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1925 Bentley 3 Litre    
Original 1925 Numbers
Chassis No. 915
Engine No. 923
Registration No. XY 4944

  This car - updated
Chassis No. 915
Engine No. 923
Registration No. XY 4944

(Updated with information from Bonhams. - August 2011)
 
February 2018
 

"My name is BERND DIMBATH, I am a violin maker in Bubenreuth, Germany and have been collecting vintage cars for more than 30 years. 15 years ago I bought a very nice 1928 BENTLEY Le Mans style open tourer 4 1/2 Litre (chassis KM3079) which is the highlight of my collection since then.

~~

A few years ago I happened to buy a very beautiful and unique wooden SHOOTING BRAKE body which was removed from the following car in 2012:

1925 Bentley 3-Litre
Registration no. XY 4944
Chassis no. 915
Engine no. 923"

 
     
     
  Source: Bernd Dimbath
Posted: Feb 23, 2018
 
     
October 2012
 

"The car now carries an original Gurney Nutting four seater open tourer body. This body, in excellent condition, came from Chassis NR505 which carries engine No 946. That Chassis was originally built as No 955 in 1925, just weeks apart from the time when Chassis 915 was made. It was renumbered before being regsitered.

The four seater open tourer body by Gurney Nutting was carefully removed. It has since been fitted to Chassis 915 (from which the previous Shooting brake body was removed) and retains its British racing green paint on body and wings, with seats in original red leather front and back, and an almost new hood with cover and frame. It also retains its almost new tonneau cover, and the original fitted rear passenger auster screen."

The current owner of Chassis NR505 (which was first registered to Mr E C Poynter in March 1926 carrying the registration number YN3808), lives in France where the car is registered 1926YP14. In 2007 he decided to have the chassis shortened and the engine bored out to 4½ litres, with a new body and a 4½ litre radiator. The work was carried out by VBE.

 
     
     
  Source: Nigel Macdonald (Owner)
Posted: Oct 09, 2012
 
     
2011
 

This car was purchased by Nigel Macdonald in 2011.

 
     
     
  Source: Nigel Macdonald
Posted: Oct 09, 2012
 
     
August 2011
Click on thumbnail for larger view
   
 
 

 

 
  50 years in the current ownership
1925 Bentley 3-Litre Shooting Brake
Registration no. XY 4944
Chassis no. 915
Engine no. 923

Estimate: £80,000 - 100,000, € 91,000 - 110,000

Michael Hay's authoritative work, Bentley, The Vintage Years, records the fact that '915' was completed on the long standard chassis with the A-type gearbox and 'allweather' coachwork by James Young. Registered 'XY 4944', the Bentley was first owned by one J H Clay and in June 1927 returned to the factory to be fitted with the B-type gearbox. It is not known when the current timber framed and panelled shooting brake body was fitted.

The car was purchased by the current vendor in 1961 and last used in 2006. Refurbishment carried out since acquisition has included an engine rebuild (circa 1970) retaining the original standard-size cylinders and pistons; overhauling the wheel hubs and road springs; and various remedial works to the wooden bodywork, which now requires further attention. Described as in generally good mechanical condition, with fair/good body, paint and interior, this unique and most practical Bentley 3-Litre is offered with old-style logbook and Swansea V5 registration document.
 
     
     
  Source: Bonhams
Updated: Aug 19, 2011
Posted: Aug 04, 2011
 
     
2011
 

"This car is due to be included in the Bonhams September 2011 auction at Beaulieu."

 
     
     
  Source: John Murch
Posted: Jul 12, 2011
 
     
2006
In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member
EARLIEST RECORD OF HISTORICAL FACTS & INFORMATION
 
Chassis No. 915
Engine No. 923
Registration No. XY 4944
Date of Delivery: May 1925
Type of Body: Allweather
Coachbuilder: James Young
Type of Car: ST
   
First Owner: CLAY J H
 
     
  More Info: Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: "A box new - B box fitted June 1927. Shooting brake body."  
     
     
  Posted: Mar 01, 2007  
     
 
 
 
Submit more information on this car
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photograph received from Simon Hunt for Chassis No. RL3439
Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Dick Clay for Chassis No. 147
Sep 29, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Ernst Jan Krudop for his Chassis No. AX1651
Sep 28, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Lars Hedborg for his Chassis No. KL3590
Sep 25, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. XV 3207
Sep 24, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. YM 7165
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