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Faithful recreation
of Number 3
The 1929 Bentley 6½-Litre
Sports Tourer offered here, fitted
with a 1930 Speed Six engine, was
built approximately 45 years ago by
Bentley marque expert Norman Smith
in the UK and was wonderfully executed
in every respect. The large-sump Speed-Six
engine was completely rebuilt by Roger
Cook at a cost of approximately $100,000,
and all moving parts were replaced,
including installation of a new crankshaft
and new connecting rods. The builder-restorers
selected the very best components
available, including the desirable
“C” gearbox, and it was
fitted with four-passenger touring
bodywork crafted in the style of Vanden
Plas. It is a remarkable duplicate
of the “Number 3” 1930 Le
Mans team car as it appeared in road
trim during the 1930s.
For approximately 35 years following
restoration, the Bentley was in the
care of just two English owners, and
during this time, Elmdown Engineering,
a respected vintage Bentley shop,
serviced it. In August 2002, the current
U.S.-based owner acquired the Bentley,
and several thoughtful additions were
made, including a battery cut-off
switch under the dash and a fire extinguisher,
as well as a modern oil filter, using
a kit purchased from William Medcalf
of the Bentley Drivers Club. Soon
after, it earned second in class at
the Castle Hill Concours d’Elegance
at Ipswich, Massachusetts – a
remarkable achievement considering
the 35 years since it was restored.
In 2003, the car completed the four-day,
1,000-mile Colorado Grand, confirming
its superior touring capabilities.
Among its many great period features,
the Bentley includes vintage-style
Michelin tyres, correct centre-lock
wire wheels, correct-style lamps with
excellent brightwork and a large competition
fuel tank. A 2½-gallon cowl-mounted
oil reservoir, like those used in
period at Le Mans, allows the driver
to pump oil to the engine as needed,
and right-hand-only horn and headlamp
grilles supplement a wire-mesh radiator
grille, just like those used on the
1930 Le Mans team cars. All Speed
Six Bentleys were equipped with dual
brake shoes at the rear wheels, with
one controlled by the foot brake and
the other controlled by the parking
brake. To compensate for wear in competition,
a vernier was mounted atop the parking-brake
handle to adjust for excessive wear,
and of course, a proper vernier is
included with this car.
The body and fenders of the Bentley
remain straight and excellent throughout,
and the green paintwork presents very
nicely as well. A recent inspection
of the “C” gearbox revealed
negligible wear. In fact, the side
curtains appear to be unused and still
wrapped in paper. The original generator
is not presently functional, having
been replaced by a driveshaft-mounted
alternator, which charges the battery
when the car is in motion. Wonderfully
executed and faithful to the road-going
livery of the Number 3 team car during
the 1930s, this Bentley offers all
the looks, power and cachet of the
prohibitively expensive original Speed
Six in a car built and maintained
by marque specialists. Indeed, the
driving experience offered by this
Bentley is arguably unmatched by any
other six-cylinder tourer in the world.
This car is for sale as of June
20, 2011.
Sold for
£470,400 on June 23, 2011
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