Deauville Basse-Normandie France, September 2012

"I noticed on your website, the details of Bentley YE 4557 as being for sale. I have attached a photo of this car I took in the showroom where it was for sale."

1927 Bentley 3/4½ Litre
Registration Number: YE 4557
Chassis Number: TN1553

After the launch of the 4½ litre engine in 1928, the practice of grafting 4½ litre engines into the 3 litre (short) chassis became common place as many engineers and enthusiasts claimed this was the best combination to produce a fast, fine handling, road and race car.

YE4557 is just such an example, with a well documented history.

Built to 1927 specification this original 3 litre Speed Model chassis featured a 9' 9½” wheelbase. It was dispatched by Henley's of Great Portland Street, London some time during February of 1927.

The Bentley Motors service records show a number of owners over the years and details work undertaken to the car during this time, but it found more notoriety during the ownership of Mr. W F J Brogden who acquired the car in 1958. It appears that Mr. Brogden rebuilt chassis TN1553 and he proudly exhibited at the BDC Kensington Gardens Concours in 1960, gaining the runner up prize in the vintage class. His award notwithstanding, John Brogden entered the car at the BDC Silverstone race meeting in November, finishing third in the novices handicap, from then on the car and MR Brogden featured in many BDC reviews of the 1960's, and the car was campaigned at the BDC Antwerp speed trials, averaging 96.406 mph for the flying kilometre, and a single best run of 100.221mph.

In November of 2001 the current owner commissioned Dick and Graham Moss to undertake a complete and comprehensive restoration of the car.

This work was done with the utmost care and skill, ensuring that many original features were retained. Since completion TN1553 has covered just 150 miles and represents a unique opportunity to acquire a significant historied Bentley in truly magnificent condition. The judges at the 2010 Blenheim Palace Concours D'Elegance were certainly impressed with the Bentley as they awarded it the Churchill Trophy. Resplendent in its dark blue coach work and glorious red leather upholstery, in this condition the car is sure to add more concours winner's trophies to its owner's cabinet, and is a worthy addition to any collection.

"A unique two seater boat-tail Vintage Bentley.

This is a wonderful 3/4.5 litre, which holds the record for the fastest 4.5 litre to visit the famous Ghent Speed Trials in Belgium where it achieved a two-way average of 118mph.

Having covered only 300 miles since its rebuild, it is presented in concours condition."

Coys Auction, 2003

"1926 Bentley 3 Litre
I was recently very kindly given a disc of old car show photos from the mid to late 70's which were found on glass slides in a skip and then scanned to disc, I thought i'd uploaded them to here, there are over 1100 images so it could take me a while!"

RREC driving tests, 1970

Bentley Golden Jubilee trip to Le Mans in 1969.

At Oulton Park.