1923 Bentley 3 Litre Tourer

Lot details
Registration No: PD 7014
Chassis No: 340
Mot Expiry: Exempt

"It was not the means whereby the 3-Litre Bentley performed, but the manner in which it did it, that endeared the car to sportsmen who took pride in their driving. The engine was remarkably flexible, strong and reliable, the gear ratios admirably chosen, the handling excellent and the quality unremittingly high. So, also, was the price, but an ever-growing reputation, augmented by striking racing victories - including the Le Mans 24 hours of 1924 and 1927 - ensured its success" ('Classic Sports Cars' by Cyril Posthumus and David Hodges).

One of just 765 Bentley 3 Litres to be built on the Long Standard wheelbase (10ft 10in), chassis 340 was bodied as an extravagant Two-Seater plus Dickey by Park Ward. Supplied new to J.D. Botterell Esq of Browns, Effingham, Surrey on August 28th 1923, it returned to the Cricklewood Works some twelve months later to be fitted with front wheel brakes. Acquired by J. Stableford Esq of Upper Brook St, London W1 after 7,000 miles or so in 1928, the Bentley is known to have subsequently belonged to A.B. Stenhouse Esq of Greencroft Gardens, London NW6, John Washbourn Eyre Esq of Portland Place, London W1 and Major W. Hamilton of Kingston-upon-Thames before migrating northwards and into the care of D. Edwards Esq, D.H. Shaw Esq, A.A. Beard Esq, Captain Hill, Edward Gibson Esq. and the vendor who spotted it for sale in the Manchester Evening News during 1959!

Upgraded to somewhere near `Speed Model' specification with a new camshaft, re-bored block (enlarged to 81mm), high compression pistons and twin SU carburettors in 1933-1934, the 3 Litre still retained its original - albeit dilapidated - bodywork into the 1960s. Concerned at the condition of the wings and dickey seat compartment, the present owner commissioned a Cheadle-based coachbuilder to extend the main Park Ward tub aft of the doors but ahead of the bulkhead so as to create a Four-Seater Tourer. He also had a revised windscreen and bespoke petrol tank installed together with simpler cycle wings and adjustable aeroscreens etc. New gears were fitted to the steering box in a successful attempt to reduce the effort involved in low-speed manoeuvres (though, the originals accompany the car should a new owner wish to reinstate them), while previous keepers had seen fit to modify the dashboard, chrome-plate various fittings, uprate the headlamps and add Andre Hartford Telecontrol shock absorbers.

Pleasingly retaining its original engine crankcase (number 341) and a proportion of its original Park Ward coachwork, chassis 340 has not possessed a valid tax disc since 31st October 1995. Not driven for at least a decade due to the vendor's poor eyesight, the Bentley will require careful recommissioning / overhauling prior to road use. Seemingly complete, the 3 Litre sports a red enamel radiator badge, Autovac fuel feed, twin ML Type CG4 magnetos and two spare wheels. The number `340' is visible to the front chassis cross member and a dumb iron inner face, while the steering box is numbered as `337'. Unfortunately the vendor has lost the Bentley's paperwork. However, a new UK V5C Registration Document has been applied for (which will be forwarded to the new owner) and Alan Bodfish of the Bentley Drivers' Club has provided copies of the 3 Litre's factory service record together with a black and white photo depicting it in 1956.

Coming to market for the first time in fifty-five years, this venerable Bentley 3 Litre has the makings of an exciting project and is offered for sale with what the vendor believes to be the support brackets for its original wings.