This car is presently owned by Rob Girsberger.

GP Furttal 2013

Bentley 3 Litre Red Label Bobtail Chassis 91 Reg No XL 3595
Mileage: Contact
Year: 1922
Date Added: 18 October 2012
Location: Derbyshire

One of the oldest Bentleys in existence. A stunningly original, rare Bobtail with early racing history and registered with the Bentley Drivers Club since 1935. Superb and interesting history and a joy to drive.

£POA.

Sold: 2012

1922 Bentley 3.0 Litre short chassis.

Chassis number 91
Registration number XL3595
Price: £145,000

Chassis 91 Registration XL3595 was first sold to J E Scott, Ph.D., STD, a British gentleman and Reverend mainly living in India. Chairman of the Famine Relief Committee and member of many other charities, he was the author of ‘In Famine Land’ which started out as a report for the benevolent many throughout the world, to explain how the hundreds of thousands of Dollars were spent to relieve the suffering of the great continent of India after the Famine of 1899-1900.

1925
Chassis 91 returned to England for a complete engine overhaul and was upgraded with all the latest modifications, shock absorbers and front brakes, most probably included as part of the then 5 year guarantee which went with every Bentley.

We believe the car stayed in the UK with J E Scott’s younger brother Lindsay M Scott who used the car until:

1933
when she changed hands to a yet unknown, then was registered in:

1935
by WGS Wike in the name of GE & W Wike Ltd of Chesham Mills in Bury, Lancs.

1936
H Blackburn of The Poplars, Stuart Rd, Ribbleton, Preston Lancs registered the car with the Bentley Drivers Club

1940
Louis G Holland of Hatfield is registered as owner by the Bentley Drivers Club

1948
J B Knight is registered as owner by the Bentley Drivers Club

Between 1948 and 2000 the information we have is unconfirmed, so we will update this area as the information becomes available. It is clear this is the period the engine crankcase was changed from the original 93 to the now 617

2000
A comprehensive ground-up rebuild took place, engine, chassis, body, clutch, gearbox, axle, exhaust, fuel, brakes, mags, radiator and lights.

2007
The owner completely dismantled the engine and checked all the tolerances, re-fabricated several bushes to Bentley drawing spec, reassembled the car and has been using her for the past 3 years both locally in the UK and in France. She runs very well, and is easy to start and drive. In 2008 she drove at Le Mans, Le Castalet, Le Grand Sambuc and Le Luc, through the French/Swiss Alps. She has also followed the London-Brighton Vintage rally 2008 and 2009 - in ridiculous rain. This year an inspection was made of the big ends, mains, oil pump etc and all were found to be showing surprisingly little wear. The brake and clutch linings are like new, the chassis and body tight like new, all free of rattles or wear, and good for the years ahead.

The car is very sporting with its light fabric body & twin sloper carburettors which give plenty of urge. It is in understandably superb condition & ready for its next chapter in life.

This car is for sale as of April 9, 2012.

Bentley Bobtail
Dolly was built 1922, 88 years ago!
Chassis 91; Registration No XL3595; Engine No 617

Easy starter, great to drive day and night, all tight and fresh, wonderful fun to own, she makes most other cars seem dull!

This car is for sale as of September 11, 2010

London to Brighton Car Run, November 2009

This car was purchased by Robert Smith in 2007.

"I have some early history (1922-1947), and that could be sketchy, then a gap, a little more around the 60s and my short time.

I keep the car Nr Sudbury in Suffolk, and have just got it MOT'd and now use it often — it's great fun although a little smokey. I will be taking the car to the 'bonnets-up" in Ufford, Woodbridge next month...

I am now looking for a derelict 8L Bentley AND a Le France or Italia."

1922 Bentley 3 litre SWB two seater in the United Kingdom.

Robert Smith has identified the car in above photograph as being his Chassis no. 91. — Apr 21, 2009

Car was being offered for sale in July 2007 by Veteran & Vintage Cars as a "bitsa" car. Apparently "vestiges of chassis were included in sale", but the car is now built on a new chassis for safety/practical reasons. It includes parts of Chassis No. 91, parts of Engine No. 93 and crankcase 617.

Car originally went out to India, but was back by 1925 to factory for front brakes. Scottish owners for the first years. Owners traceable to 1935 or so, then to 1940's to early 1950 or so. Then to more modern times 1980 or so.

All there, B box, self wrapping brakes as per 4.5 ltrs. Previous owner had it about 95% restored. Needs brakes balancing, steering to-in castor, etc. checking, engine tuning. The engine was running before insertion of higher capacity oil gearing, discreet oil filtration system and the fitting of very early SU Slopers. Mags rebuilt and needing to be timed to engine. Spares and small history file.