French title

Chassis no. 245 Engine no. 247

- In a major collection in Bordeaux since 1962

- Original engine, well-preserved car

- Supplied from the factory with Harrison four-seater bodywork

- No reserve

This car’s provenance and history make it exceptional. It is still fitted with the same style of bodywork as when it left the factory in April 1923, a four-seat tourer produced by the London coachbuilder R. Harrison & Sons. Moreover, it has been part of this collection in Bordeaux since the 1960s, as can be seen from its registration 1188 BC 33 dating from 1962 (replaced in 2012 when it was registered as a historic vehicle). The car appears to have been in France before this date, although we have been unable to verify this. It has therefore been owned by the same family for more than 60 years, which is most unusual!

 

This Bentley 3 Litre was the subject of an older, high-quality restoration and is now in reasonable used condition. The paintwork shows some marks and a few signs of reactions, probably due to the aluminium bodywork. The interior, which was retrimmed at an unknown date, is in decent condition. In 2012, the car was overhauled by the Atelier des Vieilles Bielles at Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc, so that it could be driven again after being laid up for a long time. We were unable to find a chassis plate, but the engine, in lovely condition, is original, with the number 247. The steering box has the number 243.

This model, it may be recalled, became famous when it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, driven by John Duff and Frank Clement. W.O. Bentley, who had a passion for engineering, applied aviation technology to the 3 Litre engine, with an overhead cam driven by a vertical camshaft, four valves per cylinder and dual spark plugs, which were exceptional at the time. With its simple, strong chassis, the Bentley 3 Litre worked wonders both on track and on the open roads of Europe, where it could carry four passengers in complete comfort and safety. For W.O. Bentley, it was a masterstroke, and even though the later models such as the 4½ Litre may have seemed more spectacular, the 3 Litre was the most balanced and consistently successful in competition.

 

The car we are offering is an authentic representative of the breed: with its particularly attractive body and original engine, as well the same ownership for 60 years, it is as rare as it is precious, which enthusiasts will not fail to recognise.

Photos © Romaric Croisile