Found on NDR Limited website on March 15, 2018

1931 Bentley Speed Six Le Mans Rep.
A tremendous touring vintage Bentley with an original Speed Six engine.

By 1931 with W.O. Bentley no longer in charge of his own destiny, it was the accountants who were making decisions regarding the Bentley motor car. In 1931 they thought it a prudent measure to buy in a smaller engine from an outside manufacturer. Contrary to myth the 4 Litre engine, sourced from the great engineer Sir Harry Ricardo, was a powerful unit but the accountants had not calculated power to weight ratio and this engine, as good as it was,was no match for the hugely-well engineered 8 Litre chassis, the finest in is class.

Enter a figure who was to become known as the high priest of vintage Bentleys Lewis Mac Mckenzie. Mac was on to this disparity between engine and chassis and within a year of production of the 4 Litre he was removing these engines and replacing them with the 6½ Litre and the 8 Litre engine which were perfect for the purpose and this recipe of reuniting Bentley engine with chassis was established at his premises in London SW1 behind Victoria Station.

As noted on the works service record on file chassis number VA4097, fitted with a saloon body by HJ Mulliner, weighed in at 2 tons and 2 cwt and was of the more sporting 11ft.2 wheelbase. Surviving, surprisingly, with this combination through continuous and recorded ownership the deteriorated body was removed upon the purchase of a correct and original Speed Six engine, with this work entrusted to marque specialist Elmdown Engineering. With more recent work carried out by NDR this vintage Bentley is now the perfect combination. The superb original chassis of sporting dimensions with the favoured Le Mans style coachwork matched to an original Speed Six engine and a 3:1 rear axle makes this vintage Bentley an appealing entrant for events anywhere in the world with its combination of unstressed smoothness, power and charismatic good looks. Real Bentley stuff.

This car is for sale as of March 15, 2018

Sold: Feb 22, 2016

1931 4/Speed Six Bentley
"Chassis no. VA4097. With fantastic provenance, a fast 2-seater and practical tourer. Must be driven to be appreciated. At a very reasonable price."

This car is owned by Peter Godehardt.

This car was purchased by Peter Godehardt in 2007 and is currently owned by him. The Registration no. at the time was GY 184.

Says Peter, "I bought this car from John Northcott."

1930 Bentley 4-6 1/2 Litre

"Property of present mature owner over 20 years who commissioned prominent W. O. Bentley Specialist the "late" Tony Townsend to undertake a complete chassis up rebuild over a six year period which included Corsica body by Ashton Keyes Coachbuilders. Only 50 4 litre chassis built 11 ft. 2 in., a smaller version of the 8 litre, being of superior construction and ride. A 6 1/2 litre differential and "F" type gearbox in place being "Ex works". One of the last large sump Speed Six engines fitted, including several "user friendly" modifications, having covered 8000 miles since. The concept represents the best of everything W. O. A beautiful and elegant car, the only one in existence, a true Pebble Beach contender."


1. Chassis No.
VA4097 - 11'2" standard and unmolested road springs re-built and uprated to suit heavier engine unit.

2. Gear Box
'F' Type (same as 8 litre). Massive and unbreakable as fitted by factory in 1931. Stripped and all bearings replaced.

3. Clutch
Plate type standard as fitted to and original to this speed 6 engine.

4. Engine
No. LR2780 a proper large sump speed 6 rare, the same dimensions as an 8 litre totally rebuilt including original HG5 carbs with mag/distribus - to former spec i.e. no Phoenix crank or rods or shell bearings - not to be confused with an uprated 6½ Litre.

5. Back axle
6½ Litre - as fitted standard in 1931 but rebuilt and uprated to 3:1 final drive ratio.

6. Aluminium Ash Frame
Somewhat copied from Stanley Sedgewick's 8L. The body lines were improved on Stanley's by Ashton Keynes Coach Builders, still going and situated at Swindon in Wiltshire. Dicky type 2 neats fold away to rear of driver, still leaving moderate luggage space (Corsica type).

7. Trim etc
Red Leather Trim including Wilton carpets.

8. Instruments
Former 4L dash instruments and 2 large Jaegers. Speedo and rev counter on mahogany dashboard.

9. Paintwork
Done by myself in 1991 using 2 pak primer over etch - well keyed and painted in a 'booth' with ICI cellulose - colour Rolls Royce Midnight Blue II - which has mellowed somewhat but still perfect. In my opinion far superior to modern low bake finish.

10. Headlights
12" Lucas bulls eye, early '30s vintage and rare.

11. Sidelamps - Lucas.
Modified twin filament approximately 1935.

12. Rear Lamps
Rubber divers helmet type reproduction.

MODIFICATIONS UNDERTAKEN

13. Wheels
Former 20" replaced by 19" assisting with elegance of body lines.

14. Radiator
6½ Litre reduced in height by approximately 4" rebuilt and larger core fitted to accommodate water volume loss.

15. Cooling Fan
Removed. In my opinion dangerous - replaced by electric cooling fan, a must for heavy traffic conditions. This works well.

16. Dynamo
Protrudes out the front - now disconnected (still in place) and replaced by modern alternator belt drive from front end of propshaft, making a difference of9 volts to 45 volts output.

17. Brakes
Drums - original scrapped replaced by cast ribbed drums - believe it or not the car was not formally fitted with a servo. The brakes, in spite of this work, superbly, but tend to squeal until hot (say 20 miles).

18. Electrics
Obviously totally rewired utilising some more reliable Lucas 1930's equivalents i.e. junction and fuse boxes. Front screen wipers work reasonably.

Flashing Indicators fitted - well worth it.

Fuel Pump
Twin computerised S.U. pumps fitted - reliable replacing Autovac which would 'crowd' the engine compartment.

Bulkhead
New - built and designed to accommodate lowered bulkhead bonnet line and radiator.

19. Tonneau Cover
Perfect

20. Hood
Perfect, hardly used. Tubular framework easy assembly.

21. All components finished in high quality chrome - not German silver.

FINAL COMMENTS
As you will appreciate, this car has definite advantages over some, in my opinion, undriveable totally original cars. Also far superior to original 6½ or speed 6s, most of which were over 12' long Chassis many of which have been cut down over the years to make more usable.

The 4 litre steering box has a good useable ratio.

The 4 litre engine was fitted as a desperate move by the ailing factory to compete with the Rolls Royce 20/25 - W.O. using what available parts he could without high expense. The 4 litre engine was produced by 'Ricardo's' and not to W.O's approval. No more 6½ engines were available and the company, accelerated by the depression, went to the 'Wall'.

I must point out that this is a long distance touring car when the 'heavyish' steering comes into its own.

This photograph was taken in Japan.

Chassis no: VA4097
Registration No: GY 184
Coachbuilder: Gurney Nutting