"In 2014 Engine 685 was changed against AH1478 with exactly the same specifications like 685, red label."

A Bentley 3 Litre at the Technorama in Hildesheim, September 2015

This car was purchased by Gunter Lach in April 2009.

1923 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model
Sought-after speed-model of the early and still light 3 Litre with her original VDP-open tourer coachwork. Professionally rebuilt by UK-specialist and in very good order concerning her performance and driveability as was the idea of W.O. when introducing this sportscar. This very popular model of the early 1920ies laid the foundation for the immortal reputation of this famous make.

Vehicle History
Production of the 3 Litre started late in 1921 with mostly light cars and tight coachwork.This sports (or speed-) version as of 1923 counted for 1/3 of the total of about 1.600 units. This one was shipped to india in December 1923 with 4-seater OT-coachwork by Van Den Plas as the Bentley-register says concerning the VIN.

Driving Characteristics
The early 70-hp models had a weight of about 1.600 KG. The short chassis alone was 1.160 KG plus a light body like here gives 1.400 dryweight. The 80-plus hp engine made this a ratio of 17 KG/PS which resulted in smashing acceleration and a topspeed of about 80 mph.

Construction Range / Units
The 3 Litre was built from 1921 until 1929 with 1.619 chassis and various bodies, later many heavy/too heavy saloon-cars. The sports or speed-model arrived in 1923 and was built 531 chassis strong mostly with light tourer-coachwork and allways on the 9 ft 9 1/2 in swb-chassis.

Field of Use
A Bentley is a Bentley but a speed model 3 Litre was the supercar of the early 1920ies - and won LeMans in 1924 !! The 3 Litre ist the genuine one and counts high in Bentley-circles.

Technical Specs
The ohc four is a four-valve layout with kingshaft-drive and measures 80 by 149 mm which is 2.996 cc. 2 slopers and a compression-rate of 5,3 : 1 or even higher in the speed-version. Output is 80 plus hp at about 3.000+ RPM.

Driving Impressions
The rebuild included mechanics as well as body and trim. The original features were kept like instruments, steering wheel and windscreen. Concerning her performance you may consider that an open 4 1/2 Litre weights 2.200 KG and her 110 hp gives in the end 20 KG/PS as power/weigt-ratio.

Worth knowing
The author had the privilege to drive them all - up to a 4/8 Litre monster with 350 hp. The finest and best balanced is still the early and light 3 litre speed with 80-plus hp. Happy those who own one - and they will never again part.

The car in the above photographs has been identified as Chassis no. 402, Engine no. 685, Registration no. IJ 6082. It is for sale as of March 6, 2009. Price quoted by Mirbach is € 195,000. — March 09, 2009