1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre chassis information.

Robinson Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas

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.

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

2018 2
2016 1
2015 3
2013 3
2012 5
2011 1
2009 1
2008 1
2005 3
2004 1

Year	Avg. Sale	High Sale	# of Sales
2018	$1,145,000	$1,435,000	2
2016	$451,385	$451,385	1
2015	$863,622	$1,073,078	3
2013	$778,978	$1,045,428	3
2012	$2,257,632	$7,906,745	5
2011	$671,000	$671,000	1
2009	$722,000	$722,000	1
2008	$880,000	$880,000	1
2005	$546,258	$714,915	3
2004	$209,021	$209,021	1

Recent Sales

(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)

1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre 'Le Mans' Style Tourer Chassis#: NX3457 Sold for $855,000 2018 H & H Auction - Imperial War Museum, Duxford
1929 Bentley 4½ Liter Sports Tourer Coachwork by Vanden Plas Chassis#: RL3427 Sold for $1,435,000 2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1929 BENTLEY 4½-LITRE TOURER Chassis#: DS3551 Sold for $451,385 2016 Bonhams - Goodwood Members' Meeting
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: MR 3399 Sold for $1,007,788 2015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: PB3527 Sold for $1,073,078 2015 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale
1929 Bentley 4.5 litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas Chassis#: FB3322 Sold for $510,000 2015 Historics at Brookland
1929 Bentley Supercharged 4 ½ Litre Original two-seater Sold for $1,045,428 2013 Coys Auction - A236 True Greats
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas Chassis#: vC57S119374 Sold for $785,996 2013 RM Auction - London
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: FB3324 Sold for $505,510 2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
1929-31 4½-Litre Supercharged 'Blower' Bentley Single-Seater Chassis#: HB 3402 Sold for $7,906,745 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Four-Seat Tourer Chassis#: NX 3452 Sold for $740,096 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood
1929 Bentley 4 ½ litre Vanden Plas style Tourer Chassis#: RL3441 Sold for $465,271 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre VdP Tourer Model by Sapor Modelltechnik Sold for $31,050 2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Dual Cowl Sports Tourer Chassis#: KL3584 Sold for $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 $671,000 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1929 Bentley 4½-Liter Supercharged Birkin Team Car Specification Tourer Chassis#: DS 3569 Sold for $722,000 2009 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Tourer Chassis#: XF3505 Sold for $880,000 2008 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre Supercharged Birkin Team Car Specification Four Seater Chassis#: DS 3569 Sold for $714,915 2005 Bonhams - Important Sports and Competition Motor Cars & Fine Automobilia
1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre Le Mans Sports Four Seater Chassis#: NX 3451 Sold for $698,860 2005 Bonhams - Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models
1929 Bentley 4.5 L Le Mans Tourer Chassis#: DS3553 Sold for $225,000 2005 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona

Vehicles That Failed To Sell

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 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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