Found on Hyman Ltd. website on November 13, 2019

Stock Number 6537
1922 Bentley 3 Liter Sports Tourer
1922 Bentley 3 Litre
$475,000

At the foundation of W.O. Bentley’s enduring legacy sits Bentley Motors first production model – the rugged, high-performance 3-Litre. The very first prototype sprang to life in Bentley’s Cricklewood workshop in 1919, and soon the company had a demonstrator on the road. By 1921 production began, with customers taking delivery of their magnificent new Bentley sports cars soon after. Motor racing always played an essential role in the development of most early Bentleys, and the 3-Litre was no exception. In the hands of works drivers and privateer sportsmen alike, the stout 3-litre four-cylinder was soon taking top honors at prestigious racing circuits around the world. Within a few short years, a 3-Litre model brought Bentley its first outright victory at the LeMans 24 hour race, followed by another win in 1927, and the streak lasting until 1930. For a motorcar manufacturer founded just a few short years prior, those results were quite astonishing.

At the heart of the 3-Litre sits W.O.’s superb inline four-cylinder engine. The highly advanced power plant features four valves per cylinder, pent-roof combustion chambers, overhead camshaft, and twin plug ignition with redundant magnetos. The cars were not only powerful but incredibly robust and well-built, with a light but durable chassis that could handle whatever abuse that was thrown at it. The 3-Litre proved to be an incredibly versatile machine as Bentley gradually offered optional chassis lengths and equipment for touring or racing, with bodies (most by Bentley’s favored coachbuilder and neighbor Vanden Plas) built to suit. Today, these early Cricklewood Bentleys are highly prized for their spirited performance, indomitable build quality, and enduring competition legacy.

Our featured 3-Litre is chassis number 103, a very early-production Short Chassis model, recognized as one of the oldest surviving W.O. Bentleys in existence. Beautifully restored, it retains its original engine and wears authentic Vanden Plas four-place open touring coachwork. According to information provided by the respected marque expert Dr. Clare Hay, Chassis 103 was likely delivered on or around August 4th 1922, fitted from new with similar four-place open touring coachwork by Vanden Plas. Record-keeping at Bentley in the early days was spotty at best, and production records of this particular chassis do not exist. However, the factory began keeping detailed service records in 1923, and by June of that year, information regarding chassis 103 appears in those ledgers, which helps piece together the earliest history of this fascinating motorcar.

Based on the entries in the service ledger, experts believe the original owner was Major Robinson of Borden Hants, his Bentley carrying the registration number HO 9620. Typical of the era with Bentley owners, the car returned to works service on several occasions for repairs and updates as improved components became available. One of the earliest entries in ledger shows the car received an updated, stronger A-Type gearbox, which is the same ‘box fitted to the car today. In 1924, he returned the car to Works Service for fitment of the newly available four-wheel brakes. By 1926, the guarantee had transferred to Jack Withers, a prominent authorized Bentley dealer in London.

Withers carried out further service work, including decarbonizing, bored out block, and fitment of BHB high-compression pistons. The next private owner appears to be J.B. Cooper of Cambridge, with subsequent owners documented in the Hay Report. Sometime in the 1930s, chassis 103 was re-bodied with a similar, albeit later style Vanden Plas touring body (number 1261) with unusual “LeMans-type” cycle wings. The later style body is narrower than the early type, thus relocating the handbrake outside the cockpit. No photos of 103’s original body exist in the period; however, Vanden Plas records document the origins of replacement coachwork, and VdP numbers found during the restoration confirm these findings. Having enjoyed a life of regular care and use, chassis 103 eventually came to California in the 1960s with H.R. Crown. It remained a well-known car in BDC circles, appearing at numerous events throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The most recent owner acquired 103 a few years ago and commenced with a well-researched restoration to return the car to an authentic, period-correct state. Records show the original finish to be “scratched aluminum with a black varnish” and it presents in that style livery today. The chassis and wings are finished in gloss black, which, combined with the polished bonnet, satin-black body, and black wire wheels give it a purposeful and sporty aesthetic. The body detailing is marvelous, featuring accessories like a period saddle-mount jerry can, period fire extinguisher, single side-mount spare wheel, and a Wilmot-Breeden Calormeter. The nickel-plated Lucas headlamps, German silver radiator shell, and other flashes of brightwork are in superb order. Also per original specification is the gray Connolly leather trim, which is beautifully finished and shows only the slightest signs of use since the restoration.

Beneath the polished alloy bonnet rests the original engine, number 109. Aside from the improvements made by the factory, it features twin S.U. “sloper” carburetors and ML CG4 magnetos. The engine bay is very well detailed without appearing over-restored, displaying a period-appropriate appearance. Power goes through the four-speed A-Type gearbox, numbered 156 as fitted by the works in 1923. The chassis features four-wheel brakes as fitted in 1924 along with Stage 2 Perrot shafts and brackets on the front end, Excelsior Cord tires, and Hartford shocks.

As one of the oldest known W.O. Bentleys, Chassis 103 provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of this legendary firm. It is sure to be a welcome addition to any collection and is ready for touring and adventure.

This car is for sale as of November 13, 2019

Found on Bonhams website on October 21, 2019

16 Aug 2019, 10:00 PDT
Quail Lodge Auction
Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club

1922 Bentley 3 Liter Sports Tourer
Coachwork by Vanden Plas
Chassis no. 103
Engine no. 109
US$ 450,000 - 650,000

- 2,996cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
- 4 Valves Per Cylinder
- 80bhp at 3,500rpm
- 4-Speed Close-Ratio Gearbox
- Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
- 4-Wheel Drum Brakes with Perrot Shaft Actuation

- Among the oldest surviving W.O. Bentleys in existence
- Long-Term California car since 1960s
- Retaining the original engine
- Eligible for many road touring events, including North American Vintage Bentley Club

Completed on August 4th, 1922, this early 3-Liter Bentley was delivered new to Major Robinson, fitted with rear brakes only and sporting an open Vanden Plas Body in black with a scratched aluminum bonnet over a grey interior. In the subsequent years, the rapid developments and refinements by Bentley to the 3 Liter model were fitted to this car by the factory. In 1923, the original transmission was replaced with no. 156, likely due to the more robust shift forks in the newer version of the 4-speed transmission. In 1924, a four-wheel brake conversion was carried out as well, adding much needed stopping power to the front wheels, and in 1925 the factory installed BHB high compression pistons. The original body, numbered 3194, was removed from the car sometime in the 1930s or 1940s and replaced with the body it retains today, Vanden Plas no. 1261.

By the mid 1960s, after passing through the hands of several British collectors, this 3-Liter made its way to the United States, where it was owned by H.R. Crown in Van Nuys, California. 103 remained in California until it was acquired by the current owner. By the time it arrived in California, this Bentley was in a similar configuration to how it is presented today. Under the bonnet, the 3-liter engine is fitted with twin SU G5 'Sloper' Carburetors and an ML CG4 Magneto and Stage 2 Perrot shafts and brackets on the front end.

After two idle decades, this early Bentley received professional care from marque experts who rebuilt all the major systems of the car. This work, which was completed in 2018, lead to the car that is presented today. Handsome in black with accents of red and scratched aluminum with a triplex windscreen, this 3 Liter is very well sorted inside and out. Included in the sale, along with tolls, is an exhaustive history report compiled by Clare Hay in 2019.

"I purchased the 1922 W.O. from my friend Jack Hilton. I have been a member of the BDC for about 5 years. I bought a disassembled. 1926 and (as a hobbyist) restored the auto. It turned out really well, and I sold it. (which as a huge mistake.) Jack's WO needs to be restored and completed... which I am doing. It is one of the very early 3 liters, and should be great when completed. The possibility of obtaining and of the original notes, info. etc is very exciting. I will be more than happy to cover any printing, postage costs etc. and be very grateful. I live in a little town in northern Arizona, and believe me, I have the only Bentley here. (I also have a Mark VI 2 passenger, motorcycle fendered racer that was purchased in London that I love. I will send a few pictures in a few days.)"

"I am in contact with Peter Chapman, who was the 10th owner of this car from 1960 to around 1964. I even drove the car on one occasion. Peter is a nearly-retired newspaper columnist, who is a dedicated non-computer user. I showed him Jack Hilton's Feb 2016 post (below), which greatly interested him.

Peter has records of all owners previous to himself, and also a detailed history of his own period of ownership. Every bit of work done to the car is recorded, down to the last wing nut.

If Jack Hilton would like to get in touch with me, I could scan some of the information for his interest."

"I have attempted for many years to obtain information on #103, a Vanden Plas tourer. I also have the last three litre built, with a body by Wylder owned by Johnny Green in the UK for many years. I am confident that it is a correct and a original three litre as he was active with it in the Bentley in England prior to WW II.

I started a frame up restoration #103 when I lived in Carmel, California. I made many trips to England trying to get information on it with no success. It has cycle fenders which seem strange to me but several UK members felt it could be correct on such an early car. I recently had a young man visit me from the UK who wanted to buy both cars. I suspect his dad is a dealer. I did not believe his offer was reasonable, so he then tried to buy the other car which I did not even consider.

I am now 90 years old and unable to complete 103 and should consider selling it to someone who was capable of completing it. If I decide to sell the cars, I would prefer they stay in the USA. I thought you might know of someone who had the know how to complete #103 and to pay a reasonable price."

Southern California Region Meets, by Allan S. Tweddle
Right: John Milchik's '22 3-1. short chassis Vanden-Plas tourer, chassis #103, engine #109. One of the first Bentleys, this car is the speed model, having 21" tires, front wheel brakes, and engine speed modifications. It has shallow doors; one for the front seat on the left side and one for the rear seat on the right side.