Chassis No. TX3245
Engine No. TX3249
Spare Engine No. STX3249
Body No. 1483
The arrival of the 4½ Litre in late 1927 built directly on the foundation of the successful 3-Litre, sharing the bore and stroke of the six-cylinder 6½-Litre while retaining its proven shaft-and-helical camshaft drive. The result balanced performance with the reliability that had become a Bentley hallmark that proved its merit when a 4½-Litre took outright victory at Le Mans in 1928, launching a run of success that extended to Brooklands and beyond. In full racing preparation, a properly sorted example was capable of 120 mph, placing it firmly at the forefront of automotive performance in its day.
Carrying Vanden Plas Job Number 1483, this 4½ Litre chassis was bodied with its racy Grey fabric Sports Tourer body and a Green leather interior, completed on 1 June 1928, as noted by the Vanden Plas Owners Club and in the 1979 Vanden Plas reference book of Brian Smith. Registered with number EC 8322, the car was sold new by Woolleys Ltd. of Windermere, England, to Major Richard Rothwell in July. As documented in Clare Hay's Bentley – The Vintage Years, it remained in the United Kingdom through 1958 and noting four additional owners.
The car remained in England through May 2007, when it was acquired by its current Belgian collection from Neil Davis Historic Racing of Watford, just north of London. While in England under previous ownership, the car was used in Cornwall as part of the German ZDF movie series Rosamunde Pilcher, in the first edition, Stürmische Begegnung, which aired on 30 October 1993 according to IMCDb with the car's body still painted grey as it left the Van den Plas coachwork workshops when new.
Since entering its current collection, the car has seen regular use at prestigious events including the Le Mans Classic in 2008, 2010, and 2016. Used on track, the Bentley continued to battle for victory, just like in 1928 when a 4 ½ Litre claimed overall victory. Additionally, the car was used at the 2008 Gates of the Orient rally in Syria and the 2009 Gateway to Morocco rally. Its sporting prowess is improved by a race-prepared engine, number S - TX3249. The original, matching-numbers engine remains in the current owner's care in Belgium and will be shipped at the seller's expense.
The 4½-Litre Bentley remains one of the preeminent sports car offerings of its era, with this Vanden Plas Sports Tourer continuing to exemplify that through the numerous rallies it has completed. With its original engine providing its subsequent owner the ability to take full advantage of its sporting prowess from the race tuned engine or return it to a more original state, this well-presented example offers nearly limitless opportunities for enjoyment. It is well-suited to continue being welcomed at countless races, events, tours, and rallies across the world, as a truly iconic example of the pre-war British sporting car.
Temporary Import: This lot is in Italy on a temporary import bond, which must be discharged by the Buyer either by directly re-exporting the Lot or by paying the relevant customs duty, import VAT and other applicable fees to permanently import the Lot into Italy or another European Union country as permitted. Any Lot subject to temporary import restrictions cannot be released from Broad Arrow's custody without the completion of these procedures. Customs charges will be assessed based on the Lot's value and according to the circumstances of each sale and may be payable by the Buyer either to Broad Arrow and/or directly to the relevant tax authority.
- Fuel
- Body Types
- Transmission
- Exterior Colour
- Number of doors
- Interior Colour
- VIN CodeTX3245
