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1926 Bentley 3 Litre |
Chassis No. RT1537
Engine No. RT1529
Registration No. YP 5032 |
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October
2010 |
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1926 Bentley 3
Litre Tourer
Vanden Plas style coachwork
Not Sold
Reg Number: YP 5032 :: Chassis Number:
RT1537 :: Engine Number: RT1529
Cc: 2996
Body Colour: Green
Trim Colour: Red
MOT ExpiryDate: T. B. A.
"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.
According to Clare Hay's authoritative
book 'Bentley: The Vintage Years 1919
- 1931', this particular example -
chassis number RT1537 - was initially
fitted with saloon coachwork by Carbodies.
Built around the standard 10ft 10in
wheelbase chassis and road registered
as 'YP 5032' on 14th August 1926,
its first owner was H.A. Jellis. It
is unclear how long the latter kept
the 3-Litre but by 1949 possession
had transferred to W.B. Wright. Thereafter
the car is known to have passed through
the hands of A.J. Farsella, P.S. Pearl,
A.E. Padgett, M.J. Webb, D.N. Cameron,
G.I. Woodward, H.A. Booth and C. Moore.
Interestingly, an accompanying continuation
logbook shows that chassis RT1537
has existed as an open four-seater
since at least 1970.
Resident with George Dodds for some
twenty odd years, the Bentley's next
custodian, Malcolm Crump, treated
it to an extensive renovation programme
between 1997 and 2005. As well as
being re-sprayed and rewired, the
3-Litre had attention paid to its
suspension (new springs, shock absorbers,
shackle / axle bolts), brakes (new
rods, fork ends, linings), lighting
(refurbished headlamps / sidelamps,
new rear lamps), instruments (reconditioned
plus new rev counter and water temperature
gauge), wheels (re-spoked, new spinners),
clutch, brightwork, grease nipples,
drain plugs and engine ancillaries
(rejuvenated dynamo, autovac, magnetos,
carburetors). Upgraded via the installation
of a modern oil filter, cut-out switch
and twin electric fans, chassis RT1537
further benefited from a thorough
back axle overhaul (conversion to
4 star configuration, taller 3.53:1
crown wheel and pinion, fresh bearings
/ halfshafts). The late John Hunt
assisted with much of the work, while
D.H. Day supplied numerous parts.
Serviced by Sargeants of Goudhurst
for R. Beswick in May 2006, the car
was sold some thirteen months later
to R. Mein who promptly dispatched
it to marque specialist FS Racing
for inspection. The resultant report
identified the following numbers on
the Bentley: Chassis RT1537, Engine
RT1529, Steering Box RT1537 and Differential
RT1537 leading Stuart Fearnside of
FS Racing to comment: "It would
appear at this point to be a matching
numbers car. However, the front and
rear axle numbers, along with front
nib numbers are obscured by paint
and so a definitive answer cannot
be given without removing paintwork".
Mr Fearnside also noted the presence
of "a Smiths starter, C Type
gearbox, full flywheel, thermostat,
later type sump and Sloper SU carburettors";
the later type sump being particularly
prized because it facilitates the
enlargement of a 3 Litre engine to
4.5 Litres.
The vendor too has entrusted maintenance
of the open four-seater to FS Racing.
Starting readily upon inspection and
showing good oil pressure from cold,
the Bentley presents very nicely.
More original than many a 3 Litre,
chassis RT1537 has the added advantage
of a substantial ownership chain.
Elegantly proportioned and well finished,
its Vanden Plas-style coachwork is
trimmed with red leather upholstery
and (red-piped) green carpets. The
black double duck hood is a good fit
and suits the car's lines, while other
pleasing details comprise a winged
'B' mascot, rear-mounted spare wheel,
Bentley Drivers Club badge, AT 100mph
Model De Luxe speedometer and twin
klaxon horns.
Vintage Bentleys are imposing machines
and chassis RT1537 is no exception.
Worthy of close inspection, this appealing
3-Litre is offered for sale with continuation
logbook, numerous restoration bills
/ invoices, V5C Registration Document
and current MOT certificate. |
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Source:
Classic Auctions
Posted: Oct 17, 2012 |
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2007 |
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Michael Hay's authoritative
work, Bentley: The Vintage Years,
records the fact that 'RT1537' was
completed on the long chassis with
saloon coachwork by Carbodies and
registered 'YP 5032'. Re-bodied later
in life like so many of its fellows,
the car currently wears classically-proportioned
Vanden Plas-style four-seat tourer
bodywork widely recognised as the
most pleasing ever to clothe the Bentley
chassis.
First owner H A Jellis is believed
to have kept the car until 1949, while
accompanying documentation includes
a full list of all owners from that
date up to 2005 when it was acquired
by the vendor. Between 1977 and 1998
'RT1537' was owned by G K Dodds (Vintage
Radiators) and subsequently by Malcolm
Crump from 1998 to 2005.
Much work was done during Mr Crump's
ownership with assistance from the
late John Hunt. The running gear has
been extensively restored and up-rated,
featuring a new 4-star differential,
3.53:1 ratio axle (similar to the
4½-Litre), C-Type gearbox,
new half-shafts, rebuilt wheels, re-wired
electrics and re-plated brightwork.
A lovely late 3-Litre, the car has
the highly desirable 'big sump' engine
that more readily lends itself to
conversion to 4½ litres. Finished
in British Racing Green with Burgundy
leather interior, 'RT1537' is offered
with restoration invoices, old-style
logbook, current MoT/road fund licence
and Swansea V5 registration document. |
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Source:
Bonhams
Posted: Jul 16, 2010 |
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2006 |
In
England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member |
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"My 1926 3 litre
Bentley was a former long chassis
saloon by "Carbodies" that
had been fitted with an excellent
open four seat VDP fabric body, seats
and trim. It was a matching numbers
car (Chassis: RT1537; Engine: RT1529;
Registration: YP 5032). It was a very
sound car with a good engine and running
gear and a "C" Box. I restored
and re-fitted everything else (lights,
instruments, magnetos, dynamo, springs,
brakes etc) and rewired and resprayed
it (BRG of course). I also uprated
the back axle from 4.3:1 to 3.533:1,
changed the differential from 2 star
to 4 star and fitted 8 litre half
shafts making it bullet proof. I sold
it a few years ago and I understand
that the engine has now been converted
to 4½ litre.
I hope that this is the sort of information
that you want and I could scan and
email a couple of photos to you if
you wish." |
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Source:
Malcolm Crump (Former owner)
Posted: Mar 08, 2013 |
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1998
- 2005 |
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This car was owned
by Malcolm Crump from 1998 to 2005. |
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Source:
Malcolm Crump
Posted: Mar 08, 2013 |
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EARLIEST
RECORD OF HISTORICAL FACTS & INFORMATION |
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Chassis No. |
RT1537 |
Engine No. |
RT1529 |
Registration
No. |
YP 5032 |
Date of Delivery: |
Sep 1926 |
Type of Body: |
Saloon |
Coachbuilder: |
CARBODIES |
Type of Car: |
ST |
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First Owner: |
JELLIS H A |
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More Info:
Michael Hay, in his book Bentley:
The Vintage Years, 1997, states:
"Now Vanden Plas 4 seater." |
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Posted: Mar 01, 2007 |
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Submit
more information on this car |
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BACK |
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photograph received from Simon Hunt for Chassis No. RL3439 |
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Sep 30, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Dick Clay for Chassis No. 147 |
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Sep 29, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Ernst Jan Krudop for his Chassis No. AX1651 |
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Sep 28, 2020 - Info and photographs received from Lars Hedborg
for his Chassis No. KL3590 |
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Sep 25, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. XV 3207 |
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Sep 24, 2020 - Info and photograph added for Registration No. YM 7165 |
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