1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre Two-Seat Sports

The new 4.5-liter Bentley arrived on the scene in late-1927 following the prototype's debut at that year's LeMans race, where it set a new lap record. It was the successor to the 3-liter using features of the original 4-cylinder engine as well as some from the later 6-cylinder engine on which development had begun in 1925. The 4.5-liter was brought about by the need for greater power and speed that was required for Bentley to ensure competitive supremacy.

The engine quickly proved its mettle with an outright LeMans win in the 1928 and subsequent Brooklands competition success. During the production run from 1927 until the takeover by Rolls-Royce in 1931, few modifications to the engine were deemed necessary attesting to its overall excellent design. In standard Vanden Plas tourer form, the 4-liter Bentley was good for 92 mph; in LeMans trim, 120 mph was possible - quite remarkable for the era. Bentley built a total of 665 units during the model's lifespan.

This Bentley 4.5-Liter Two-Seat Sports was ordered as a semi-LeMans chassis. It was a special order with 'LeMans Style' constructed with a large 25-gallon fuel tank, extended bonnet, spring-loaded bonnet strap, stone guard radiator, inboard foot-brake adjustment, adjustable Andre shock absorbers, a low-mounted spare and P100 headlamps with stone guards. It was fitted with a 'British Flexible' Harrison sports two-seat body with a fold-flat wind-screen. The new owner took delivery of the car in August of 1929. The purchaser was J.H. Hanley.

In 1930, ownership passed to LH.W. Preston, who used the car in New York for a period of months in 1931. It was purchased by Harecourt Smith in 1933. It was apparently sold in 1939. It is believed that during this period, the rear of the body was opened to accommodate another seat.

In 1947, the car was in the care of D.J. Garsten and purchased a year later by R. Elton. That same year, the car was involved in an accident. The driver's side of the car apparently collided with a truck and the axles, fenders and coachwork were seriously impacted. In 1949, Mr. Elton commissioned a professional rebuild of the car with NOS items. At that time, the car was re-registered HBY 625.

After the work was completed, Mr. Elton retained the car for another six years before selling to C.A. West in 1955. Seven years later, it was sold to M.A. Roberts of New Jersey. While in his care, the car was restored to its original trans-American record attempt configuration. The original owner had attempted a trans-American record attempt after acquiring the vehicle, but the treacherous and impassible roads of the era made it difficult. The car made it across Iowa, but in Wyoming or Colorado, just before the Great Divide, trouble struck. A supposed blizzard ended the trek when the sump was damaged.

In 1984, the car was sold to the current owner. In 2001, the car received a Second in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, First Place and Best of Show at the RROC National Meet in Calgary, Senior and Premier 100 points at CCCA events, and a Senior award, Senior Grand National award and the S.F. Edge Trophy in AACA competition.

In 2011, at the Pebble Beach, CA auction presented by Gooding & Company, the car was estimated to sell for $1,000,000 - $1,400,000. It would leave the auction unsold after its reserve was not met.