Details
1929 BENTLEY 4½ LITRE OPEN FOUR SEAT TOURER
COACHWORK BY VANDEN PLAS
Registration No. - Not currently UK registered, was DV 1262
Chassis No. MR3399
Engine No. NX3451
Maroon with brown leather interior.
Engine: four cylinder in line, 4,398cc, 110bhp at 3,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed and reverse, right hand gear change; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs. Right hand drive.
By 1926 the 3 litre Bentley was losing its competitive edge and although the 6½ litre was selling well, the Bentley enthusiast was looking for an improved big four cylinder car. W.O. Bentley set about developing such a model using, where possible, 3 litre and 6½ litre components. The first series of 4½ litres was launched in late 1927 following the success of the prototype car at Le Mans, where it broke the lap record prior to the White House Corner disaster. These early cars used the 10' 10", 3 litre chassis and the engine was a larger version of the 3 litre, using 6½ litre con rods. Eloquent road tests by the motor press of the day established the new 4½ litre as a very special Bentley and with its outright victory at Le Mans in 1928 and subsequent Brooklands competition successes, it soon established itself as the worthy successor to the 3 litre. To many Bentley enthusiasts, the big 4 cylinder, 4½ litre with its familiar 'burbling' exhaust, long-legged gate and whine of the straight cut gears symbolises the very best of W.O. Bentley creations.
This particular Bentley carries the archetypal Vanden Plas open four seat touring coachwork, which is original to the car. The VDP body number is 1556 and it is still clothed in its original red fabric. The car has a delightful history and has had only three family owners from new. It was originally supplied to W.F. Kelly, who subsequently sold it to a Mr. Girod of Uzes in France, from whose family the current owner purchased the car in 1988. It was exhibited in the Museum di Riodo in Moulins de Charlier, France, before being exhibited at the Musee Nationale de l'Automobile of Mulhouse, home of the famous Schlumpf collection in France. The engine is the original to the chassis and the car retains its original Barker headlamp dipping and swivelling system.
A sympathetic restoration was carried out in the hands of the current owner, including removing the coachwork, completely stripping to a bare chassis and re-assembling (carrying out all repairs as necessary) and repainting in the original colour of burgundy. The engine was rebuilt, all the brightwork was re-plated and a new hood was fitted.
Since completion of the work the car has been used on various Continental rallies and has covered over 3,000km across the Alps within the last twelve months. It was also used for the parade lap prior to the 1994 Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, the passengers being Ricardo Patrese and World Champion Michael Schumacher.
Although not currently UK registered, the car is in free circulation in the EEC and therefore it is not subject to any duties if purchased by an EC resident. It was originally registered with the English registration DV 1262, and Christie's would be delighted to assist a successful purchaser in re-applying for this number.
The car comes with a comprehensive file of history and is an extremely unspoilt and highly original W.O. Bentley. A rare item indeed.
COACHWORK BY VANDEN PLAS
Registration No. - Not currently UK registered, was DV 1262
Chassis No. MR3399
Engine No. NX3451
Maroon with brown leather interior.
Engine: four cylinder in line, 4,398cc, 110bhp at 3,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed and reverse, right hand gear change; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs. Right hand drive.
By 1926 the 3 litre Bentley was losing its competitive edge and although the 6½ litre was selling well, the Bentley enthusiast was looking for an improved big four cylinder car. W.O. Bentley set about developing such a model using, where possible, 3 litre and 6½ litre components. The first series of 4½ litres was launched in late 1927 following the success of the prototype car at Le Mans, where it broke the lap record prior to the White House Corner disaster. These early cars used the 10' 10", 3 litre chassis and the engine was a larger version of the 3 litre, using 6½ litre con rods. Eloquent road tests by the motor press of the day established the new 4½ litre as a very special Bentley and with its outright victory at Le Mans in 1928 and subsequent Brooklands competition successes, it soon established itself as the worthy successor to the 3 litre. To many Bentley enthusiasts, the big 4 cylinder, 4½ litre with its familiar 'burbling' exhaust, long-legged gate and whine of the straight cut gears symbolises the very best of W.O. Bentley creations.
This particular Bentley carries the archetypal Vanden Plas open four seat touring coachwork, which is original to the car. The VDP body number is 1556 and it is still clothed in its original red fabric. The car has a delightful history and has had only three family owners from new. It was originally supplied to W.F. Kelly, who subsequently sold it to a Mr. Girod of Uzes in France, from whose family the current owner purchased the car in 1988. It was exhibited in the Museum di Riodo in Moulins de Charlier, France, before being exhibited at the Musee Nationale de l'Automobile of Mulhouse, home of the famous Schlumpf collection in France. The engine is the original to the chassis and the car retains its original Barker headlamp dipping and swivelling system.
A sympathetic restoration was carried out in the hands of the current owner, including removing the coachwork, completely stripping to a bare chassis and re-assembling (carrying out all repairs as necessary) and repainting in the original colour of burgundy. The engine was rebuilt, all the brightwork was re-plated and a new hood was fitted.
Since completion of the work the car has been used on various Continental rallies and has covered over 3,000km across the Alps within the last twelve months. It was also used for the parade lap prior to the 1994 Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, the passengers being Ricardo Patrese and World Champion Michael Schumacher.
Although not currently UK registered, the car is in free circulation in the EEC and therefore it is not subject to any duties if purchased by an EC resident. It was originally registered with the English registration DV 1262, and Christie's would be delighted to assist a successful purchaser in re-applying for this number.
The car comes with a comprehensive file of history and is an extremely unspoilt and highly original W.O. Bentley. A rare item indeed.