1925 Bentley 3 Litre Tourer

Together, Walter Owen Bentley and Vanden Plas created a compact, lightweight sports car with open four-seater touring coachwork, and this formula would be replicated by the company throughout its first era of production. It was a style that remained true to its core yet perfected with each new model that was presented. Bentley created the rolling chassis, and Vanden Plas created the bodywork.

As the legendary four-cylinder Bentleys were usurped by 6-cylinder models, the most sporting examples were still constructed in this guise. Nearly all of the famed Le Mans campaigns were undertaken in this configuration.

W.O. Bentley introduced his 3 Liter model on Stand 126 at the 1919 Olympia Motor Exhibition. Beneath the bonnet was a 'fixed head' engine with a single overhead camshaft, 4-valves per cylinder and a bore/stroke of 80x149mm. Twin ML magnetos provided the ignition, and power was transmitted via a 4-speed gearbox with right-hand change. The chassis was formed from pressed-steel with a wheelbase size of 9 feet, 9.5 inches, then adopted dimensions of 10 feet, 10 inches (Standard Long) in 1923; the shorter frame being reserved for the TT Replica and subsequent Speed Model. Before four-wheel Perrot-type brakes became standard in 1924, rear-wheel brakes were employed.

Bentleys finished second, fourth, and fifth and took the Team Prize in the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. This accomplishment led to the introduction of the TT Replica (later known as the Speed Model) on the 117.5-inch wheelbase (short standard) chassis. The Speed Model, identified by the Red Label on its radiator, received twin SU 'sloper' carburetors, different camshafts, a higher compression ratio, and the close-ratio A-type gearbox (the A-type gearbox became standard equipment in 1927 when the C-Type gearbox was adopted). In this guise, output rose from 70 to 80 horsepower. Additional performance options usually included Andre Hartford shock absorbers and a larger 11-gallon fuel tank.

Promoted through competition, the 3 Liter Bentley was successful in the salesroom and on the track, with approximately 1,613 examples constructed with around a third of those being the short chassis Speed model.

MH 4796 | A 1925 Bentley 3 Liter Four Seater Tourer by Vanden Plas

The 1,996cc SOHC inline four-cylinder engine powering this Bentley has four overhead valves per cylinder, a four-speed close-ratio gearbox, leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes with Perrot shaft actuation.

The current caretaker of this Bentley acquired it in the U.K. during the 1980s from a London Bentley dealer. It was then imported to the United States, where it has resided ever since.

This Bentley began life as a Speed Model powered by engine number 1007 and wearing coachwork by Vanden Plas (body number 1125). It wore Dockers French Grey paintwork, with its chassis and fenders contrasting in Parsons Long Acre Red and with a corresponding Grey mohair top, side curtains and tonneau cover and Connolly leather upholstery and red wheels.

The car's first owner was C. L. Warwick, of Beech Hill Park, Hadley Wood in the UK, who owned it briefly before selling it to C. A. Cuthbert of Compton, Nr. Guildford. In 1927, it was sold to G.R. Sutton of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne at which point it migrated to the North of England.

By 1943, this Bentley was owned by J. F. Collinge of Rochdale in Lancashire. The next recorded owner was a Squadron Leader Baron, who kept the car up to 1949. It was owned by K. Hadley, J. F. Edmondson in 1952, W.F. Crosland from October 1954, and P. Patchett from July 1960. In 1965, the care entered the long-term care of the Simons family of Chippenham in Wiltshire.

During the 1970s, the car was given a restoration by UK-based Elmdown Engineering. During this time, a decision was made to cover the metal bodywork in black fabric, which meant the holes for the side curtains were covered; they are no longer with the car. Also during this time, the original engine was repatriated to the car.

The car currently wears a black livery with red upholstery and German silver accessories.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2015