Lot details
Registration No: CX 6596
Chassis No: 530
Mot Expiry: Jan 2010

"Recipe: take a good 3-litre Red Label Bentley chassis, mix in a good 4½-litre engine, gearbox and transmission and add a light body with accessories to taste. The result is a motor car which, while still retaining a good vintage flavour, possesses a performance equaled by few other machines even of the most modern and expensive type" (Captain J.G. Fry, The Autocar May 14th 1943).

Road registered as `DLR 8', Captain Fry's 3 / 4½ was one of several constructed by H.M. Bentley & Partners during the late 1930s. Brother to marque founder W.O., H.M. did much to keep the Vintage Bentley spirit alive and was among the first to re-body tired or otherwise worn 3-litre and 4½-litre cars. The idea of combining the best elements from both designs - to create what The Autocar termed `a hybrid old-type Bentley' - must have seemed logical; furthermore it even had some precedent in the Cricklewood firm's back catalogue. Built to special order, 9 of the 665 4½-litre cars produced utilised the same 9-foot 9½-inch wheelbase as the 3-litre Red Label / Speed model. Though, wonderfully swift and agile these `short chassis' cars (or `shorties') proved somewhat prone to stress cracks and frame distortion if asked to carry any but the lightest coachwork.

Rather more concerned with performance than luxury, Captain Fry had `DLR 8' optomised by Robin Jackson before using it to compete in the 1937 Brooklands Relay Race and Stanley Cup meeting at Donington Park etc. Though, he also found the Bentley made a handy tow vehicle when transporting his fearsome Freikaiserwagen hillclimb special to various courses around the country! Something of a template for its post-WW2 successors, the H.M. Bentley 3 / 4½ featured cord-bound (and hence stiffer) leaf springs, more durable brake linings and minimalist bodywork. The tuning potential of W.O.'s 4398cc SOHC four-cylinder engine has long been established and most of the `hybrid old-type Bentleys' assembled for serious competition work are equipped with the D-type gearbox; a popular choice due to its durability and (comparative) user friendliness.

Beginning life as a Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model with coachwork by Vanden Plas, this particular example - registration number `CX 6596' - was supplied new to Major H. Murray-Marshall in July 1924. Thereafter, it is understood to have passed through the hands of F.E. Wassell (1927-1931), M. Thompson (1931-1954), W.H. Good (1954-1973) and N.S. Baker before being acquired by John May. Eager to have a steed for competitive tours and race meetings, May commissioned renowned Bentley engineer and restorer John Guppy to transform `CX 6596' into its current configuration. Retaining what are believed to be its original chassis and front / rear axles (though, potential purchasers are welcome to reassure themselves on this point), the car was fitted with a new but correct-type 4½ -litre engine and D-type gearbox. Suitably uprated, the powerplant is said to play host to a Phoenix counterbalanced crankshaft, Phoenix rods / rockers and Arias pistons etc plus a modern Borg & Beck clutch. Benefiting from a shortened radiator shell and lowered bulkhead, the replacement four-seater coachwork is commendably light. Ignition is provided by dual Bosch FU4B magnetos and the twin SU carburetors sup from a mini `Le Mans' style fuel tank.

A potent machine, we are informed that `CX 6596' took third place in the outright classification for plateau one (1923-1939) at the inaugural Le Mans Classic event held during 2002. The first vintage car home it was only beaten by Paul Grist's Alfa Romeo 8C and Gareth Burnett's Talbot 105. Owned by Clive Woolley at the time, the 3 / 4½ was later loaned to His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent for use on the 1995 Mille Miglia Storica (see photos). While last year saw it return to La Sarthe for the 2008 Le Mans Classic during which it helped to secure a team prize. As well as these overseas jaunts, the Bentley has participated in a good number of VSCC and BDC meetings. FIVA registered in 2003 and retaining a set of old style FIA papers, it has been fettled by Neil Davies Historic Racing and more recently FS Racing Ltd. Reportedly great fun to drive and eligible for a host of prestigious events, this well executed 3 / 4½ is worthy of close inspection.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until January 2010.