Beschreibung:

4,398cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine - 4 Overhead Valves Per Cylinder 110bhp at 3,500rpm 4-Speed 'D' Gearbox (see text) Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension Four-Wheel Drum Brakes with Servo Assist. *Originally owned by A.W. Whyte of the Whyte & Mackay Whisky dynasty *Owned by noted Bentley aficionado Van Schaick for more than 30 years *Veteran of Bentley and other Road Tours *Fantastic car for international motoring events THE BENTLEY 4½-LITER W.O. Bentley proudly debuted the new 3-liter car bearing his name on Stand 126 at the 1919 London Olympia Motor Exhibition. The prototype engine had only been fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. In only mildly developed form, this was the model that was to become a legend in motor racing history and which, with its leather-strapped bonnet, classical radiator design and British Racing Green livery has become the archetypal vintage sports car. Early success in the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, when Bentleys finished second, fourth and fifth to take the Team Prize, led to the introduction of the TT Replica (later known as the Speed Model). However, by the middle of the decade the 3-Liter's competitiveness was on the wane and this, together with the fact that too many customers had been tempted to fit unsuitably heavy coachwork to the excellent 3-Liter chassis rather than accept the expense of Bentley's 6½-Liter 'Silent Six', led to the introduction of the '4½'. The new 4½-Liter model effectively employed the chassis, transmission, brakes, and base engine of the 3-Liter, but with an increased 100x140mm bore and stroke. The 4 valves per cylinder, 5 main bearing crankshaft, and dual ignition of the 3-Liter were retained. The new model also retained that "bloody thump", as noted Bentley owner Walter Foden referred to it, a characteristic that enables one to clearly identify a 4 cylinder Bentley from many miles away. Bentley Motors wasted no time in proving the new car in competition, entering the car in the 1927 Le Mans. The original 4½-Liter car, nicknamed by the team 'Old Mother Gun' and driven by Frank Clement and Leslie Callingham, promptly set the fastest race lap of 73.41mph before being eliminated in the infamous 'White House Crash' pile-up. A 4½ subsequently won the 1928 event. The 4½-Liter was produced for four years with all but nine of the 665 cars made being built on the 'Long Standard', 130"-wheelbase chassis. Purchasers of the 4½-Liter model were, in common with those of all vintage-period Bentleys, free to specify their preferences from a very considerable range of mechanical and electrical equipment, in addition to whatever body style and coach-builder might be required. The most iconic of course were the cars fitted with tourer bodies by Vanden Plas. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED A fabulous looking sporting vintage Bentley which encapsulates the Le Mans spirit so associated with the marque, PL 3496 was actively campaigned by noted enthusiast David L. Van Shaick for more than 30 years until his untimely passing just last summer. As is so often the case, the Bentley when new was delivered with more formal closed coachwork. Copies of the factory records on file denote it to have worn 'British Flexible Saloon' coachwork, by one of the better-known coachbuilder for Cricklewood Bentleys, Harrison and Co. for H. M. Bentley and Partners, the company run by 'W.O.'s brother. H.M. Bentley and Partners sold it to A.W. Whyte of Ayrshire in Scotland, Whyte being part of the famed Whyte & Mackay whisky dynasty. There it would reside at Mr. Whyte's home Tudor House in Skelmorlie, which when listed for sale in recent years was described as 'an opulent home' set overlooking the banks of the Firth of Clyde. It was registered for the road in July 1929 as "AG 4554", the AG prefix signifying that region. Skelmorlie being more than 400 miles from Cricklewood, it is perhaps not surprising that the car rarely returned to the factory for its upkeep, but occasional notes are on the factory