France 2008

Retrofitting of some modifications, repair of back axle differential and general overhaul.

Peking to Paris Rally, Bronze Medal winner.

Driver: Jean-Pierre Müller
Navigator: William Medcalf

Peking To Paris Rally — 2007
Owner Jean-Pierre Muller along with William Medcalf in the Peking to Paris Rally in the 1928 Bentley 4½ Le Mans

Extensive work was undertaken to ensure the car could endure the harsh conditions of China, Mongolia, the Gobi Dessert and the poor roads of Eastern Europe.

Invitations were first given out in 2004 for people to take part in the P-P. In October 2006 Jean-Pierre decided that he wanted to take part in the rally and asked us to not only prepare the car, but for William Medcalf to join him on the adventure. This left only seven months to ensure the car was rally ready. Even though the car was in very good condition throughout, and totally reliable, a painstaking inspection was carried out on all components.

Extra fuel tanks were fitted and fuel pumps added with double filtration systems to ensure the Mongolian 70 octane fuel would not get the better of them. The carburetion was re-designed to enable the engine to run as efficiently as possible making use of modern air filters to keep sand out! An exhaust system was specially developed to run outside the chassis and over the Back axle. This will ensure the car can negotiate the many river crossings without flooding the exhaust. These are but a few examples of the many modifications made to the car.

History Of The Peking To Paris Rally
In 1907 a Parisian newspaper issued a challenge: "What needs to be proved today is that as long as a man has a car, he can do anything and go anywhere. Is there anyone who will undertake to travel this summer from Peking to Paris by automobile?"

So started the Peking to Paris motor race.

Only five motorists managed to make the start in vehicles ranging from a three wheeled Contal cycle car to a 7 Litre Itala. The race followed a telegraph route which allowed the journalist travelling as a passenger in each car to wire their reports to the newspapers. This enabled the public in Europe and America to keep abreast of the race while it was being run.

The race was won by Prince Scipione Borghese in his Itala. The Prince was so confident of his chances of winning that he took a detour from Moscow to St Petersburg to attend a dinner held in his honour, before re-joining the race in Moscow.

(The following was written prior to the start of the 2007 event)
To celebrate this early pioneering motoring event The Endurance Rally Association has organised a re-enactment of the race to be held in 2007. A total of 134 cars will set out from Beijing (formerly Peking) on May 27th to follow the 1907 route as closely as possible (even making the detour from Moscow to St Petersburg).

Modifications and improvments by W B William Medcalf for 3rd Peking to Paris Rally.

New insurance valutation 250,000 GBP.

Changes / adaptations for touring by W B Medcalf, Enfield Garage, 38 Bury Street, Edmonton, London N9 7JY.

Purchased by Jean-Pierre Müller.

William Medcalf racing AX1656 in Summer 2005 before being sold to Jean-Pierre Müller in November.

Races (Silverstone, Brands Hatch etc.) with good success.

Owned by William B Medcalf - Middlesex, GB (Car purchased on October 3, 2004)

Complete mechanical body-off rebuild carried out by W B Medcalf Ltd., Enfield Garage, 38 Bury Street, Edmonton, London N9 7JY

National Spring Tour - May 3-9, 1992
AX1656 (1928 3-4½) replica LeMans Tourer - Owner: K. Morrell

"Smooth and clean, this W. O. Bentley car is a 3 Litre chassis with a 4½ Litre engine in it so it really wants to go. Within two weeks of finishing this tour, its happy owners did a further 2,000 miles." — From the article 'Rivers of History - National Spring Tour' - May 3-9, 1992 Story by Roy Perler, CT Photography 1992 K. & M. Karger

Owned by Ken R Morrell - Ontario, Canada (car purchased on Sept 23, 1991). Ken Morrell is the ex-President of the R-R Owners Club, USA

Oct 23, 1991
Car was seized at GB Customs before shipment to Canada because of lacking Export Licence. Later released exceptionally without the fine of 980 GBP.

Nov 15, 1993
Supply of all Layshaft gears for the A type gear box from Brineton Engineering.

Jan 10, 1996
6 transmission gears of A box returned to GB for inspection, ev.replacement.

VDP body fitted by H&H (Henson&Harrison) as Replica of "Old Mother Gun"

"A" Type gear box fitted, No. Hp 389
Willson pre-selector box fitted in 3 L Bentley of (handicapped) Tony Lambert, BDC member.

Stanley Mann: Saloon body removed, probably scrapped.

Pre-1989, 1st body

1928 Bentley 3 Litre
Registration Number: YH 3197; Chassis Number: AX 1656; Engine Number: AX 1660
4 cylinders, 3000 c.c. Coachwork: Gurney-Nutting saloon

The 3 Litre, introduced in 1921, was the first model built by Bentley Motors and also the one that originally brought the marque to fame in racing. The car on offer today was first registered in May 1927 to Mr. Conrad Ackner and benefited from numerous improvements during the early years of his ownership. These features include a Wilson pre-selector gearbox, Barker dipping headlights, 18 in. wheels, glass internal lights and cross-banded door trims. It is pleasing to see that the car has not been cannibalised and all components carry the correct chassis number.

The pre-selector gearbox is most unusual for a Bentley and is of course easier to use than a crash box, but still requires a degree of skill to get the best out of it.

Importantly, the car has survived wearing its delightfully original Gurney-Nutting body; and has had only five owners since new, the current one since 1959. She is finished in black with a blue interior, and this charming car is described as being in good condition, an ideal occasion to acquire a most original vintage Bentley.

Owned by Robert Louis Rolt (Car purchased on October 19, 1954).

Jan 27, 1961
New Registration Book issued

Licences
Jan 13, 1961
Sept 5, 1963
July 19, 1965

Car was certainly still owned by Robert Louis Rolt as of 1977.

3-litre saloon.

1928
Wilson preselector gearbox fitted (probably by Bentley Motors) according to Pride of Bentleys, John Adams and Ray Roberts, pages 42+43, printed 1978 by New English Library Ltd, London

April 28, 1931
12 piston rings and 4 scrapers 80mm x 3/32

June 13, 1932
Twin SU Carb's fitted. Mileage 9,054

Feb 17, 1934
Block rebored to 100.5mm. H.C. piston rings fitted (conversion to 4.5 L)

Chassis no: AX1656
Registration no: YH 3197
Coachbuilder: Gurney Nutting