Route, November 2010"

This car was purchased by Paul Marsh in 2010.

"...I remember the car well and maybe could supply further data if asked. By the way, I have seen the pictures of the car as it is today, and would emphasise that "tatty" applied to its condition 50 years ago!"

See John Pitchford's comment below under 1955-1957.

"These photographs were taken at Bentley Drivers Club Concours at Kensington Gardens in England in July 1984."

"Please add one small point to the given info about XT 6995: A tatty but wonderful (and surprisingly reliable) 3 litre red label which I owned for a couple of years while up at Cambridge in the 50s. That is that it had a Park Ward body - which although much modified by previous owners was definitely original. I adored the car and only lack of cash caused me to part with it. I sold it to a garage owner with the delightful name of Pickles Knight who kept premises in Shoreham by Sea. It stood in his showroom window for a long time — until I lost track of it..."

This car was owned by John Pitchford from 1955 to 1957.

Gateway to Christmas — A photograph by J. M. O. Gurney.