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1929 Bentley 4½ Litre    
Original 1929 Numbers
Chassis No. UK3299
Engine No. UK3294
Registration No. GE 3769

  This car - updated
Chassis No. UK3299
Engine No. KL3585
Registration No. GE 3769

(Updated with information from Classic Driver. - January 2019)
 
January 2019
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Found on Classic Driver website on January 10, 2019

1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre - Supercharged
Chassis number: UK3299
Engine number: KL3585
Price: Price on Request

The most famous and glamorous Vintage Bentley is, of course, the Birkin Blower.

By 1929 the standard Bentley 4.5 litre was beginning to look dated. Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin, one of the "Bentley Boys" and a factory Le Mans Team driver, was convinced that more speed could be attained by supercharging the standard 4.5 Litre car. He asked Amherst Villiers the highly acclaimed auto and aero engineer who had designed Malcolm Campbell's Land Speed Record Car, Bluebird, and the famous Vauxhall Supercharged Special, to come up with an appropriate design for the Bentley 4.5 Litre. The designed he produced boosted the power output from about 110BHP to a remarkable 175BHP. Despite W.O. Bentley's doubts about supercharging his 4.5 Litre design (he preferred increasing the capacity of the engine to achieve more power) the supercharged model became available late in 1929 using the "heavy crank" engine that had been introduced in the later 4.5 Litre cars. To qualify for Le Mans a production run of 50 cars was produced. As always the buyer could specify their coachwork as a tourer, saloon, DHC, or whatever.

In addition to the standard blowers there were 5 "Birkin Blowers". These are the cars that most enthusiasts have in mind to when they refer to a "blower". They were partly produced in Birkin's workshop with factory input. An original Birkin blower is, of course, unattainable for most enthusiasts. Of the five produced 4 have survived (one was almost totally destroyed in a fire) and are held in some of the World's most important collections. Indeed one car is in the present day Bentley Motors collection.

UK 3299 started life as and Open Tourer by Vanden Plas. It has a full history, and has been restored to the highest standards to full "Birkin Blower" specification. With the full "bullet proof" treatment to the engine--Phoenix crank and rods/rockers, it has been built to the very highest standards and capable of sustained high speeds on International rallies.

This car is for sale as of January 10, 2019

 
     
     
  Source: Classic Driver
Posted: Jan 10, 2019
 
     
September 2017
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Found on STANLEY MANN RACING website on September 9, 2017

1929 4.5 Blower Bentley
A 1929 4.5 Litre Bentley to full Birkin Blower specification, with correct attention to detail. From the collection of a very long standing vintage Bentley devotee who has toured the world in these wonderful machines. Engine built to the highest specification, plus a complete overhaul to gearbox and differential. Remarkably nimble handling and performance with braking to match makes this Blower an ideal candidate for touring and sheer enjoyment.

All mantainance has been carried out regardless of cost (offered here for sale before wife discovers that cost)

This car is for sale as of September 9, 2017

 
     
     
  Source: Stanley Mann Racing
Posted: Sep 09, 2017
 
     
June 2011
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The following advertisement text by Stanley Mann was found on the Stanley Mann Racing website on Jun 25, 2011:

"1929 Bentley 4½ Litre VDP Tourer SOLD
Registration Number: GE 3769 ~ Chassis Number: UK3299 ~ Engine Number: KL3585

This is as good as it gets.

Leaving the factory in 1929 she makes her way north and is shown at the Scottish Motor Show that year and looking much as she does today.

She would be a matching numbered car except when owned in 1949 by Dr.J.P Hopwell, he put in a 1930 4½ litre engine from his other 4½ litre Bentley. (Nice to have two bentleys - then probably cost him £50 each).

Having looked over her, she has all her original matching numbered components with, as stated, the engine from a slightly later car but still retaining those very sexy sloper carburettors.

The original body was removed sometime in the 30s and then a rather sporty body from an Alvis was fitted.

This was removed in the 60s and the present VDP body by Robinson fitted.

Robinson bodies are very accurate copies of the original VDP bodies.

It becomes very interesting to find that 90% of the original trim is in this bentley.

Mechanically she is very good condition and drives really well."

SOLD sign found on Stanley Mann's website on Jun 25, 2011. We cannot be sure when this car actually sold. - VintageBentleys.org

 
     
     
  Source: Stanley Mann Racing
Posted: Jun 28, 2011
 
     
2010
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  Source: Car and Classic
Posted: Oct 28, 2010
 
     
2006
In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member
EARLIEST RECORD OF HISTORICAL FACTS & INFORMATION
 
Chassis No. UK3299
Engine No. UK3294
Registration No. GE 3769
Date of Delivery: Jan 1929
Type of Body: 4-seater
Coachbuilder: Vanden Plas
Type of Car: No info
   
First Owner: KILBURN DRYSDALE E
 
     
  More Info: According to original Vanden Plas Coachbuilder records, this car was originally fitted with Body No. 1529 with a Sports 4-seater; cream fabric/green and cream; 10/1928.

Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: "Vanden Plas body no. 1529. Scottish Show car. 2 seater ex 12/60 Alvis - now Robinson 4 seater Engine swopped with ch. KL 3585, eng KL 3585."
 
     
     
  Updated: Jul 05, 2007
Posted: Mar 01, 2007
 
     
 
 
 
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photograph received from Simon Hunt for Chassis No. RL3439
Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Dick Clay for Chassis No. 147
Sep 29, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Ernst Jan Krudop for his Chassis No. AX1651
Sep 28, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Lars Hedborg for his Chassis No. KL3590
Sep 25, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. XV 3207
Sep 24, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. YM 7165
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