RM Sotheby's Offers 1928 Bentley 4½-Liter At Amelia Island Auction, Estimate $6.5 to $7.5 Million
Only a handful of the original racing cars are more desirable than this 4½ liter "Bobtail," chassis no. KM3088. Though the car suffered a retirement at the 1928 Le Mans 24 Hours, in June of 1929 it came home third in the French classic. A month before that Le Mans success it took second place honors in the Brooklands Double Twelve, clocking an average 81.39 mph. It then served as a team practice car into 1930. The car has had precious few owners in nearly nine decades of existence, and its health and condition have been carefully attended, with a restoration in 1964 followed by a “preservative” restoration in 2009.

Originally purchased by Sir Roland Gunter to serve as a factory team race car, in 1930 KM3088 ownership passed to Lauchlan Rose, who reportedly drove the car to work on occasion. For after-lunch entertainment Rose supposedly lapped the Brooklands circuit. Rose sold off the car after a few years. By the time of World War Two, the much-loved car reportedly had almost 100,000 miles logged. Rose bought it back after the war, and passed it to his son. KM3088 remained with the Rose family through 1971. The Bobtail then formed part of Bill Lake’s pre-war sports car collection for 33 years, and only sold after he passed.

In recent years, KM3088 has been the recipient of a professional “preservation” restoration by marque specialists, meaning they only performed the work needed without completely remanufacturing the car to perfection—it has patina, as a Bentley should. It sold at Pebble Beach in 2012 for $6,050,000.

I contacted an old friend, in this case one who drove and reviewed the Birkin Bentley "monoposto" on the Isle of Man and later a Speed Six for me in the old days when we were roaming about sampling fine vintage cars and the best sports cars of the day. Last week he wrote the following in an email about driving a WO-era Bentley:

"Moving the steering wheel at idle is almost as difficult as lifting the car itself might be. Miraculously, at less than walking pace it sparks into life and is merely heavy. But it does come to life. Through the cord-wrapped rim proportioned to serve a Neanderthal man, every slight contour of the road is fed through the tires and up along the column. As speeds rise one's palms begin to tingle. Critically, at 60 to 70 mph on country roads the leviathan can be guided easily and accurately with one’s finger tips. It's truly uncanny that such mass can be directed with so little effort. WO Bentley’s cars have precision of controls that is quite remarkable."

“Alas the transmission remains awkward and was the Achilles heel of all WO-era Bentleys. True, it's precise, yet also heavy and recalcitrant. It can neither be bullied nor seduced. Timing is key. It cannot be rushed. If you've ever witnessed the Queen's Guard on parade, you will have noticed all their drill movements follow strict timing: ONE - pause, two, three, ONE. Well, that's what it takes to shift Bentley gearboxes.

“Shout exactly that at the top of your voice as you shift: 'ONE' (hit the clutch and knock the lever into neutral), 'pause, two, three' (wait until the gear speeds synchronize), and 'ONE' (nudge the lever into the next gear). On a good day it works like a Swiss watch.

“Even long-term owners admit that on some days there's nothing doing, and some how for some reason, the gears only grind. And when they do, you can feel the cogs grate and snatch—painfully—through the weighty lever at the heel of your palm (right-hand palm for all you Colonials because even though it's a right-hand drive car, the lever is situated outside the bodywork). It hurts. Unless you lay bricks for a living, your hand will turn purple.

"In all the many cars that I have piloted—you don't merely drive a vintage Bentley—nothing compares to the reward. Sitting high, as you would commanding a tank, you get a different perspective on the world, rather as you might wielding broadsword on a battlefield. Both are beautifully weighted and perfectly balanced. Forget your schiavonas and espadas—the Bentley is the perfect weapon for any gentleman."

==

Found on RM Sotheby's website on June 27, 2018

Lot Number: 266
RM | Sotheby's - AMELIA ISLAND 2017

1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Le Mans Sports "The Bobtail" by Vanden Plas

Chassis No. KM3088 ~ Engine No. MF8175
$6,500,000 - $7,500,000

- “The Bobtail,” one of the most significant and correct Works Bentleys extant
- Built for the 1928 Bentley Works season
- Two-time factory Le Mans entrant, including podium finish in 1929
- 2nd place at the 1929 JCC Double Twelve
- Driven by such famous “Bentley Boys” as Sammy Davis, Frank Clement, and Dudley Benjafield
- Includes detailed historical account by noted marque historian, Dr. Clare Hay

BENTLEY BESTS LE MANS
Coming to the realization that his 3-Litre car was just not fast enough for international competition, W.O. Bentley set about producing a larger-engined vehicle that could be easily modified to compete in the most important international race of the era: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Only slightly modifying the chassis of the 3-Litre, the real emphasis was put into the engine. The bore was increased to 100 millimeters, and the stroke reduced to 140 millimeters, creating a cubic capacity of 4,398-cubic centimeters, a nearly 1,500-cubic centimeter increase from the previous model. Twin SU “sloper” carburetors were added, with ignition controlled by two ML GR4 magnetos.

After an excruciating victory at the 1927 Le Mans, Bentley prepared for the 1928 season with renewed energy. Three cars were prepared in secrecy in a new Racing Shop close to the Vanden Plas’ Works, the second of those being chassis KM3088, fitted with engine MF3175. After being built by the Chassis Shop, KM3088 was sent on to the Racing Shop to be outfitted with the special racing modifications and newly designed body. These modifications included non-self-wrapping front brakes, additional shock absorbers, and the new single-plate clutch. The engines were tuned to enable speedy pit stops, with a reserve oil tank controlled by a driver-operated tap on the nearside of the car allowing for the required 20 laps between fluid replenishments.

The body was built by Vanden Plas, a firm with roots in the aircraft industry, with long experience building coachwork for racing Bentleys. The surviving build record gives little information, instead noting the specification as “job 1477,” referring to KM3088’s sister car, KM3077. The new design was created specifically to meet with the strict regulations of the Le Mans race; a four-seater with a short and rounded back, a near-vertical spare wheel, and the “bobtail” cowling, which gives the model its nickname. The windscreen was wire-mesh, and an extra “Cyclops” Marchal headlamp was fitted to give better vision during the long hours of night driving. Finished in green fabric with matching Parson’s Napier Green paintwork and upholstery, the Vanden Plas record shows that the body was completed on 25 May 1928, allowing Bentley plenty of time for testing before Le Mans.

RACING WITH THE BENTLEY BOYS
Entered in a team of three 4½-Litres for the 1928 Le Mans, KM3088 was allocated race #2 and driven by well-known Bentley drivers Frank Clement and Dr. J. Dudley “Benjy” Benjafield. The race was off to an astounding start for Bentley, as The Motor notes “Clement, on his very first lap, had beaten all existing records for the course . . . averaging 72.7 mph from a standing start!” Several hours in, #2 led the race, with a second Bentley not far behind.

Disaster would strike for the Bobtail as dawn approached – a loose water pipe emptied the radiator, resulting in extreme overheating. The culprit was a cracked chassis frame, causing the vehicle to sit unevenly and misalign. Clement could do nothing more than drive the car into the dead-car park, and hope that the other two Bentleys held on for the remaining hours. In the end, an overheating “Old Mother Gun” limped to a 1st place finish.

Post-Le Mans, KM3088 was repaired by Bentley Motors, though it is uncertain whether an entirely new chassis frame was fitted. After a run at the 1928 Shelsley Walsh, coming in 3rd, the 4½-Litre was advertised in The Motor on 21 August, and sold to “Bentley Boy” Sir Ronald Gunter, who maintained KM3088 at the Racing Shop until February 1930.

The 1929 season saw KM3088’s finest moment with its inclusion as a Works entry in the brand-new JCC Double Twelve. Driven by Sammy Davis and Gunter as #6, the Bobtail was firmly in 2nd place by the third hour, battling against the Alfa Romeos. With the early retirement of the Works Six Speed, it was up to Davis and Gunter to bring home the win for Bentley. As the second day dawned, all eyes were locked on the fight between KM3088 and the Alfa 6C 1500 driven by Giulio Ramponi. Pushing the car to its limit, Davis drove at a staggering 90 mph just behind the leading Alfa, slipping around the turns on the wet track. Despite giving it his all, Davis finished just behind the Alfa; handicap records show a margin of just 0.003.

The hard battle of the Double Twelve showed itself later that season, when KM3088 was entered last minute in the 1929 Le Mans, driven by Benjafield and Baron André d’Erlanger, now dressed as #10. During the race, problems arose with the battery, water pump, and lights. Indeed the front brakes were so worn that the mechanics were forced to disconnect them entirely – a decision which led to Benjafield not returning the vehicle to d’Erlanger for the final push. In the end, however, Bentley crossed the line with a historic 1-2-3-4 finish, with KM3088 finishing 3rd amongst the pack, despite its mechanical problems. For the third year running, Bentley proved its status as the best motor vehicle manufacturer in the world, and the Bobtail was a major player in the feat.

THE BOBTAIL
After its second grueling outing at Le Mans, KM3088 was sent to Kensington Moir’s showroom, and sold in the first half of 1930 to Lauchlan Rose. Rose wrote two articles for the Bentley Drivers Club Review detailing his early ownership, which included the fitting of the new “D”-type gearbox in September 1930, along with his change to a glass windscreen. At the end of 1933, Rose passed the 4½-Litre to then-RAF Ground Instructor Lewis Rivers Oldmeadow, a decision Rose regretted immediately. Oldmeadow maintained the Bentley as it was, except for the fitting of a new steering wheel. As he reports in a September 1944 Motor Sport article, the war caused him to sell in 1939, and KM3088 fell out of sight. The last maintenance reported on the Service Report is a new throttle cable, fitted January 1939.

In a miraculous twist of fate, KM3088 was discovered after the war by none other than Lauchlan Rose. He records his first sighting of his beloved car in a September 1949 article in the BDC Review, noting the poor state of his once pristine motor car. “The car nearly brought tears to our eyes. It was evident that she had spent much of the war in some damp place, as mildew and rust could be seen in various corners.”

Dr. Clare Hay, in her initial report of KM3088, queries as to whether it was during this time when the engine was tampered with—producing the odd stamping now seen. Though thought to be original for many decades, the crankcase was discovered to be stamped with MF8175, not the original MF3175, upon the removal of an earth strap during the later restoration. Hay does note that the cylinder block looks to be the original racing block, complete with the RAC scrutineering stamp.

Rose set about rescuing KM3088 and commissioned a restoration by Bill Shortt, with further work by Tony Townshend’s Elmdown Engineering returning the Bobtail to its original Le Mans glory. The Bentley remained with the Rose family for another 25 years, until passing to noted pre-war collector Bill Lake. KM3088 was in good company, as Lake also owned GF 8507, the Six Speed team car. Upon his passing in 2004, Lake’s son sold the Bobtail. The new owner undertook a preservative restoration by VBE Restoration to return the historic specification of the Bentley. Invoices for this work are maintained in the history file and show the incredible amount of detail and time that was committed to this project.

The Bobtail was acquired by the current owner in 2012 and has been beautifully maintained, having been recently described as “like going back in time.” It shows the proper patina of its age and significance, as neither restoration detracted from its original beauty.

As one of precious few Bentley Le Mans Works Team cars, and one of even fewer with such a prestigious race record, KM3088 would certainly be the prized possession of any important collection the world over. The chance to buy such a car does not present itself often and certainly should not be taken lightly. It is, quite simply, one of the most authentic and storied Works Bentleys in existence – known and beloved to enthusiasts worldwide as “The Bobtail.”

"I am currently researching the Bentley 10 registration YW 2557 having read the fascinating story on your site I was wondering if you could shed some light as to whether the vehicle was used in an OXO advert. I am currently in receipt of an oil painting (above) featuring this vechile advertising an OXO promotion."

Aug 30, 2012: Sold at auction for $6,050,000.

Factory Le Mans Team Car
1928 Bentley 4½ Litre Le Mans Sports "Bobtail"
Coachwork by Vanden Plas

CHASSIS NO. KM3088; ENGINE NO. MF3175 (see text); Registration No. YW 2557
$5,500,000 - $7,500,000

- A Two-Time Factory Le Mans Entry
- 2nd Overall at the 1929 Brooklands Double Twelve
- 3rd Overall at the 1929 24 Hours of Le Mans
- The Only Remaining “Bobtail” 4½ Litre
- Exceptional Provenance and Limited Ownership
- Recent and Exacting Preservative Restoration
- Ideal International Driving and Concours Event Entrant
- One of the Greatest Bentleys in Existence

- 4,398 CC SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
- Twin SU Sloper Carburetors
- Estimated 150 HP
- 4-Speed Manual “D” Gearbox
- 4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
- Semi-Elliptical Leaf-Spring Suspension
- with Friction-Plate Shock Absorbers

In 1928 Chassis KM3088 was fitted with engine MF3175 in preparation for the fast approaching racing season, and received registration YW 2557. The 4½ Litre “Bobtail,” commonly referred to by its registration number YW 2557, was completed by Vanden Plas in June 1928 with body no. 1480 and was invoiced to Sir Ronald Gunter. The work conducted by Vanden Plas was carried out in the strictest confidence, handled directly by W.O. himself.

The first two cars produced, YV 7263 and YW 2557, were works specialized production chassis sent to Vanden Plas for lightweight Le Mans coachwork per design 1477. The body consisted of an ash frame with fabric covering. A tall, rear D-shape fuel tank was mounted with a vertical spare. The package was covered by a rounded aluminum shroud, the resultant appearance of which gained the cars their “Bobtail” nickname. Additionally, the team cars received the “eyebrow”-type cycle fenders. Both cars were finished in the team’s standard Napier Green.

Further specification included quick-release caps for water, fuel and oil replenishment, a leather hood strap, a fold-flat front screen, Aeroscreens, large-diameter gauges, bucket-style seats and cycle fenders. The differences between the works cars and the production cars amounted to innumerable modifications, either for weight savings, reliability or performance. Specifically for the 1928 Le Mans, the team cars sported a third, centrally mounted headlamp.

With the fast new four cylinders at their disposal, the team entered the 1928 24 Hours of Le Mans. For YW 2557, W.O. selected two of his best drivers – the 1924 Le Mans winner Frank Clement and the 1927 Le Mans winner Dudley Benjafield. The race proved a significant trial for the new 4½ Litre “Bobtail,” with strong competition from Stutz and Chrysler. Almost immediately, YW 2557 was setting a blistering pace, recording a new lap record at 72.7 mph. The first pit stop was made after three hours, and by the time darkness fell upon the Circuit de la Sarthe, YW 2557 was running in 4th in the hands of Clement and Benjafield.

Unfortunately, well into the race, YW 2557 suffered a broken frame. The quick pace in combination with a significant ridge just near Maison Blanche caused the fracture and a broken radiator hose resulted some laps later. Per regulation, water could only be replenished every 20 laps, and YW 2557 was forced to retire on the 71st lap. Old Mother Gun similarly broke its frame shy of the finish, but limped to victory, driven by Barnato. Birkin managed to bring the no. 3 car into 5th overall. On the return trip from Le Mans the third 4½ Litre broke its frame.

The race was a success, but Bentley knew there was room for improvement. Upon return to Cricklewood, each of the team cars received new frames with significant chassis strengthening. Of note is the modification of Birkin’s “Bobtail” to be fitted with a different style of fuel tank, a small trunk and a side-mounted spare, making YW 2557 the sole remaining “Bobtail.” The 4½-litre cars were continually campaigned throughout the remainder of the 1928 season.

For the first major outing in the 1929 season, Bentley once again turned to YW 2557 for the inaugural Double Twelve Race at Brooklands on May 10th and 11th. The 1927 Le Mans winner, Sammy Davis, and Gunter were given YW 2557, wearing no. 6, and were joined by Clement and Cook in YV 7263 and Barnato and Benjafield in the new Speed Six.

On the first day of the race, Bentley lost the Speed Six entry to retirement, although the car had been leading, averaging well in excess of 92 mph. On the second day, Bentley retired the Clement and Cook 4½ Litre, leaving only YW 2557 to battle with the remaining Alfa Romeos. YW 2557 proved quite capable, with Davis noting comfort at speeds of 104 and 105 mph, even reaching 107 mph when needed. Davis went on to recount that it was “the finest battle [he had] ever had bar none. Worthily did No. 6 respond.” In a very close finish, Alfa Romeo took the victory, having been given a substantial handicap advantage. The 4½ Litre “Bobtail” took an admirable 2nd.

Just four weeks after the endurance-racing season opener, Bentley was headed to Le Mans. After the necessary fettling and preparation, a fivecar team was assembled with a singular Speed Six, Old Mother Gun, and the three other 4½-litre team cars, including the “Bobtail” YW 2557. Interestingly, three of the five cars had just been used in 24-hour events; in fact, the Birkin 41/2 Litre had run two 24-hour events leading up to Le Mans. Birkin had pulled the two supercharged entries at the last moment, and YV 7263 and YW 2557 were entered with little to no preparation.

Regardless, the 1929 Le Mans race proved Bentley’s dominance. Of the five entries, only YV 7263 failed to finish. By the closing hours of the race, W.O. had ordered the team into a slow pace. At one point, Dunfee had pulled off Old Mother Gun to have a drink! When the checkered flag dropped, it was Bentley in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. Benjafield and Baron d’Erlanger piloted YW 2557 to an easy 3rd place overall.

The 1929 season was a sensational success, but it brought change. W.O. soon favored the Speed Sixes, of which he eventually had three for competition, and Birkin favored his personal project, the “Blower” Bentley.

YW 2557 remained with the team, well used for fast practice at Brooklands by Sammy Davis and Clive Gallop. The 4½ Litre “Bobtail” was retained by Gunter until 1930 when the team car was sold to Lauchlan Rose. Factory service records indicate some minor refurbishment that year at a noted 47,080 miles. Recounting much of his ownership in the BDC Review article “Fun and Games with YW 2557,” Mr. Rose proved to be the owner the car deserved. “[It was] the best motorcar deal I have ever had in my life. Everything on the car was just as she finished the race, except that a compression plate had been fitted. The front mudguards were about a foot long, perched on top of the wheels, so we decided to have a somewhat longer pair fitted. Otherwise everything was left exactly as it was. Taking delivery of that car has always been a great thrill to me.”

Mr. Rose retained the car for three years and during his ownership factory service continued including the installation of a new D gearbox, which he desired in contrast to the straight-cut racing type. A minor accident in June 1932 led to additional service work conducted by Birkin and Couper, who replaced the front axle bed and a handful of other components. Mr. Rose frequently used the “Bobtail,” driving it quite often to work and taking time after lunch to run several laps at the Brooklands circuit. “We would often go down on non-race days and commit lappery and generally fool about. Sometimes we’d do five laps or more, and perhaps a few people would gather to watch and wonder who the poor sap might be who obviously determined to break up his motorcar. But the old car reveled in it, and the longer we kept on the better she seemed to go.”

In 1933, Mr. Rose sold YW 2557 to his dear friend Rivers Oldmeadow, a decision that would haunt him for years to come, although Mr. Oldmeadow proved to be a fantastic steward of YW 2557. In the September 1944 Motor Sport, Oldmeadow recounts “Cars I Have Owned,” stating, “The heyday of my motoring career was reached when I bought KM3088 [the “Bobtail”], a genuine 4½ Litre Le Mans team Bentley. I never want any other car; alas, the war and finance forced me to sell her. This car carried me for some years all over Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria and was, to my way of thinking, perfect. I covered 84 miles in an hour on the Wurzburg-Munich autobahn, and that was taking things quite gently.”

YW 2557 was well used and by 1939, service records indicated that the car had turned 100,000 miles and started anew with an entry at 1,300 miles. The only serious notation on record is a change of the steering wheel. In late 1939 or 1940, Mr. Oldmeadow parted ways with the team car and it passed into an unknown ownership during the war, as is the case with many Vintage Bentleys.

It is during the war years that we believe YW 2557 suffered a rather serious engine blow-up, at which time the sump and crankcase were replaced with standard 4½-litre bits. Thankfully, the original engine block was retained. The engine block in fact carries the RAC scrutineer’s stamp found only on the original four-cylinder team car engines.

Shortly after the war Mr. Rose, who still regretted selling YW 2557, found the “Bobtail” for sale in Autocar and purchased it once again from the owner. Mr. Rose would not make the same mistake again, and the car remained in the Rose family, eventually passing to Lauchlan’s son Tom. Disappointed by its wartime stewardship, Mr. Lauchlan Rose set out to return YW 2557 to a more correct state. In 1964, the car received a restoration by Elmdown Engineering Ltd to correct many details to team car specification.

The Rose family’s roughly 25-year stewardship lasted until 1971, at which time YW 2557 was bought by noted English collector Bill Lake. Mr. Lake, who additionally owned GF 8507, the “Number 2” Speed Six factory team car, stabled the “Bobtail” amongst his fantastic collection of pre-war sports cars. It was not until 2004 that the 4½ Litre Le Mans would leave its 33-year home. After Mr. Lake’s passing, his son David eventually chose to sell both cars.

In the hands of its current owner, YW 2557 was entrusted to Bentley specialist Richard Cresswell of VBE Restorations for a complete preservative restoration. During the restoration, certain key components were obtained for the car, including the factory racing sump off of Le Mans winner Old Mother Gun and a set of SU Slopers stamped “KM spare,” the racing team’s extra set of carburetors for YV 7263 or YW 2557.

Highlighting the success of the restoration is the surviving patina of the car. The 4½ Litre “Bobtail” retains its period-correct fabric covering. Bentley works-specific hardware, components and modifications are found throughout the entire car. For example, mounting brackets for the 1928 Le Mans third center headlamp remain on the front cross member.

Further inspection of the coachwork reveals the VDP number stamped in the original body. This Bentley is an absolute delight for those fascinated by industrial archeology.

A silver plate affixed to the bonnet recalls YW 2557’s phenomenal racing record. Accompanying the Bentley is a proper tool kit and handbook, the original radiator, original bellypans, and other bits from the most recent restoration work. Also of note is YW 2557’s presence in many highly regarded Vintage Bentley publications as well as numerous periodicals and BDC Review. It has even graced the cover of Hay’s Bentley Factory Cars 1919–1931.

Those fortunate enough to have driven a factory-works Bentley will note that the visceral experience is unlike any other pre-war sporting car. In comparison to a standard production chassis, the team cars have a momentous energy and lightness about them. It is widely known that a Vintage Bentley is exceptionally powerful, but the team cars further prove to be sensationally fast.

Of the Le Mans Works Team Cars, originally comprised of four 3 Litres, four 4½ Litres, three Speed Sixes and four Birkin “Blowers,” few remain in such a pure state. Inarguably some of the most important motorcars on the planet, the Bentley factory team cars rarely come to market. The majority of the surviving examples reside in some of the world’s greatest car collections. This 4½ Litre “Bobtail” is one of just two team cars to hold podium results at the period’s two major endurance races and, as one of the finest Bentleys in existence, without question presents an opportunity not to be missed.

Dorddogne, 2009

These photographs were taken at the Brooklands 100th Anniversary in June 2007.

BDC Concours, 2006

Christies auction, 2004.

Registration No. YW 2557 (U.K.)
Chassis No. KM 3088
Engine No. MF 3175

Engine: four cylinder, overhead valve, non-detachable cylinder head, 4,398cc, 110bhp at 3,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs, with friction shock absorbers; Brakes: four wheel drum. Right hand drive.

Coachwork: 'Bobtail' tourer, by Vanden Plas No. 1480, dark, British Racing, green with green leather interior

History of this car
Chassis KM 3088 was built by the Works between February and May 1928. Vanden Plas records confirm the order of a Le Mans Sports Racer body, as per Job 1477 (Birkin's car, Chassis No. KM 3077). By this they refer to the all new lightweight bodywork designed for Le Mans with cowled 25 gallon 'D' shaped tank sitting over the rear axle for improved handling. Behind the tank was an almost vertical rear-mounted spare wheel, which would cause the cars to be known as 'Bobtails'. Records state it was to be finished in Parson's Napier Green, with matching upholstery, though further details, which would have presumably been confidential, are not detailed. The body was invoiced at £215 to Bentley Motors, and completed on 28th May 1928.

Bentley's Factory build sheet confirms the original fitting of Engine No. MF 3175 to this chassis and that the car was sold to Sir Roland Gunter, being registered YW 2557.

For many years, it was thought that the racing debut of the car was in the Essex Six Hours race at Brooklands, a warm up race for Le Mans. Indeed this is even noted on a plate on the bonnet, but it is now known that the car was not ready by then, and that its first race was actually Le Mans 1928.

For the 1929 season at Brooklands, the ambitious Junior Car Club introduced the first ever 24 hour endurance race at the circuit. KM 3088, wearing Race number 6, was piloted by owner Sir Roland Gunter and S.C.H. 'Sammy' Davis. As Davis recounted in an article titled 'The Finest English race' in The Autocar 'No. 6 was in capital condition, just about ripe, that is, good for 4,000 rpm at need, and with heaps of brake adjustment in hand. It had run extraordinarily well….. it was as steady as a rock at 104-105mph, and one cautious experiment showed that it would go up to 107mph and even more, if required by the signals from the pit. For the first few laps of each day the cars were run cautiously until they were warm and then the race began in earnest. It was to be a fabulous duel between Ramponi in a 1750 Alfa Romeo and Davis in KM 3088. Not until they returned to the pits at the end of the race, did they find that the Alfa had won, by 200 yards an hour, or 0.003 on formula. A few weeks later KM 3088 would return to Le Mans to avenge its retirement the former year.

Le Mans 1929 -
This year Bentley fielded a team of no less than 5 Works entries, a fifth of the total accepted for the race. Our car YW 2557, and YV7263 were both conscripted owing to the new 'Blower' Bentleys not being ready, alongside YW 5758 driven by Clement and Chassagne, 'Old Mother Gun' YH 3196 driven by Kidston and Dunfee and they were joined by the new Speed Six, piloted by Barnato and Birkin. As the 24th hour reached its climax, the Bentleys patiently formed a processional 1-2-3-4 line up to finish. The Motor would recount 'Beautiful workmanship, magnificent driving and, above all, the most minute preparation enabled the Bentley team to pull off the double victory. For this year, not content with covering the biggest distance in the 24 hours, a Bentley also won the final of the race on a cylinder-capacity basis. Moreover on the score of distance, three other Bentleys were respectively second, third, fourth, and they finished together, crossing the finishing line like a squadron of battleships in 'line-ahead'. YW 2557's place in the line up, the most successful race ever for Bentley was a distinguished 3rd.

The 'Bobtail' was professionally and accurately restored by Elmdown Engineering in 1964, such that it is today in the exact configuration in which it contested and achieved its race placing at Le Mans. This extends from the seemingly ineffective 'eyebrow' wings to the cowled coachwork by which it earned its nickname. Numerous Le Mans details are evident from the front dumb-iron pillars on which weights could be added in place of the mechanic, to the adjuster in the cockpit, so that the brakes can be tightened on the move.

Today, the cosmetic aspect of the restoration has mellowed such that it is entirely sympathetic to the great 'war chariot' that the car once was, displaying a charming patina of age. Were one oblivious to the presence and competition styling of the car a discreet a silver plaque applied to the bonnet during this rebuild confirms its racing provenance.

In recent times an engine rebuild was entrusted to marque specialist Tony Fabian, and prior to the sale after a brief period of rest, the car has once again been returned to the road by Fabian.

Christie's staff had the benefit of road-testing the car during cataloguing and can confirm that it performs very well, with good brakes, and that its array of instrumentation from Jaeger RPM dial, Smiths MA fuel and oil pressure gauges, to 120 mph Jaeger speedometer, can be relied upon. It should be noted that the engine is presently running with Castrol 'R'.

In the words of Ray Roberts writing in Bentley Specials and Special Bentleys 'this is a very special car', having been cherished through almost all of its life. It is also a car which is very well-known and has been the subject of various features, from the Hay's excellent reference work The Factory Cars - 1919-1931, where it is illustrated on the cover, to probably the most famous painting of Vintage Le Mans, by Terence Cuneo.

The only 'Bobtail' Bentley to survive in its original form, YW 2557 contested Le Mans not once, but twice, and is one of only two Works Bentleys that also placed in both major endurance races of its day, the Double Twelve and Le Mans.

Photograph was taken during the 2001 Brooklands Society Reunion.

The 1928 4½ Litre had raced in the 1928 event (Clement/Benjafield - retired), and in 1929 (d’Erlanger/Benjafield - 3rd overall) as a Works Car.

Le Mans - for French Television 1980
On the left the late Bill Lake (who had been the owner of GF 8507) with his 4½ litre Bottail Bentley YW 2557. On the right, Rivers with the No. 2 Le Mans Speed Six GF 8507.

"I found a letter from Ian Metcalfe to my father John Hugenholtz (Holland) from October 1945. My father had seen the advertisement in Autocar and Metcalfe wrote to him saying the car was no longer available and with a new owner who was keen to keep the car. So Metcalfe was the seller or acting on behalf of the seller."

Photograph was taken for program for The Historic Vehicle Silver Jubilee Tribute Show in Windsor Park.

W.D.S. Lake's 1928 Le mans 4½ team car

1929 J. C. C. Double Twelve Hour, Brooklands, 10-11 May. The Davis/Gunter Bentley followed by a Frazer Nash and a Riley on the turn on to the Outer Circuit.

1929: In the first 24 hours race at Brooklands the 4½ Litre Bentley of S.C.H. Davis and Sir Ronald Gunter finished second. The race was run on two consecutive days to avoid night racing and was known as the Double Twelve.

Clement and W. O. Bentley in YW 2557 (No. 2).

Toujours au Mans en 1928, la seconde 4,5-litres d'usine (qui ne finira pas la course) passe devant la Lagonda de Samuelson.

The car in above photograph has been identified as Chassis No. KM3088 by our reader Ernst Jan Krudop. Ernst's comment: "The Bobtail 4½" — May 13, 2009