1924 Bentley 3 Litre Tourer

Walter Owen Bentley was well known in the motorcar world when he introduced his first three-litre model at the 1919 London Auto Show. Racing successes earned Bentley world-wide prestige. In fact, these automobiles won the grueling 24-hour race at Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930. To many, the 3-Litre Bentley has become the ultimate expression of the pre-World War II English sports car.

It is believed that its coachwork is original to the car; it is also believed that the coachwork was the work of H.J. Mulliner. The car was sold new to Eric G.S. Gordon of Burton Court in London by Gaffikin Wilkinson & Co. of Dover Street in London's West End. The vehicle is a 'Speed Model' specification and is fitted with twin S.U. carburetors, a short chassis, and is badged with an iconic 'Red Label.'

By the spring of 1933, the car is known to have had a new owner, Sidney Rogerson of Albert Hall Mansions in South Kensington, London. Prior to 1940, it was owned by Mr. Mawnsell of Colyton in Devon in the West Country region of England, and then to R. L. Bawden, now in London again in Walthamstow.

It is believed it spent most of its post-war life in a single long-term ownership. It is believed that in the early 1950s the car was given to Dr. Ashworth off Stalybridge in Cheshire as a gift for his 21st birthday. It is also believed that he retained the car until its sale in 1989. By this point in history, it was powered by engine number 403, which had originally been delivered in a long chassis car in 1923. The new owner began a restoration which took nine years to completion. Upon completion, it was offered for sale publicly in 1998. The car was purchased in March of 1998 and migrated to the United States where it has resided ever since. It was owned by Mr. Reid in Vermont in 2002/3 before coming into the care of its current caretaker.

Until recently, the coachwork was believed to have been performed by VandenPlas. New research suggests it was actually the work of H.J. Mulliner.

The current caretaker had the re-freshened and has been actively campaigning the vehicle on a multitude of road touring and show events including several Mille Miglias, the Colorado Grand, and those of the Bentley Driver's Club. It has competed at the Mille Miglia retrospective in 2004, 2005, and 2007.