1931 Bentley 4 Litre

Tourer by Vanden Plas
Chassis number: VF4019
Engine number: VF4020

The Bentley 4 Litre was the company's swansong before its absorption by Rolls-Royce. With the Depression biting, sales of the old 4.5 Litre were declining and its newest 8 Litre model was hugely expensive. Bentley Motors needed a new smaller model to compete with Rolls-Royce's successful 20/25 HP - and the result was the 4 Litre. A heavy chassis was designed based on the 8 Litre, and was offered in both long and short wheelbase. Although it is perhaps the best chassis Bentley ever produced, few were built because it was really too heavy for the engine. Only 50 4 Liters were completed before Bentley was taken over by Rolls-Royce, and only 12 are known to exist today.

This Vanden Plas-bodied 4 Litre is the most original of these rare survivors and was the London Olympia Motor Show car of 1931.

Tourer by Vanden Plas
Chassis number: VF4019
Engine number: VF4020

Bently built fifty examples of the 4-liter model, and this example was the 19th produced (around a dozen still exist in modern times). Most of the 4-Litres were given enclosed saloon bodywork. This is one of two cars originally fitted with this tourer design by Vanden Plas. The design is nearly identical to Woolf Barnato's personal 8-Litre, except for its size.

This car was a factory demonstrator and finished in Le Mans Green with black fenders, chassis and moldings. Inside, the upholstery was finished in green leather. During a road test, a bearing in the gearbox failed, resulting in a replacement of the gearbox. The car remained in Bentley Motors' stock until the company entered receivership in late 1931. The car was sent to London dealer Jack Olding for sale; it entered the care of its first owner, P.A.G. Phillips of Tunbridge, Wells, on January 4th of 1932.

In September of 1933, it was given a new 4.16:1 rear axle. During World War II, the car was loaned to Mr. Phillip's squadron leader, Peter Balean, of Derby, at least once while Mr. Phillips was on leave in 1941. In June of 1960, Mr. Balean was able to purchase the vehicle, acquiring it from Mr. Phillips's estate. The 4-Liter Bentley would remain in his care until 1989.

While in Balean's ownership, the engine was rebuilt.

Mr. Balean sold the car to Ronald Gray, of Germany and Florida. In 2000, it was acquired by its current caretakers. In late 2009, it was given a full service Steve Babinsky, with further freshening before the car's appearance at the Pebble Beach Concoours d'Elegance in 2014.

The car is believed to have its original paint, interior (including the carpets), frame, engine, and body.

by Dan Vaughan

The final new model produced by W.O. Bentley before the company was absorbed into Rolls-Royce was the 4 Litre Bentley, which was produced from June of 1931 to June of 1933. Just 50 examples were produced. Bentley, who had been known for building cars that had continued to grow in size, weight, and opulence, decided to go in a different direction with their 4 Litre model. With the world feeling the effects of the Great Depression, the 4 Litre was aimed at a new audience of consumers and to help restore Bentley to a good financial state.

The 4 Litre model rested on a shortened 8 litre chassis and was listed for two-thirds the price of a Bentley 8 Litre. The Ricardo designed straight 6 engine had a 3.9 litre displacement and offered 120 horsepower. The design had an inlet-over-exhaust arrangement, which would find its way into Bentley and Rolls-Royce motor cars up to 1959.

by Dan Vaughan