Production of the 3-Liter Bentley reached 1,624 cars in three wheelbase configurations and three performance levels, including the Speed Model with its distinctive red radiator badge, or 'Red Label.' Each 3-Liter carried a five-year guarantee and Bentley preferred customers send their chassis to one of 100 different coachbuilders approved by the company. The finished product was inspected thoroughly before Bentley allowed it to be sold.

This particular example is a short-chassis Red Label model and one of just 513 such cars built. It was delivered new to Sir Harry Warden Chilcott and registered as YM 1462. During its early ownership history, it received several Works modifications, including long-skirt pistons (fitted by Bentley at the time of the engine rebuild in 1930), a larger oil sump, and larger oil pump; various factory 'speed' parts, including the twin SU 'sloper' carbs, close-ratio gearbox, finned brake drums, and twin Bosch magnetos were also period Work upgrades. It is believed that its Super Sport specification is the only one done on the 9-foot, 9.5-inch chassis with such an engine done by the factory.

Dr. W. Mayne of Bristol, England purchased the car in 1950. It was later owned by John Douglas, then in 1964 was sent to the United States and sold to O'Neil Ford. It remained with Mr. Ford until his death in 1982. It was sold two years later to Richard Burdick. In the early 1980s it received a high-quality restoration with the current Vanden Plas-style fabric LeMans tourer coachwork, built by British coachbuilder James Pearce. Since that time, the car has been used very little and remains in exceptional condition. The car was exhibited in Burdick's Central Texas Museum of Automotive History until 2007.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018