Lot details
Registration No: DR 1691
Chassis No: BL1607
Mot Expiry: May 2013

"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).

A railway engineering apprentice turned aero engine designer, Walter Owen Bentley previewed his first creation, the immortal 3-Litre, at the October 1919 London Motor Show (though, he would not deem it production ready for another two years). Inspired by a 1914 Humber T.T. racer, the newcomer's ladder-frame chassis was equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and rear-wheel drum brakes (four-wheel brakes becoming the norm from 1924 onwards). The car's heart and most advanced feature was its 2996cc engine. A long-stroke four-cylinder (80mm x 149mm) that prioritized torque over top-end power, it boasted a five-bearing crankshaft, shaft-driven overhead camshaft, monobloc construction, twin ignition, four valves per cylinder and aluminium pistons. Developing between 65bhp and 88bhp, the unit was allied to a separate four-speed gate-change gearbox. Supplied in bare chassis guise only, albeit with a choice of wheelbase lengths and engine tune, the 3-Litre remained in production until 1929 by which time some 1,636 are thought to have been made.

Mindful that his initial offering was among the most expensive cars on the market, W.O. wasted little time in proving its competitive worth. Bolstered by the marque's first victory (achieved at Brooklands during the May 16th 1921 Whitsun meeting), he determined that the 3-Litre should take to the International stage the following year. Outlasting many a purpose-built racer, Douglas Hawkes' streamlined but otherwise comparatively standard Bentley finished the 1922 Indianapolis 500 in 13th place overall (having averaged 74.95mph), while just weeks later the Cricklewood firm fielded a team of three Works cars for the prestigious Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race. Driven by Frank Clement, W.O. Bentley and Douglas Hawkes, the trio took the chequered flag in second, fourth and fifth places respectively; a performance which netted them the Team Prize ahead of formidable factory-entered Sunbeam and Vauxhall opposition.

Justifiably proud of its achievements on the Isle of Man, Bentley not only published a celebratory booklet entitled `The Blue Riband' but also launched a commemorative `T.T. Replica'. Based on the short standard 9ft 9½in wheelbase chassis, the newcomer boasted a high compression engine, close-ratio gearbox and 90mph top speed. Responsible for giving Bentley its first taste of success at Le Mans when Captain John Duff and Frank Clement drove one to fourth place overall during the inaugural 24-hour race on May 26th-27th 1923, the 'T.T. Replica' evolved into the 'Speed Model' that same year. Achieving two outright Le Mans 24-hour victories and some 513 sales, the latter has long been among the most sought after 3 Litre variants.

According to the factory records, this particular Speed Model - chassis number BL1607 - was clothed in a notably elegant two-door, four-seater Tourer body by Vanden Plas and delivered new to the Princess Motor Company of Portsmouth during 1927, for whom it served as a demonstrator until purchased by G Tetley of Avenue Road, London in October of that year. Ex-Works modifications at this stage included an air vent on the gearbox lid and anti-squeal bands on the brake drums. For whatever reason Mr Tetley only kept the car for a matter of months before it passed to none other than the World Land and Water Speed record breaker (Sir) Malcolm Campbell, and it was during his tenure that 'DR 1691' was returned to the factory for the fitment of a 4½ Litre specification steering column. It is believed that Campbell purchased the Bentley for his personal use, as it was in his possession for over a year, by which time the motorcar had covered 16,495 miles. Sir John Jarvis of Godalming, Surrey was the next keeper, who retained it until 1936. The Works history, which is unusually complete, shows only routine servicing was required right up until 1937 when, in fresh ownership, the vehicle was involved in an accident and required front end repair. Ironically, the same fate befell the next keeper, with similar consequences. In all other respects this splendid-looking, 'matching' chassis and engine numbers vehicle appears to have led a remarkably untroubled life and thereby remain highly original.

Commending chassis BL1607 in the July 1945 issue of Motor Sport magazine, Major C.A. Hartridge recalled that the car 'was kept in perfect tune by Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd and had only covered 46,000 miles at the time of purchase'. He also boasted of its ability to do the run from Winchester to Oxford 'in one hour dead late on the night of the Naval Review, 1937'. The vendor purchased the Bentley from marque specialist Stanley Mann in 1982 and has had it maintained by P&A Wood and Jonathan Wood ever since. The Vanden Plas bodied Tourer is finished in its original colours of Black coachwork over Red chassis and comes complete with a hood but no sidescreens and rear-mounted Auster screen (the latter supplied by P&A Wood). A recent independent inspection on the car by marque enthusiast Philip Strickland summarised it as 'an unmolested example that is a collector's delight and which needs only minor work to bring it up to full potential', he also noted it had 'excellent oil pressure (60psi), a smooth ride and no apparent vices'. H&H concurs and quite simply rates 'DR 1691' as one of the most appealing 3 Litres we have ever encountered.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until May 2013.