Classic Days Schloss Dyck, August 2019.

Found on Bonhams website on April 22, 2019

7 Apr 2019
Chichester, Goodwood
Goodwood Members' Meeting

1924 Bentley 3-Litre 'Simplex' Drophead Coupé
Coachwork by H J Mulliner

Registration no. CF 5654
Chassis no. 747
£ 260,000 - 320,000

~ Original body
~ Known ownership history
~ Restored in the 1980s
~ Engine professionally rebuilt in 2008
~ Ideal for Bentley's 100th Anniversary celebrations in 2019

The following description draws heavily on the typically thorough illustrated report on '747' compiled in February 2019 by renowned marque authority, Dr Clare Hay (perusal recommended). Bonhams would like to extend its thanks to Dr Hay for her assistance.

Chassis number '747' was built in 1924 as a Standard model on the 10' 10" wheelbase, and left the Cricklewood works fitted with engine number '756'. The latter number is stamped to the magneto turret and cam chest, while the crankcase is stamped '726'. Engine number '726' originated in chassis number '714', as did this car's gearbox ('226'), and it seems likely that these components were swapped during the 1930s while both cars were in Ireland. Built by H J Mulliner, one of London's foremost coachbuilders, the drophead coupé body is almost certainly the original, albeit converted from two-seats-plus-dickey to the current arrangement of a close-coupled four-seater with boot (see below).

Retailed via Gaffikin Wilson, one of the major Bentley dealers in London, this 3-Litre was registered (as 'CF 5654') on 1stNovember 1924, its first owner being Francis William Rhodes of Dalham Hall, Newmarket. In 1927 the Service Record lists a new owner - C L Warwick of Hadley Wood Hertfordshire - followed almost immediately by D W MacGregor of Sherborne, Dorset and London. Passing through the hands of two more owners in the early 1930s (Messrs C Ide and J Royds respectively), 'CF 5654' was resold by Bentley Motors to F C Butterworth of Carrickmines, County Dublin, Ireland in August 1933. This 3-Litre's low-geared steering and well-base wheels and tyres are typical of updates carried out by Bentley Motors in the 1930s to cars offered for resale. It seems likely that the aforementioned alterations to the body were carried out at around this time together with converting the windscreen from three panes to a single pane. The last entry in the Service Record lists J E Walsh of Tivoli, Cork as owner in 1935.

There is the usual wartime gap in the Bentley's history, the next owner being Samuel Alexander Wallace in 1952, as recorded in the Suffolk County Archives at Bury St Edmunds. The next owner was J Ellis (1959) and then J M P Ott in the USA (1962). Resident in the United States for several years, the Bentley had returned to the UK by 1980. Offered for sale by Roland Duce, it was next owned by Brian Mather (from 1981) followed by K W Tams (1985), Robert D B Mills (1997), Robert H Brown (2003) and Adam Singer (2009). The current vendor acquired 'CF 5654' some half-a-dozen years ago.

It is understood that the car was restored during the 1980s while owned by the aforementioned K W Tams. Works carried out included a complete engine overhaul, replacing defective body frame woodwork, fitting new aluminium panels as necessary, re-upholstering the seats and door cards, installing new carpets, and a re-spray. Dated 1988, the only related bill in the history file is from S Brunt Ltd of Silverdale, Staffordshire for the engine rebuild.

There are subsequent invoices from Goudhurst Services (October 2002 and February 2003) for servicing work, new hub spinners, starter motor rebuild, etc. Later invoices detail new white metal bearings by Formhalls and the con-rods being crack-tested prior to engine re-assembly by Stuart Fearnside in 2008.

A specification sheet on file from previous owner Robert Mills which was compiled circa 2001 states that the Bentley sported a BM2391 camshaft with the rear bearing modification, B-type four-speed manual gearbox, reconditioned 3.785 (Speed Model) crown wheel and pinion, new 4.5 Litre-type water pump (with the pump drive gear running in an oil bath), negative earth electrics, Kenlowe fan, Smiths five-jet carburettor, modern full flow oil filter conversion, 4 1/2 Litre steering box (very desirable), replacement main thrust bearing, Stage II Perrot shafts and modern oil seals for the half shafts' extremities. Mr Miles completed a 3,500-mile tour of New Zealand with the Bentley Drivers' Club in 1999. Subsequently rallied by the vendor on numerous BDC events in the UK and overseas including the 2014 North America Vintage Bentley Meet, and more recently on the Vintage Sports-Car Club Champagne Rally in 2018.

'747' has been maintained by marque specialist Stuart Fearnside of S F Racing since 2010, and if offered in ready to use condition. One of relatively few Cricklewood Bentleys retaining its original body, 'CF 5654' represents an ideal acquisition with which to enjoy the many celebrations planned for the marque's 100th Anniversary in 2019.

Found on H&H Classics website on June 27, 2018

Not Sold as of July 24, 2018

LOT 40
Tuesday 5th June 2018 at 3pm

1924 Bentley 3 Litre H.J. Mulliner 'Simplex' Drophead Coupe
Registration No: CF 5654 ~ Chassis No: 747
MOT: Exempt
ESTIMATE: £340,000 - £380,000

- Exceptionally elegant four-seater Doctor's Coupe coachwork and sibling to the 1926 Motor Show car

- First owned by F.W. Rhodes Esq of Dalham Hall, Newmarket whose uncle was the British Imperialist, diamond mining magnate and politician Cecil Rhodes

- Restored during the 1980s and sympathetically uprated for long distance touring (4.5 Litre steering box, Speed Model crown wheel and pinion, full flow oil filter etc)

"It was not the means whereby the 3-Litre Bentley performed, but the manner in which it did it, that endeared the car to sportsmen who took pride in their driving. The engine was remarkably flexible, strong and reliable, the gear ratios admirably chosen, the handling excellent and the quality unremittingly high. So, also, was the price, but an ever-growing reputation, augmented by striking racing victories - including the Le Mans 24 hours of 1924 and 1927 - ensured its success" ('Classic Sports Cars' by Cyril Posthumus and David Hodges).

A railway engineering apprentice turned aero engine designer, Walter Owen Bentley previewed his first creation, the immortal 3-Litre, at the October 1919 London Motor Show (though, he would not deem it production ready for another two years). Inspired by a 1914 Humber TT racer, the newcomer's ladder-frame chassis was equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and rear-wheel drum brakes (four-wheel brakes becoming the norm from 1924 onwards). The car's heart and most advanced feature was its 2996cc engine. A long-stroke four-cylinder (80mm x 149mm) that prioritized torque over top-end power, it boasted a five-bearing crankshaft, shaft-driven overhead camshaft, monobloc construction, twin ignition, four valves per cylinder and aluminium pistons.

Developing between 65bhp and 88bhp, the unit was allied to a separate four-speed gate-change gearbox. Supplied in bare chassis guise only, albeit with a choice of wheelbase lengths and engine tune, the 3-Litre remained in production until 1929 by which time some 1,621 are thought to have been made. As well as its two Le Mans victories, the Bentley enjoyed considerable success at Brooklands and even broke the 24-hour world record around Montlhery setting a 95mph average speed.

A real rarity in W.O. Bentley circles, this magnificent 3 Litre model retains its original chassis, engine (or parts thereof), registration number and coachwork. Crafted by H.J. Mulliner, the latter was not only beautifully proportioned but also featured triple-hinged doors, four retractable glass side windows (a real luxury for an open car at the time) and a snug fitting convertible hood. The ease with which its roof could be raised and lowered was purportedly the reason that H.J. Mulliner referred to the 2+2-seater as a 'Simplex Coupe'. Indeed, the London firm was proud enough of the design to exhibit a similarly bodied W.O. Bentley at the 1926 Motor Show.

Road registered by West Suffolk County Council as 'CF 5654' in late 1924, chassis 747 was supplied new via Gaffikin Wilkinson & Co of Dover Street London, W1 to F.W. Rhodes Esq. of Dalham Hall, Newmarket. The 3,475-acre estate had been bought some twenty-three years earlier by the British Imperialist, diamond mining magnate and politician Cecil Rhodes due to its super abundant nye of pheasants. The De Beers founder died before taking up residence but decreed in his will that Dalham Hall should pass to his brothers Colonel Francis Rhodes and Captain Ernest Frederick Rhodes and their male heirs. Having satisfied his uncle's desire that he be in gainful employment and not a 'loafer', F.W. Rhodes Esq was certainly able to afford the very best that money could buy.

According to its accompanying copy factory service record, the Bentley was acquired by C. Warwick Esq. of Walmar, Beech Hill Park, Hadley Wood during 1927. Thereafter, the 3 Litre is known to have passed to D. MacGregor Esq., C. Ide Esq., J. Royds Esq., F.C. Butterworth Esq., J.E. Walsh Esq., J. Ellis Esq., J.M.P. Ott Esq., B. Mather Esq., K.W. Tams Esq., R. Miles Esq., R. Brown Esq. and A. Singer Esq. before entering the current ownership in 2010. At some stage the lid of the dickey seat aperture was reversed to provide a lockable boot and a rear bench added to the main cabin (thankfully these alterations did not involve any structural work or compromise the hood mechanism).

Extensively restored between 1984 and 1988 whilst in Mr Tams' custody, the Bentley had its ash frame and aluminium bodywork refurbished prior to being repainted in Ivory over Black. New Green Connolly leather upholstery was fitted together with matching carpets and the original engine thoroughly overhauled by Brunts of Silverdale (nominal crankshaft regrind, camshaft reprofiled, block bored, fresh pistons and new white metal bearings etc).

A specification sheet on file from then custodian Robert Miles which was compiled circa 2001 declares that the Bentley sported 'a BM2391 camshaft with the rear bearing modification, B-type four-speed manual gearbox, reconditioned 3.785 (Speed Model) crown wheel and pinion, new 4.5 Litre-type water pump (with the pump drive gear running in an oil bath), negative earth electrics, Kenlowe fan, Smiths five-jet carburettor, modern full flow oil filter conversion, 4.5 Litre steering box (very desirable), replacement main thrust bearing, Stage II Perrot shafts and modern oil seals for the half shafts' extremities'. Mr Miles who completed a 3,500-mile tour of New Zealand with the Bentley Drivers' Club aboard 'CF 5654' in 1999 described it as 'quite the most comfortable, practical and charming car I have owned in forty-five years of Vintage motoring'.

Entrusted to Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists Sargeants of Goudhurst for maintenance by Robert Brown, the 3 Litre has since been looked after by Stuart Fearnside on behalf of both Adam Singer and the vendor. Highly respected in W.O. circles, Mr Fearnside spent many years working for renowned marque specialist Stanley Mann before establishing F.S. Racing with Joe Singer (Adam Singer's son). Enjoyed by Mr Singer and the vendor on numerous BDC events in the UK and overseas including the 2014 North America Vintage Bentley Meet, the Drophead Coupe carries both magneto and coil ignition. Listed in the seminal book 'Bentley: The Vintage Years' as: 'Reconditioned for resale Bentley Motors Ltd. Still fitted original body', the 2+2-seater started readily upon inspection. The inner face of the chassis' nearside front dumb iron and front cross member are stamped with '747', the engine carries '756' and '726' stampings (engine number 726 was originally installed in another 3 Litre chassis 714) and the back axle nose piece is reportedly stamped '747'.

One of Britain's foremost coachbuilders, H.J. Mulliner has been ranked alongside Gurney Nutting for the elegance of its designs and deemed second only to Hooper in terms of build quality. Interestingly, another 'Simplex' bodied W.O. Bentley - a 6.5 Litre car (chassis TB2542) - was displayed at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance its 11ft wheelbase being a close match for chassis 747's 10ft 10in one. Said to be in rude mechanical health and highly presentable for a thirty-year old restoration, 'CF 5654' is worthy of close inspection and a real jewel among surviving 3 Litres.

"1924 3 Litre, original Muliner Dr's Coupe body few vintage Bentlys have thier original 1920's body, and she is running on white metal bearings, most vintage Bentleys have been modernized to steel, and has the original Smiths 5 jet carb."

Photographs were taken at the NAVBM 2014

"1924 3 litre Bentley with rare original Muliner Dr's Coupe body"

Scotland, June 2009

Original body. William's Benjafield Vintage Bentley Winter Wolly February 2009.

This photograph is from an advertisement in "BDC Advertiser", March 2008.

This car has been identified as Chassis no. 747 by Olle Ljungström. Olle says, "A typical example of H. J. Mulliner coachwork." — Oct 20, 2008

At the German Rally, 2007.