 1924 3-Litre Speed Model |
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1925 Bentley 3 Liter news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Tourer Coachwork: Gurney Nutting Chassis Num: 930 Engine Num: 914 |
| Sold for $253,000 at 2010 Gooding & Company. Sold for $236,500 at 2011 Gooding & Company. Sold for $231,000 at 2011 Worldwide Auctioneers. Sold for $231,000 at 2013 RM Auctions. | |||
It is believed that the original owner of this car was Mr. John McMeeking of Southampton, England. During the 1940s, it may have been owned by Captain Ivan Finchow of Lygarth, Dorset, UK. In 1956, the car was imported to the United States by Neil McDade of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Soon after, the car became part of the collection of bernie Goldflies of Dayton, Ohio. In 1962, it was purchased by Richard Fisher. In 1968, George Evenson of Washington state purchased the car, and would retain it for the next quarter-century. Mr. Evenson kept the car in a heated garage and used it regularly.
At the RROC 24th National Meet in 1975, this car was awarded Third Place. This was followed by a Third Place Certificate of Merit at the 1988 RROC British Columbia Regional Meet, a Second Place Certificate of Merit at the 1990 RROC Meet and a First in Class Certificate of Merit at the RROC Spring Meet in British Columbia.
This Bentley is finished in green over tan and has an exposed alloy bonnet, nickel plated radiator, side-mounted spares and an auxiliary light mounted on the windscreen. It has a tonneau cover and an Auster rear screen.
Power is from a 2996cc SOHC four-cylinder engine fitted with twin SU carburetors. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes.
In 2010, this Bentley was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The lot was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $300,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $253,000, inclusive of buyer's reserve.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010
 |  |  | Supersports Brooklands Chassis Num: 1161 Engine Num: 546 |
| Sold for $410,276 (£276,500) at 2008 Bonhams. Sold for $601,000 at 2011 Bonhams. | |||
At the 1919 Olympia Motor Exhibition, W.O. Bentley proudly debuted the new 3-liter car bearing his name on Stand 126. The prototype engine had been fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. This new model, still in its infancy, was destined to become a legend in motor racing history. It has also become a vintage sports icon with its leather strapped bonnet, classical radiator deign and British Racing Green livery.
Between 1925 to 1927, Bentley offered the 100mph Supersports model for their most demanding motorists. Only eighteen examples were built of which 17 were on the short 9-foot wheelbase. The other example was on the Standard Speed model 9f 9.5-inch wheelbase. These cars were very expensive and featured a lightweight chassis, a 15:53 rear axle and an A-type gearbox. The Supersports models were immediately recognizable by their distinctive Green Label tapered radiator.
This example, chassis number 1161, is fitted with the short 9-foot wheelbase. It was first registered in July of 1925 with London County Council. The first recorded owner was J.B. Stennett of The Laurels, Winchmore Hill. The original body style is unknown. Lt. Col. Peter Gillett of The Royal Artillery owned the car in 1949 before selling it that year to Lt. Col. Hugh Widdington-Moor. D J Haley owned the car in 1950, W Main of Fitton, near Bristol was the recorded owner in 1951 and Jim Howarth of Burnley acquired it in 1966.
While in Haley's care, the car was given engine number 72 which came from chassis number 68. The first owner of that vehicle was J.B. Stennett. At some stage in the car's life, chassis 1161 was given a 4.5-liter engine and the engine now fitted, number 546, comes from chassis number 540. The original engine in 1161, engine number 1145, is now in chassis number 609.
In 1987, Jim Howarth constructed the present coachwork for chassis number 1161. It is a Brooklands style body similar to the competition Bentley models of that era. The vehicle is finished in dark British Racing Green and the interior is trimmed in black leather which matching black carpets. Driving equipment includes Lucas King of the Road head and side lamps, CAV rear lamps, including flashing indicators and brake lights. There are Andre Hartford shock absorbers, front wheel brakes, quick fill and release petrol cap and fishtail exhaust. The car rides on 820 x 120mm beaded edge wheels, Excelsior tires with Dunlop heavy duty tubes with brass air fittings installed. There is a luggage storage area behind the seating accommodation.
In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge auction presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $601,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
Walter Owen Bentley, commonly known as 'WO', worked as an apprentice at the Great Northern Railway where he designed airplane engines. The first Bentley automobile was created in London just after the end of World War I, and given a three-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower. It was designed by the company's founder, Walter Owen, and benefited from his technical abilities and skill. This car was the first to carry the flying 'B' insignia and the hallmark radiator casing. An example was shown at the 1919 London Motor Show, though it was void of an engine which was not ready in time.
The 3-litre Bentley would remain in production until 1929 with a total of 1622 examples being produced in various configurations. A total of 513 examples of the Speed Model were created during this time. The 3-Litre Bentley was the car that would give the Bentley Company its fame. The car would emerge victorious at the 1924 24 Hours of LeMans race, which is a true testament to the cars abilities, stamina, technology, ingenuity, and speed. The Bentley's would win LeMans again in 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930. They competed at various other important races, such as the Tourist Trophy and Brookland's Double 12, where the cars proved they were the fastest.
Under the bonnet was the powerplant, which was a technical marvel and advanced for its time, featuring aluminum pistons, twin spark ignition, and an overhead camshaft that operated four-valves per cylinder. The cylinder block and head were cast as a single piece which prevent leakage from the gaskets. The dry-sump lubrication allowed for increased oil capacity, lower center of gravity for the engine, and reduced energy/power loss.
Various coachbuilders were tasked with creating the bodies; Vanden Plas was one of the popular favorites, as was the LeMans type bodystyle which closely mimicked the bodystyle of the LeMans racer. During that era, the cars that raced at LeMans were often given bodies of road-going Tourers, at the request of the organizers of the event. The Bentley's that raced at LeMans were given lightweight bodies, 25-gallon fuel tanks, and a re-worked suspension that included double hydraulic shock absorbers in the front with improved front axle beams. To help while driving at night, some cars were given a central Marchal headlight.
A six-cylinder engine soon followed, appearing in 1925, and provided additional power to carry the large and elegant coachworked bodies. It displaced nearly 6.6-liters and was given all the technology and mechanical ingenuity of the 3-liter units. In 1928 a high performance version was introduced, dubbed the 6.5-Liter Speed Model, also known as the Speed Six. In the capable hands of the 'Bentley Boys', the works drivers spearheaded by Woolf Barnato, captured many important victories for the company. Their first major success came in 1928 at LeMans where Barnato and Rubin drove a 4.5-Liter Bentley to victory. The Speed Six would dominate LeMans again in 1929 and 1930 with Barnato as their driver. The success of the Speed Six was due to its reliability and 200 horsepower engine.
Bentley was unable to compete in 1931 at LeMans due to financial difficulties. The company would soon be acquired by Rolls Royce which spelled an end for the racing program.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe 3-litre Bentley would remain in production until 1929 with a total of 1622 examples being produced in various configurations. A total of 513 examples of the Speed Model were created during this time. The 3-Litre Bentley was the car that would give the Bentley Company its fame. The car would emerge victorious at the 1924 24 Hours of LeMans race, which is a true testament to the cars abilities, stamina, technology, ingenuity, and speed. The Bentley's would win LeMans again in 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930. They competed at various other important races, such as the Tourist Trophy and Brookland's Double 12, where the cars proved they were the fastest.
Under the bonnet was the powerplant, which was a technical marvel and advanced for its time, featuring aluminum pistons, twin spark ignition, and an overhead camshaft that operated four-valves per cylinder. The cylinder block and head were cast as a single piece which prevent leakage from the gaskets. The dry-sump lubrication allowed for increased oil capacity, lower center of gravity for the engine, and reduced energy/power loss.
Various coachbuilders were tasked with creating the bodies; Vanden Plas was one of the popular favorites, as was the LeMans type bodystyle which closely mimicked the bodystyle of the LeMans racer. During that era, the cars that raced at LeMans were often given bodies of road-going Tourers, at the request of the organizers of the event. The Bentley's that raced at LeMans were given lightweight bodies, 25-gallon fuel tanks, and a re-worked suspension that included double hydraulic shock absorbers in the front with improved front axle beams. To help while driving at night, some cars were given a central Marchal headlight.
A six-cylinder engine soon followed, appearing in 1925, and provided additional power to carry the large and elegant coachworked bodies. It displaced nearly 6.6-liters and was given all the technology and mechanical ingenuity of the 3-liter units. In 1928 a high performance version was introduced, dubbed the 6.5-Liter Speed Model, also known as the Speed Six. In the capable hands of the 'Bentley Boys', the works drivers spearheaded by Woolf Barnato, captured many important victories for the company. Their first major success came in 1928 at LeMans where Barnato and Rubin drove a 4.5-Liter Bentley to victory. The Speed Six would dominate LeMans again in 1929 and 1930 with Barnato as their driver. The success of the Speed Six was due to its reliability and 200 horsepower engine.
Bentley was unable to compete in 1931 at LeMans due to financial difficulties. The company would soon be acquired by Rolls Royce which spelled an end for the racing program.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
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| 1924 3-Litre Speed Model |
