Robinson Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
Chassis #: HB3410
Engine #: HB3412
Registration #: HS 5606
By the mid-1920s, Bentley realized the need for a new four-cylinder model. The 3 Litre model - though a Le Mans winner - was suffering due to increasingly heavy bodies. With the 6.5 Liter in production, Bentley sought to combine the light chassis of the 3 Liter with the extra power of a larger motor. The result was basically a chassis from a 3 Litre with a four-cylinder version of the 6.5 litre engine.The new 4.5 Liter was immediately put into competition. The Bentley Boys quickly amassed Le Mans and Grand Prix finishes and victories. Though the Speed Six was a true champion at Le Mans for Bentley, it was Birkin's admiration and respect for the 4.5 Litre that led to the development of the Blower Bentley.Apart from its racing duties, the production 4.5 Litre was also a luxury car fitted with saloon coachwork. They gained a reputation for being a superb handling Bentley with an exceptional power-to-weight ratio.
The body of this car is a Tony Robinson aluminum skin Vanden Plas 4-seat-tourer with a 6 and 1/2 liter bonnet (long hood). This car started life as a sedan in 1929 and was quickly converted to a Vanded Plas tourer in the 30s. The car has been an open tourer most of its life.
The car is powered by a water-cooled, single-overhead-cam, 4-cylinder, with 4 valves per cylinder, 4,500 cc (4.5-liter) engine, developing 110 horsepower coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The 3,630-pound car has a top speed of 94 miles per hour. The chassis consists of channel-steel, front and rear suspension by semi-elliptic leaf springs, and 4-wheel drum brakes.
The car's mascot, 'Icarus,' is a rare commission by W.O. Bentley and sculpted by Gordon Crosby. The car underwent a complete restoration from the bare chassis to the Hobson Telegauge gas gauge that actually works.
Production amounted to a total of 733 cars of all body styles. Fifty-four cars were equipped with the famous supercharged engine, 'Blower Bentleys,' built by the race driver Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin as a private venture - against W.O. Bentley's wishes.
Robinson Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
Chassis #: HB3410
Engine #: HB3412
Registration #: HS 5606
This 1929 Bentley 4½ Liter Sports Tourer left the factory and delivered new to Mr. G.G. Law of Renfrewshire in August 1929. It wore a Weyman flexible saloon body by Arthur Mulliner. The car remained with Mr. Law until February of 1932 when it entered the car of Dr. W.K. Chalmers of Argyllshire. Two years later it was sold to Mr. G. Dawson in London. From there, its history is not known until March of 1951, when it was owned by G.K. Stratton. He had the car registered as 'Rebuilt Bentley.' In August of 1951, it was advertised for sale in Motor Sport. It had grey paint and wore a Vanden Plas body sourced from another Bentley 4.5-liter. During the 1950s, it was owned by J.M. Hancox who sold it to J.E. Crossman in 1955 and it is believed to have remained with him until 1973. While in either Mr. Hancox or Mr. Crossman's care, the car was involved in an accident. The damage was extensive and required a rebuild using another frame and front axle. The parts were sourced from another 4.5 saloon, chassis number AB3352.After 1973, the car entered the care of C.J. Teal, and then to Mr. J.A. Murch in 1977. An extensive restoration soon followed. At the time, Mr. Murch also owned chassis ST3024. Since ST3024 had the stronger engine, it was swapped with engine HB3412 from chassis HB3410. At this time, the car was also fitted with its current Vanden Plas style body by Tony Robinson.
The car was in Germany during the 1980s. In 1990 it was sold to Greg Johnson of California. Dr. Johnson used the car extensively and had it fitted with a LeMans 3.3:1 axle ratio and electrical fuel pumps.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2019
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre
Bentley
2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $525,000-USD $575,000
Sale Price :
USD $472,500
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley 4.5 Litre
(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)
1929 Bentley 4½ Liter Tourer Chassis#: FB 3320 Sold for USD$604,500 2022 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction | |
1929 Bentley 4½ LITER TO SUPERCHARGED SPECIFICATIONS REPLICA LE MANS STYLE COACHWORK Chassis#: AB 3669 Sold for USD$863,000 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Open Four-Seater Sports by Vanden Plas Chassis#: RL3427 Sold for USD$1,105,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4½ Liter Sports Tourer Chassis#: HB3410 Sold for USD$472,500 2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre 'Le Mans' Style Tourer Chassis#: NX3457 Sold for USD$1,113,274 2018 H & H Auction - Imperial War Museum, Duxford | |
1929 Bentley 4½ Liter Sports Tourer Coachwork by Vanden Plas Chassis#: RL3427 Sold for USD$1,435,000 2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | ![]() ![]() |
1929 BENTLEY 4½-LITRE TOURER Chassis#: DS3551 Sold for USD$451,385 2016 Bonhams - Goodwood Members' Meeting | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: MR 3399 Sold for USD$1,007,788 2015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: PB3527 Sold for USD$1,073,078 2015 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale | |
1929 Bentley 4.5 litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas Chassis#: FB3322 Sold for USD$510,000 2015 Historics at Brookland | |
1929 Bentley Supercharged 4 ½ Litre Original two-seater Sold for USD$1,045,428 2013 Coys Auction - A236 True Greats | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas Chassis#: vC57S119374 Sold for USD$785,996 2013 RM Auction - London | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: FB3324 Sold for USD$505,510 2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1929 Bentley 4 ½ litre Vanden Plas style Tourer Chassis#: RL3441 Sold for USD$465,271 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Four-Seat Tourer Chassis#: NX 3452 Sold for USD$740,096 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | ![]() ![]() |
1929-31 4½-Litre Supercharged 'Blower' Bentley Single-Seater Chassis#: HB 3402 Sold for USD$7,906,745 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre VdP Tourer Model by Sapor Modelltechnik Sold for USD$31,050 2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla | |
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Dual Cowl Sports Tourer Chassis#: KL3584 Sold for USD$2,145,000 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4 1/2-Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas Chassis#: FB3317 Sold for USD$671,000 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Bentley 4½-Liter Supercharged Birkin Team Car Specification Tourer Chassis#: DS 3569 Sold for USD$722,000 2009 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club |
Bentley 4.5 Litres That Failed To Sell At Auction
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Tourer by Vanden Plas | SM3903 | 2021 RM Sothebys : London | $3,800,000 | $4,200,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer | 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $480,000 | $600,000 | ||
1929 Bentley 4 ½ Liter Sports Tourer | FB3317 | 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | $700,000 | $850,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer | RL3428 | 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | $600,000 | $800,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Tourer Recreation by Graham Moss | RC2209 | 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $550,000 | $750,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4.5 Liter Le Mans Replica Fabric Tourer | PL 3496 | 2017 Bonhams : Philadelphia Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | $600,000 | $700,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer by Cadogan | DS3570 | 2015 RM Sotheby's London Auction | |||
1929 BENTLEY 4½-LITRE SPORTS BLUEBELL | RL3439 | 2014 The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $480,000 | $560,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas | NX3467 | 2014 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona | $1,150,000 | ||
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas | FB3317 | 2013 RM Auctions VILLA ERBA | $490,000 | ||
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer | FB3324 | 2013 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | $350,000 | $400,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Drophead Coupé with Dickey | HB3405 | 2011 Bonhams The December Sale | $400,000 | $450,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Two-Seat Sports | DS3568 | 2011 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auctions | $1,000,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Open Tourer | DS3561 | 2008 Automobiles of London | $175,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
1929 BENTLEY 4 1/2 LITER DROPHEAD COUPE | 2003 Bonhams MOTOR CARS | $260,000 | $300,000 |
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1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
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• Other Bentley 4.5 Litre model years