Hatfield House, 2004

1925 Bentley 3 Litre Open Four Seater Sports Tourer by Gurney Nutting
Registration Number: YM 1276 Chassis Number: AP314 Engine Number: AP314
Price. £97,500

"An original, patinated Bentley Open Tourer with fascinating history, original leather and all the warts to go with it. The car has an extensive service record, being looked after by no less than Bentleys themselves at Kingsbury, showing full records up until 1939.

And now comes the exciting bit!!

A Mr Woodrow from Salisbury purchased the car in 1939 and the factory service department were asked to shorten the frame from standard to speed model length and no doubt at the same time the original body (still fitted to car) would have been shortened as well.

Having crawled all over her, I noticed on the back seat a large file which gave me the complete history of this car from 1939 right up until yesterday. This file is very complete and I always refer to cars with this much paperwork as "A Hernia File". If you enjoy reading and having knowledge of an exciting car and you are a bit of a history boffin, then start to get excited. One can only assume that this car has been a great character to all of its owners, remember it would have been cheaper to buy a short chassis than to go to all the expense of getting the factory to do all of these mods. The car is to full speed model spec - slopers carburettors, 3.78 Back axle, speed model camshaft etc.

Again at the risk of repeating myself, this is an excellent, patinated, original Vintage Bentley of great character..."

"My first vintage Bentley. A lovely car that I should have kept. Purchased from Stanley Mann in 2000 and traded back in a year later. Originally a long chassis car which was shortened by the factory in the 30s. Nice to drive but I was seduced by the lure of a 3/4.5 which I still have. Very original and unmolested when I had it."

This car was owned by Nick Gould from 2000 to 2001.