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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.
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.
2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $450,000-USD $525,000
Lot was not sold
1924 Bentley 3 Litre Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley 3 Litre
(Data based on Model Year 1924 sales)
1924 BENTLEY 3-LITRE SPEED MODEL TOURER Chassis#: 425 Sold for USD$292,833 2021 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | |
1924 Bentley 3-4½-Litre Four-Seater by Vanden Plas Chassis#: 406 Sold for USD$445,000 2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Tourer Chassis#: 365 Sold for USD$243,483 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1924 Bentley 3/5.3 Liter Le Mans Replica Chassis#: 712 Sold for USD$390,000 2019 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Sports Two-Seater Chassis#: 392 Sold for USD$434,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Red Label Speed Model Tourer Chassis#: 610 Sold for USD$330,000 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Tourer Chassis#: 589 Sold for USD$247,735 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1924 Bentley 3 LITER SPEED MODEL FOUR SEATER TOURER Chassis#: 897/780 Sold for USD$199,999 2017 Bonhams : Philadelphia Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Red Label Speed Model Tourer Chassis#: 485 Sold for USD$351,223 2017 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | |
1924 Bentley 3/8-Liter 'Hawkeye Special' Chassis#: 477 Sold for USD$671,000 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey | |
1924 Bentley 3-Liter Sport Tourer Chassis#: 792 Sold for USD$254,500 2012 Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer Chassis#: 840 Sold for USD$265,908 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer Chassis#: 401 Sold for USD$217,891 2011 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre 'Red Label' Chassis#: 356 Sold for USD$258,107 2009 Coys Auction - Blenheim Palace |
Bentley 3 Litres That Failed To Sell At Auction
1924 Bentley 3 Litre's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1924 BENTLEY 3-LITRE VANDEN PLAS REPLICA TOURER | 858 | 2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival : Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia | $170,000 | $220,000 | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Simplex Drophead Coupé | 747 | 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | $260,000 | $320,000 | |
1924 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer | 373 | 2018 Bonhams : Beaulieu Sale | |||
1924 Bentley 3 Litre H.J. Mulliner Simplex Drophead Coupe | 747 | 2018 H &H Auctions Classics & Motor Sport Hall of Fame | $340,000 | $380,000 | |
1924 BENTLEY 3 LITER SPEED MODEL FOUR SEATER TOURER COACHWORK BELIEVED TO BE BY H.J. MULLINER | 717 | 2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | $450,000 | $525,000 | |
1924 Bentley 3-Liter Red Label Speed Model | 849 | 2009 Bonhams Larz Anderson Auto Museum | $275,000 | $325,000 | |
1924 Bentley 3/8 Litre Sports Roadster | 458 | 2008 Automobiles of London | $475,000 | $600,000 | $680,000 |
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1924 Bentley 3 Litre
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