May 22, 2014: HT1620 - Sold for £225,500 (US$ 379,043).

Collector's Motor Cars And Automobilia
Hendon, RAF Museum
28 Apr 2014 14:00 BST

1927 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer
Coachwork by Vanden Plas
Registration no. KW 1820
Chassis no. LT1591
Engine no. HT1628
£100,000 - 150,000

The 3-Litre offered here started life with chassis number 'HT1628', the same number as its engine, which was originally fitted with coupé coachwork by H J Mulliner. Registered 'KW 1820', the Bentley was first owned by a Miss S Briggs. Michael Hay's authoritative work, Bentley, The Vintage Years, records the fact that 'HT1628' was rebuilt with chassis number 'BL1601' in November 1930 following an accident and fitted with four-seat coachwork by Vanden Plas. However, the frame currently in the car is from 'LT1591', another Speed Model dating from 1927.

Acquired in 1962 by Sir Claude Hagart-Alexander, the Bentley later passed into the ownership of the late Bobbie MacIntyre. The latter restored 'KW 1820' as near as possible to Bentley team car specification and adopted Birkin's racing colour scheme of red. After completion the car took part in the 1986 Mille Miglia Retrospective and Bentley Drivers' Club Golden Jubilee Event at Buxton. In 1988 'KW 1820' was among the MacIntyre Collection cars sold at Sorn Castle, passing into the private ownership of an enthusiast, who kept the Bentley until it was offered for sale at Brooks' Earls Court auction in October 1997 (Lot 369). At that time it was reported that 'KW 1820' has been used infrequently and undergone a programme of refurbishment including new paintwork immediately prior to the sale. Mechanical work had included the overhaul of the brakes, suspension and carburettors.

The present owner purchased the Bentley at the 1997 Brooks Earls Court sale and commenced its restoration in 1998. The car was completely stripped and the chassis and front axle sent to a specialist for checking. They were then shot blasted and powder coated, while all worn parts of the suspension and braking systems were replaced. The engine was sent to a specialist for a full rebuild, the gearbox checked, and the radiator re-cored by Northampton radiators. Wings and running boards were replaced, the original body repaired and the old trim put back. A new wiring harness was fitted, the instruments rebuilt and a new Pierce windscreen installed. Fuel is now delivered via an electric pump, the Autovac being a dummy. In 2002 'KW 1820' completed the Bentley Drivers' Club's New Zealand Tour, covering a distance of 3,522 miles.

In 2004, it was decided to replace the gears with a constant mesh set, the work being undertaken by marque specialists Brineton Engineering in Walsall. In 2011, a plate clutch conversion was fitted, replacing the original cone clutch. All the old parts have been kept and the conversion is reversible. Now driving superbly, 'KW 1820' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a sensibly updated and well-documented Vintage Bentley. The car is offered with V5 registration document, current MoT/tax and a detailed history file containing bills and restoration photographs.

This car is for sale as of Apr 21, 2014