Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th of October , 2024 13:00
1925 Bentley 3-Litre Dual Cowl Tourer
Original coachwork by J. Gurney Nutting
Estimate
£140, 000 - £160, 000
Registration No: GD 4233
Chassis No: 1171
MOT: Exempt
One of just twenty-four Bentley 3-Litre cars known to have survived with its original J. Gurney Nutting coachwork
Matching chassis, bonnet, steering box and rear axle
Fitted with a period 3-Litre power unit from a Speed model
Now presenting with gorgeous patination after an extensive restoration in the 1970s and well maintained since
A wonderful and imposing Vintage Bentley
"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 TT 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, 621 are thought to have been made. As well as its two Le Mans victories, the Bentley enjoyed considerable success at Brooklands and even broke the 24-hour world record around Montlhery setting a 95mph average speed.
According to the Dr Clare Hay book, 'Bentley - The Vintage Years', chassis 1171 was built during October 1925 and was first registered as 'GD 4233', with 'GD' being a Glasgow area marker. A long chassis car that was bodied by J. Gurney Nutting in Dual Cowl Tourer style, 1171 reputedly was first delivered to a Mr J. D Cousin of Kinachoile, Dunblane before being being sold to a Mr Peter Sinclair of Alloa, Clackmannanshire within a few years. Sinclair would then transfer custodianship to another Scotsman, Mr Frederick Shanks, the Grandson of Alexander Shanks who had founded in A. Shanks & Son Iron Works in 1840 and were famed for their steam engines initially, then later would move on to internal combustion engines for agricultural and marine uses. By the time that Fred took delivery of 1171 the company were well known for their Rajah & Triumph lawnmowers and two of their best known customers were the St Andrews Golf Course and having tested their 42” cutting machine at the Royal Estate of Balmoral, Queen Victoria had also become one of their first customers.
Post World War II, there is some speculation about the 3 Litre's ownership, however 1171 is known to have been owned by an A Peduzzi. Perhaps it was possible that this was the Anna Maria Peduzzi or "La Marocchina" (The Moroccan Girl) who was the first lady to race for Scuderia Ferrari and had a motorsport career from the 1930's through to the 1950's who had settled in Paris during the War to escape fascism? Regardless, the next chapter in 1171's history is by the 1960's, the elegant Bentley had lost its original 3-Litre, W. O designed engine unit and was fitted with a moderately more economical Ford Diesel engine. Thankfully, this was short lived, and by the 1970's the Bentley was acquired by Liverpool businessman, Matthew Wright. Pictured with the car in a newspaper clipping (believed to be the Liverpool Echo) supplied with the history file, Mr Wright reported that he'd spent 18 months restoring 1171 and was using her to drive to work each morning. It is believed that at this time, the Ford Diesel engine was removed and a replacement 3-Litre power unit was fitted numbered LM1336 - the unit originally supplied fitted to chassis LM1338 which was a Speed Model car from July 1926. Thankfully, Mr Wright decided to retain the original Gurney Nutting coachwork, and at this time had the Bentley painted in Black with Red Wheels and a Red Leather interior which it still retains today, making this a very rare survivor when compared with the plethora of Le Mans style bodied cars.
Having acquired 1171 in 2015, the vendor had fulfilled a dream to own a Vintage Bentley, and the car is stabled with a tasteful array of pre-war and post-war classics that are each as significant as the Bentley. On inspection, 1171 was found to present as an incredibly tidy machine given the age of the restoration, and the vendor has advised that the bodywork is 'very good' although moderately 'patinated in a delightful way' with a Red Leather interior that is also described as 'very good'. 1171 was found to have a matching rear axle (1171), steering box (1176), bonnet cowling (1171) and magneto plate (1171) numbers atesting to her originality. As forementioned, the engine is a correct 3-Litre unit originally from a speed model, but is fitted with a correct updraft SU Caburettor and was found to be still running on a pair of magnetos. The vendor has used the tourer sparingly, but often, for regular trips and has stayed on top of maintenance, living next to another well known life-long Vintage Bentley owner who has helped in this department. According to a note in the history file, the engine's bottom end was rebuilt by ex-Jaguar Works Team Mechanic, Murray Jamieson in Edinburgh some time ago. As a result of the car having been constantly given attention, it was noted that during our visit the 3-Litre drove very well, with the engine starting without hesitation. The owner is 'confident' of the Bentley's abilities mechanically, and is due to drive it from Suffolk to the Duxford Imperial War Museum for the auction.
In all, 1171 is a rare example of an original long chassis car and will provide an immense amount of enjoyment for any prospective vintage Bentley owner. Attractively priced to provide an opportunity to purchase an entry-level open tourer Bentley, it will also provide much enjoyment reading through the large history file dating back to the 1970's which includes a photographic record of the restoration. 1171 will also come supplied with full weather equipment, including a full length tonneau cover and an Auster type foldaway rear windscreen.
