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This Short Chassis Vanden Plas Sports Tourer is one of nine short-chassis 4.5 Litre cars made to special order. It was ordered for Mr. J. Ward Cox of Derby through W.O. Bentley's favorite London dealer, 'Bertie' Kensington Moir. The Short Chassis model was built to a semi-Le Mans specification, which made it easily capable of over 100 mph. This motor car was later owned by the Brooklands racing driver E. W. Pacey, famous for the record-breaking Pacey-Hassan Bentley special. It was acquired by the Fisken family some years ago. Throughout its life, the car remained in largely original condition and retains all her original equipment but with new and authentic Rexine fabric.
Bentley produced ten examples of the 4½-Litre with a 'short-chassis,' with a wheelbase size of 117.5 inches, which was similar in length to the earlier 3-Litre. This original, factory-built short-chassis was built to special-order as the last of six vintage Bentleys ordered by repeat customer John Ward Cox of Derby, with 'Bertie' Kensington-Moir as the selling agent. Given a four-passenger sports tourer body by Vanden Plas, Cox retained the car for a brief period before selling it in 1930 to C.R. Robinson, who, after two years, passed it to Edwin 'Bill' Pacey. It then passed to Peter Eckersly of Stockport, and in 1933 was purchased from him by J.F. Aspin of Manchester. Mr. Aspin retained it through the war years, and then it was owned by a succession of short-term post-war caretakers. The body was externally repaneled in metal before, in 1956, the car was purchased by William Thompson, a longtime Bentley Drivers Club member from Richmond. Mr. Richmond changed the car's registration number to 'WT 43,' and restored and maintained it for 18 years.
In 1973, the car was acquired by H.L.G. Melly, who sold it in 1980 to David B. Benson of Tadcaster. The car remained with Mr. Benson for 28 years during which time the engine was rebuilt with a counterbalanced Allan crankshaft, Carillo rods, and new pistons. The radiator was recorded, a rear axle was rebuilt, and new gears were installed in the 'D'-type gearbox. After spending a brief period in Cambridge, the car was then purchased by a vintage Bentley specialist who kept it for his personal use for nine years. In April of 2006, this owner was able to reacquire and return to the car its original registration, 'CH 8280.' Elmdown Engineering performed additional, comprehensive mechanical rebuilding during 2008 and 2009, including a full engine rebuild and fitment of overdrive.
In 2011, the car was sent to Graham Moss for a sympathetic but highly detailed cosmetic restoration and additional mechanical sorting. The car was returned to its original and blue over blue color scheme.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023
In 1973, the car was acquired by H.L.G. Melly, who sold it in 1980 to David B. Benson of Tadcaster. The car remained with Mr. Benson for 28 years during which time the engine was rebuilt with a counterbalanced Allan crankshaft, Carillo rods, and new pistons. The radiator was recorded, a rear axle was rebuilt, and new gears were installed in the 'D'-type gearbox. After spending a brief period in Cambridge, the car was then purchased by a vintage Bentley specialist who kept it for his personal use for nine years. In April of 2006, this owner was able to reacquire and return to the car its original registration, 'CH 8280.' Elmdown Engineering performed additional, comprehensive mechanical rebuilding during 2008 and 2009, including a full engine rebuild and fitment of overdrive.
In 2011, the car was sent to Graham Moss for a sympathetic but highly detailed cosmetic restoration and additional mechanical sorting. The car was returned to its original and blue over blue color scheme.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,800,000-USD $2,400,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,600,000
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley 4.5 Litre
(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)
1929 BENTLEY 4 1/2 LITRE LE MANS SPORTS TOURER Chassis#: RL3428 Sold for USD$1,545,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Le Mans Tourer in the style of Vanden Plas Chassis#: DS3573 Sold for USD$1,008,777 2023 RM Sothebys : London | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre 'Short-Chassis' Sports Tourer by Vanden Plas Chassis#: NX3463 Sold for USD$1,600,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer by Cadogan Chassis#: DS3570 Sold for USD$687,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
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 |
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
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