Bentley began from humble beginnings in a mews garage off Baker Street, London in 1919. It quickly achieved fame for its fast touring cars, well able to compete with the best of American and European sports car during the 1920s. The Bentley cars dominated at LeMans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 with the help of the legendary drivers of Woolf Barnato, Jack Dunfee, Tim Birkin and Sammy Davis.
Tourer by Vanden Plas
Chassis #: LM1342
View info and history
Auction entries : 1At the 1919 Olympia Motor Exhibition, W.O. Bentley unveiled the new 3-litre car bearing his name. The prototype engine had only been fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. The four-cylinder 'fixed head' engine had a single overhead camshaft, four-valves per cylinder, a bore of 80mm, and a stroke of 149mm. The ignition was provided by Twin ML magnetos and power was sent via a four-speed gearbox with right-hand change. The engine was mounted in a pressed-steel chassis with a wheelbase of 117.5-inches, then adopted dimensions of 130 inches (Standard Long) in 1923. The shorter frame was then reserved for the TT Replica (Tourist Trophy) and subsequent Speed Model. Prior to 1924, braking was handled by rear wheel brakes. Four-wheel Perrot-type brakes were introduced in 1924. In 1922, Bentleys finished second, fourth, and fifth in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, earning them the Team Prize. This lead to the TT Replica models on the existing 117.5 inch platform. They were identified with the Red Label on its radiator. The Speed Models were given twin SU 'sloper' carburetors, different camshaft, a higher compression ratio, and the close-ratio A-type gearbox. The A-Type gearbox was standard equipment prior to 1927 when the C-Type box was adopted. Other Speed Model enhancements included a larger 11-gallon fuel tank and often Andre Hartford shock absorbers. Approximately 1,600 examples of the 3-Litre models were built with the majority being clothed by Vanden Plas with either saloon or open tourer coachwork.
by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019
Tourer by Vanden Plas
Chassis #: LM1342
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019
Related Reading : Bentley 3 Litre History
Walter Owen Bentley, commonly known as WO, worked as an apprentice at the Great Northern Railway where he designed airplane engines. The first Bentley automobile was created in London just after the end of World War I, and given a three-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower. It was designed by the companys founder, Walter Owen, and benefited from his technical abilities and skill.....
Continue Reading >>
Continue Reading >>
1926 Bentley 3 Litre Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
3 Litre Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
Related Automotive News
Iconic Speed Six to be born again
Bentley announces Speed Six Continuation Series
12 new Speed Six models to be handcrafted by Mulliner, the oldest coachbuilder in the world
Identical recreations of the cars that won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930
Follows huge success of 12-car Blower...
GENERATIONS OF SPEED: BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT3 AND THE BIRKIN ‘BLOWER'
Racers past and present come together to mark extraordinary year of motorsport
2015 saw Continental GT3 win two major international GT championship titles
This year marks the 85th anniversary of the famous 1930 Le Mans win
Cars met at the British...
BENTLEY AT THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE
Historical Bentleys star at prestigious Edinburgh event
1952 R-Type Continental, Blue Train and 8 Litre among line up
Bentley Sunday highlights best of British brands historic range
(Crewe, 31 August) Scotlands historical seat of pow...
CLASSIC BENTLEYS READY FOR ACTION-PACKED SUMMER SEASON
Famous heritage models hit international classic show circuit
95 years of history to tour from Goodwood to Pebble Beach
85th anniversary of Blue Train race and 1930 Le Mans win
(Crewe, 21 May 2015) Legendary cars from Bentleys past are...
BRITISH SPEED IN ITALY: BENTLEY MARKS ANNIVERSARY WITH MILLE MIGLIA RUN
Historic Bentley takes on epic thousand-mile test of endurance
This year marks 85 years since Birkin and Barnatos aborted attempt
1930 4½-litre supercharged Blower one of just 55 ever produced
(CreweBrescia, 12 May 2015) In 1930, Bentle...