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2 of 48 lots
Lot 2
1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model Sports Tourer
Estimate:
£225,000 - £300,000
Starting bid:
£25
Sold for
£235,000
Live Auction
London Auction 2023
Description
Alexander Grant, London, UK (acquired new via Gaffikin Wilkinson & Co. Ltd. in 1927)
Wesley Albert Rowell, Isle of Man, UK (acquired in 1928)
Peter Charles Murray, Isle of Man, UK (acquired from the above in 1981)
Current Owner (acquired from the above in 1988)

Coachwork by Vanden Plas

Without Reserve

Chassis: AX1673
Engine: ML1506

A Wonderfully Original, Well-Documented Example of the First Vintage Bentley
Desirable “Red Label” Speed Model with Definitive Vanden Plas Sports Body
Retained by Its Second Owner from 1928 to 1981; Just Four Owners from New
Retains Original Chassis, Engine, and Coachwork per Accompanying Factory Records
Offered with Original UK Logbook and Extensive Documentation File

2,996 CC SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU “Sloper” Carburetors
85 HP at 3,500 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
Front Solid Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Friction Shock Absorbers
Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Friction Shock Absorbers

*
UK V5
See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.


The foundation of one of the all-time great marques, the 3 Litre was the first automobile built by W.O. Bentley. Unveiled in chassis form at the 1919 Olympia Motor Show, the 3 Litre featured an advanced inline four-cylinder engine with hemispherical combustion chambers, twin-plug ignition, and an overhead camshaft operating four valves per cylinder. Built from 1921–1929, the 3 Litre was offered in various states of tune, the most famous being the high-performance “Red Label” Speed Models and “Green Label” Super Sports.

This charming 3 Litre, chassis AX1673, is a genuine “Red Label” Speed Model, which benefits from myriad improvements introduced throughout the production run including a more highly developed engine, with a large oil sump and twin “sloper” carburetors. Upon completion, this chassis was sent to Vanden Plas to be fitted with their popular four-seater Sports body style, with full-length valanced wings, rear-mounted spare, and three-piece windscreen. This body, no. 1329, was originally finished with scratched alloy panels and maroon wings.

In April 1927, the new 3 Litre was sold, via Mayfair-based dealer Gaffikin Wilkinson & Co. Ltd., to its first owner, Alexander Grant, whose address is recorded as 1 Queen Victoria Street – the Bank of New Zealand building in Central London. First registered as “KO1656,” the Bentley remained in the hands of its original caretaker for about a year before being sold to Wesley Albert Rowell. Early in his decades-long ownership, Mr. Rowell used the Bentley regularly, even driving it from his Isle of Man home to Switzerland on holiday. Bentley’s service record for AX1673 continues through 1939, noting only minor work carried out, with no mention of replaced components or accident repairs. After WWII, Mr. Rowell continued to enjoy the 3 Litre and often participated in Bentley Drivers Club events, as evidenced by his article, “Six Hundred Merry Miles,” published in the June 1953 BDC Review.

Remarkably, AX1673 remained in Mr. Rowell’s ownership until 1981, when it was sold to Peter Charles Murray’s Motorcycle Museum. The current owner acquired the 3 Litre from Mr. Murray in 1988 and it has remained in his care ever since. Today, the Bentley remains in wonderfully original order, having apparently never been subject to comprehensive restoration work or significant alterations.

Despite its century-old design, the 3 Litre Bentley possesses a timeless appeal. It remains the quintessential British sports car of the 1920s, and the embodiment of W.O. Bentley’s original vision. AX1673 is the definitive 3 Litre Bentley – the classical ideal of a Red Label Speed Model wearing Vanden Plas Sports bodywork. Its remarkable history is extremely well documented, thanks to a trove of paperwork, including the original UK logbook, copy of the Bentley Motors service record, and invoices dating back to the 1920s. In all respects, this 3 Litre possesses the most desirable qualities sought in a Vintage Bentley, and its appearance at auction represents an opportunity not to be missed.

*Please note that this vehicle has been in long-term static storage and thus may require some mechanical attention prior to regular road use.