www.VintageBentleys.org N E W S L E T T E R June 2016
 
History of 4½ Litre Bentley HF3193 - (Page 1 of 5)
Report by Clare Hay (2009) received from Daniel Van Lierde on his very original "ex-Bentley"
 
In Clare Hay's words, 2009:
This report follows on my inspection of this car with Martin Chisholm on 19 February 2009.

Documentation.
Below is a copy of the Bentley Motors Service Record for chassis HF3193. It was built as a 1928 model 4½ Litre with, correct for a very early 1928 model, the "C" type gearbox (no. 6291, confirmed as still fitted in 2009; later 1928 chassis have the "D" type box). The original engine number was HF3196 (again confirmed in 2009). The Service Record notes plain carbon steel brake drums to the back axle and mild steel drums to the front axle, and a special felt to the controls bush. This is presumably to the aluminium bush below the steering column controls box, but no further details are given. The chassis was the standard 10'10" wheelbase, and the back axle the standard 15/53 (3.53:1) ratio. The steering column was raked very low, just 14" above the chassis frame—15½" is more normal—and was despatched to Harrisons to be fitted with a sporting four-seater body. The Service Record notes "Our Own Body Order", meaning that the body was commissioned by Bentley Motors and not for a particular customer. The Service Record doesn’t note the long, 6½ Litre pattern bonnet fitted from new, a feature to be seen on at least two other similar bodies built by Harrisons on 4½ Litre chassis.
 
Eric Forrest Greene in chassis HF3193 as new, with Harrison sports body, with 1928 pattern
Smiths headlamps, long bonnet, Hartford friction shock absorbers, and registration plate 40690.
 

With the body finished HF3193 was returned to Bentley Motors for final test, and the five-year guarantee was issued on 27 April 1928. The agent is listed as José Shepherd & Bell, of Buenos Aires, who imported a number of Bentleys in the 1920s. The first owner is listed as Mr. Mendez Goncalves, of Buenos Aires. The Service Record lists the registration number as 4A40376, but this was added when HF3193 was at the Service Station in August 1931 for overhaul (it is also a misreading of BA 40376). The Service Record almost immediately notes a change of owner to Eric Forrest Greene of Buenos Aires, with later addresses in Italy and c/o Rootes Ltd. in Argentina.

From the Service Records, I turn to the very impressive file of papers that goes with the car. This starts with the original invoice showing that Greene bought chassis HF3196 from José Shepherd & Bell on 7 August 1928, and contains photographs of HF3193 as new, shortly after Eric Forrest Greene bought the car, and includes numerous letters and invoices with Bentley Motors from before the war.
 
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