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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  19 Jun 2016 ~ 3pm
• Lot #:
  41
• Lot Description:
  1924 BENTLEY 3-LITRE VANDEN PLAS 'LE MAN' STYLE TOURER
  Chassis No: 465; Engine No: AP325; This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Provenance:
  From the Estate of the Late John Calvert
• Notes:
  The WO Bentley story began in October 1919 in an upstairs workshop in the New Street Mews, London. Without exhaust or silencer, the first engine was tested but not before an irate matron complained to the deference to a dying patient and the experiment was terminate. But, the engine had run, an experiment had succeeded and a legend was born. The engine was then lowered through a hole in the floor to the service station below. And so, the fabulous WO Bentley began to fascinate upwardly mobile sporting drivers, gentrified society and well-healed aristocrats with a need for speed. The design of Bentley's first chassis was based on a 1914 Humber and much of the machining was 'put out' to workshops for the parts to build the cars. By the time the 3-litre Bentley entered production in the summer of 1921, the chassis design had standardised to 117.5in or in Bentley literature the length is determined as 9ft 9in. The ladder frame design consisted of 2 strong steel side-members braced by 4 substantial cross-members and tubular tie rods front and rear. All the frame components were made from 9 gauge steel assembled at the Mechans factory, in Glascow. But, by 1923 the drift towards 4-seaters grew and the chassis was lengthened to 10ft 10in to accommodate larger touring bodies. The Bentley guarantee now allowed for much heavier bodies and 1922 also saw changes to the camshaft and carburation in the 3-litre engine to compensate for the extra weight. By 1924, the all-necessary 4-wheel brakes were introduced. And then in 1924, further changes were made to the engine including 6-bolt cam covers rather than 4-bolt and the employment of a direct drive to the dynamo which had previously been driven off the back of the camshaft. For more power the beautiful twin SU G5 'sloper' carburettors were fitted for the 1925 season. Continual upgrades and hot-rodding was carried out for WO Bentley's existing clientele as the improvements to speed and performance became available. The 1924 Bentley 3-litre Vanden Plas 'Le Mans' Style Tourer presented was built between 1994 and 1999 for Mr. Geoff Venn by Rod Warrener and the engine was assembled by Jim Duncan during the 1980's. It consists of a genuine 1924 3-litre engine, number AP325, and a new 9ft 9 ?in chassis made by Julian Ghosh. According to Mr. Geoff Venn, the crankshaft is a counterbalanced Allen as are the connecting rods with the motor running high compression pistons at 7.5:1. It is aspirated by twin SU sloper carburettors and is fuelled by an auto-vacuum system as well as a hand pump in the Le Mans style. Neville Webb of Queensland manufactured the front axle stamped with the chassis number 465 taken from the original magneto switch plate located on the dash. (ref. Clare Hay: Vintage Years Book. Third Edition. pp1070). The original radiator was found at Michalago Station near Canberra owned by the Ryrie family. The four-speed gearbox is a 'B' model with 'C' ratios and has recently had minor adjustments made by Simon Elliott of Derby Works. The Smiths gauges are of the period including a handsome rim-wound dash clock. The steering box is numbered 598 indicating it as genuine Bentley. The rear axle and differential are also original. The Vanden Plas 'Le Mans' Style body featuring blade wings and a large Le Mans fuel tank was built by former TAFE instructor, Tom Peach. The mahogany tool kits have been replicated in the style of the day and can be removed from the running boards. A period Klaxton horn rounds off the authentic period finishes. In 2013, the Bentley was bought by the late John Calvert about 2 years prior to his death from Mr. Lewis Luxton who bought it directly from Mr. Geoff Venn. It has remained garaged and un-driven throughout this time. Beautifully built with the involvement of leading Bentley artisans this car offers all the pleasures associated with a vintage sports car of this quality and pedigree. It also provides an opportunity to be involved in the active Bentley Drivers' Club of Australia. The chance to acquire such a car is seldom seen at auction in this country.
• Estimate:
  A$270,000 - 300,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.