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Bentley introduced its 4½-Litre model in 1927, following a prototype's running at Le Mans that year. It used the same bore and stroke as the six-cylinder 6½-Litre but retained the 3-Litre's shaft-and-helical camshaft drive. The performance of the 4½-Litre was solidified when it took an outright victory at Le Mans in 1928. A properly prepared 4½-Litre in racing trim was capable of achieving 120 mph, which was considered a remarkable accomplishment for that era.
This particular 4½-Litre was initially delivered to an S.K. Thornley of Birmingham, England with Vanden Plas coachwork. It was acquired in 1933, while still under Bentley Motors guarantee, by Fred Salmons of the Newport Pagnell-based coachbuilder Salmons & Sons, established in 1830. Mr. Salmons (known as 'Mr. Fred' on the shop floor) clothed the vehicle with his preferred style of coachwork - a Drophead Sports Coupe formed from lightweight aluminum. It has slender front wings, polished aluminum louvers, and a convertible top that offers open-air motoring in finer weather along with all-season protection when the top is in place. Its doors displayed polished 'Tickford wings' above the beltline.
This was Mr. Salmon's personal car until at least 1940. After World War II, the car passed through several owners and briefly resided in the United States. In the early 1980s, the car returned to England, where it was sent back to the original Salmons & Sons building in Newport Pagnell, then (as now) operating under the auspices of Aston Martin Works, for restoration. In 1985, the car was acquired by D.P.L Benyon, who used it in various Bentley Drivers Club events and international rallies, including the Irish Gordon Bennett Rally. Mr. Benyon retained the car for over three decades.
The Bentley currently retains its numbers-matching engine, front and rear axles, and steering column. Its 'C' type gearbox was replaced in-period by Bentley Motors as a replacement for its original 'D' type gearbox. It currently has an overdrive. The engine was rebuilt in 2000, including a rebore, new Arias pistons, new liners, and valves.
In 2020, the car was shown at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2021
This particular 4½-Litre was initially delivered to an S.K. Thornley of Birmingham, England with Vanden Plas coachwork. It was acquired in 1933, while still under Bentley Motors guarantee, by Fred Salmons of the Newport Pagnell-based coachbuilder Salmons & Sons, established in 1830. Mr. Salmons (known as 'Mr. Fred' on the shop floor) clothed the vehicle with his preferred style of coachwork - a Drophead Sports Coupe formed from lightweight aluminum. It has slender front wings, polished aluminum louvers, and a convertible top that offers open-air motoring in finer weather along with all-season protection when the top is in place. Its doors displayed polished 'Tickford wings' above the beltline.
This was Mr. Salmon's personal car until at least 1940. After World War II, the car passed through several owners and briefly resided in the United States. In the early 1980s, the car returned to England, where it was sent back to the original Salmons & Sons building in Newport Pagnell, then (as now) operating under the auspices of Aston Martin Works, for restoration. In 1985, the car was acquired by D.P.L Benyon, who used it in various Bentley Drivers Club events and international rallies, including the Irish Gordon Bennett Rally. Mr. Benyon retained the car for over three decades.
The Bentley currently retains its numbers-matching engine, front and rear axles, and steering column. Its 'C' type gearbox was replaced in-period by Bentley Motors as a replacement for its original 'D' type gearbox. It currently has an overdrive. The engine was rebuilt in 2000, including a rebore, new Arias pistons, new liners, and valves.
In 2020, the car was shown at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2021
2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $600,000
Lot was not sold
2019 Historics at Brooklands - Motor Museum
Pre-Auction Estimates :
£380,000-£420,000
Lot was not sold
1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley 4.5 Litre
(Data based on Model Year 1928 sales)
1928 BENTLEY 4 1/2 LITRE SPORTS TOURER Chassis#: TX3235 Sold for USD$31,060 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: HF3179 Sold for USD$561,053 2021 RM Sothebys : London | |
1928 Bentley 4½ Liter Le Mans-Style Tourer Replica Vanden Plas Chassis#: 3043 Sold for USD$747,500 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: MF3157 Sold for USD$573,811 2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Open Sports Tourer Chassis#: FT3221 Sold for USD$1,100,000 2017 Gooding & Co. : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer in the style of Vanden Plas Chassis#: PM3252 Sold for USD$852,500 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Semi-Le Mans Tourer Chassis#: MF3153 Sold for USD$2,750,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre British Flexible Coupe Chassis#: XR3347 Sold for USD$726,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Sports Bobtail Chassis#: KM3088 Sold for USD$6,050,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Tourer Chassis#: NT3131 Sold for USD$1,231,925 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Tourer Chassis#: PM3252 Sold for USD$770,000 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | |
1928 Bentley 41/2-Litre Tourer Chassis#: RL3427 Sold for USD$327,541 2005 Bonhams - Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models |
Bentley 4.5 Litres That Failed To Sell At Auction
1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1928 BENTLEY 4 1/2 LITRE TOURER | PM3254 | 2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction | $600,000 | $800,000 | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Sports Tourer | TX3239 | 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | $1,100,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Drophead Sports Coupe by Salmons & Sons | XL3114 | 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $500,000 | $600,000 | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer | UK3277 | 2020 Bonhams July Motoring Auction | $380,000 | $400,000 | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Drophead Coupé by Salmons & Sons | XL 3114 | 2019 Historics at Brooklands Motor Museum | $380,000 | $420,000 | |
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Sports Tourer | ST3006 | 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | |
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer | NT3137 | 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood | |||
1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Le Mans Sports The Bobtail by Vanden Plas | KM3088 | 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | $6,500,000 | $7,500,000 | |
1928 Bentley 3/4.5 Litre Vanden Plas Style Le Mans Tourer | HT1649 | 2015 H & H Auctions Imperial War Museum | |||
1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre Tourer | 2013 H & H Auctions The Pavilion Gardens | $400,000 | $470,000 | ||
1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Harrison British Flexible Coupe | XR3347 | 2012 Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, Fl | $600,000 | $800,000 |
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1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre
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