Found on PreWarCar website on April 20, 2019
1928 4½ litre Bentley
Chassis No NT3133
Engine No NT3133
~ Continuous and prestigious ownership record 1928 - present
~ Cricklewood demonstrator car owned by HM Bentley
~ Substantial paper and photographic record
~ Original UK registration plate YU9689
~ Matching engine & chassis numbers
~ Open Tourer body by Coopers of Putney
VBE Restorations are pleased to offer this beautifully patinated 1928 4½ litre Bentley with matching chassis and engine numbers. The car has a continuous history from January 1928, (when it was first purchased) through to the present.
This chassis was originally commissioned January 21st, 1928 for Capt. Keville-Davies, the Sales Director for WO Bentley at the Cricklewood Works. It was a demonstrator, fitted with an H J Mulliner 4-seater saloon body and registration No. YU 9689. Fitted with Engine No. NT3133 and a C type gearbox No. 6312. The back-axle ratio was 15/53. The plate clutch was changed for a cone clutch. This is one of 657 10’ 10½’’ frames built. The car is catalogued in Dr Clare Hay’s book ‘’Bentley, the Vintage Years’’.
From the ‘Works’ records; the car was purchased in November 1928 by H. Buckmaster of Northwood. Middlesex J Taylor of Warrington purchased the car mid 1930’s. In December 1932 the car was involved in an accident which resulted in the frame being checked and the radiator tie bar being straightened. Lady Margaret Bowyer-Smyth became the new owner in 1936. During her ownership, the car resided in Belgravia, London. The Bentley Service Record ends in October 1937.
It is believed that whilst the car was in the hands of HM Bentley (WO Bentley’s brother), the saloon body was replaced by a 4-seater touring body, similar to a Vanden Plas, and fitted by Coopers of Putney. Coopers Motor Body Ltd, originally in Shepherds Bush, they moved to 253 Putney Bridge Road in 1931. CMB specialised in buying ‘end-of-run’ bodies from other manufacturers then modifying and fitting to various chassis including Austin 20, Lagonda and Rolls Royce. Although Cooper fitted a body to Chassis NT3133 it is not known if they ever manufactured a complete body themselves. The car’s bonnet and rear end were panelled in aluminium whilst the wings, scuttle and doors were in steel.
In February 1948 the car was sold to Maj. P. B. Winstanley (6th. Gurkha Rifles) of Chelsea, London and then in January 1956 to Gordon McDonald and Syd Lawrence. Gordon MacDonlad owned a number of “four and a halves” and raced them extensively. The steering box fitted to NT3133 came from one of Gordon’s other cars. [cf BDC Archives].
In 1961 the car was sold to J.E.Stevens, who initially lived in Bangor, Wales and latterly Inverness, Scotland. NT3133 remained in his ownership until 1973. In a letter to Peter Colborne-Barber, Mr. Stevens mentioned the Earl of March was one of the early owners.
From 1973 onwards chassis NT3133 has resided in Sweden and has changed hands twice before ending up with the current owner’s family in 1984, where it has been loved and used extensively for the last 34 years.
Over the last 90 years the car has had various modifications carried out to ensure a more usable car. The front brakes have been converted to hydraulic (compensator shaft still present). The carburettors have been changed to a more modern SU H6 type. The starter motor has been swapped for a pre-engaged BS5 and a thermostatically controlled electric fan has been fitted to the radiator.
In 2013 the current owner sent the engine to VBE Restorations where a belt and braces rebuild was carried out which included new crankshaft and connecting rods of VBE design, made by Arrow. New Arias pistons, a new 4.5 litre cylinder block and a new camshaft accompanied by Phoenix rockers. New cross shaft gears, new valves, springs, guides and collets were also fitted. The bottom end was converted to shell bearings and a modern oil filtration system was installed to protect the fresh engine. Photos and invoices of the extensive rebuild can be supplied to prospective buyers. Since the engine rebuild the car has covered little more than 2,000 miles.
Prior to sale, the car was sent to VBE Restorations and has been thoroughly inspected and road tested. Various small issues have been rectified including replacing the clutch thrust bearing and flexi drive coupling. Repairs made to the rear floors and the replacement of engine mounting rubbers. The brakes have been reset and serviced amongst many other smaller items. The car has also been treated to a full service, ready for its next owner.
The car comes with the original components removed from the engine including; crankshaft, pistons and rods. The original wings will also accompany the car, along with an extensive history file of receipts, photos and early documentation. The original Buff Logbook is also present. The original registration has been signed off by the Bentley Drivers Club, and the car now has its original UK registration mark returned (courtesy of the DVLA).
The car is an excellent example of the Bentley marque and has been extensively used and proved extremely reliable during the current custodian’s ownership.
This car
is for sale as of April 20, 2019 |
