Beschreibung:

Formerly the property of C.C.Tompkinson and Lt.Col.Berthon. One owner for the last 49 years. 1927 BENTLEY 3 LITRE SPEED MODEL TWO SEATER COACHWORK BY CORSICA Registration No. TD 8966 Chassis No. Originally BL 1604, now DN 1731 (see text) Engine No. BL 1605 Black with black wings, green chassis and black upholstery Engine: four cylinder in line, overhead valves, 2,996cc, 85 bhp at 3,500 rpm; Gearbox: 'D' 'box, four speed manual, No. 1799; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic leaf springs, rear, out-rigged, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drum with hydraulic assistance. Right hand drive. After nearly 40 years of hibernation, this 3 litre Bentley was unearthed by Christie's specialists in October. The car as it stands today represents the continuous history of a late 3 Litre Speed model, chassis number BL 1604. The car was sold originally in April 1927 to a Miss J. Kerr, and fitted with unusual 3 seater 'Cloverleaf' bodywork supplied by Vanden Plas (Body No. 1368). It was not only the bodywork which was specific to this car, but also the additional features of twin side mounted spare wheels and black oxidised screen and accessories. This is all confirmed in written form in Brian Smith's Vanden Plas Coachbuilders book, where it is illustrated and also in Johnnie Green's Fifty Years of the Marque . The completed car was registered new in Lancashire as confirmed by its 'TD' numberplate prefix. It is not known when, but almost certainly no later than the mid-1930s the car was crashed as recorded in Hay's Bentley - The Vintage Years . It was subsequently rebuilt on a shortened standard wheelbase chassis, that of DN 1731, and fitted with the Corsica Two Seater bodywork it still wears today. It is thought that the person who was instrumental in the rebuild was a certain Mr. S.A.M. Bartlett. It then passed to Mr. C.C. Tomkinson in whose hands the car was raced in the late 1930s, its appearances including 1937 at Donington and on the R.A.C. rally in 1939, a photo of which exists today. The tale that has been passed down through time is that Tomkinson was one of three partners who owned the Bentley at this time and that as they went off to war, they agreed that should any not survive the war, the car would become the property of the others. It seems that one of the others was Lt. Col. Berthon, later secretary of the Bentley Drivers Club, who by 1947 had been deeded the car. Sold in 1950 it passed into the present owner's hands in 1956. A thorough inspection of the car today confirms that it retains much proof of the continuity of the entity including the front axle, engine, instrument cluster bearing 'BL 1604' and of course its registration. Of additional intrigue to the tale, is the fact that at some stage in its 1930s rebuild or later it gained the more robust 'D' Type gearbox which was fitted to the first 'Blower Bentley', SM 3901, a car that was scrapped in the late 1930s, while the back axle 'banjo' is from chassis PB 3543 although its nosepiece is in closer parity to the original chassis number being numbered BL 1611. It is also clear that at some stage the block has been skimmed to increase compression ratio and then later toned down with a compression plate. Today, technical detail aside, it is clear that the motivation for all modifications was to build a very effective competition racer. It is certainly uncommon for racing cars from this period to survive in the form in which they were originally configured, and rarely do they retain period coachwork both of which are a result of its near half century of current ownership. With an interesting history and almost certainly more of its pre-war history to be researched, this charismatic Bentley offers an intriguing proposition for any enthusiast of the marque. Included with the car are, 5 smaller diameter wheels, a flywheel, spare block, track rod, various original brake rods, 2 'ML' magnetos and the original brake drums. Christie's is grateful to the W.O. Bentle