Vehicle Description
Virtually every vintage Bentley enthusiast holds a special place in
their heart for the heroic Cricklewood-built 3-Litre; the car that
started it all for W.O. Bentley when the very first prototype was
fired up in 1919. By the following year, Bentley had demonstrator
on the road, and by 1921 customers began taking delivery of their
magnificent new sports cars. In the hands of works drivers and
privateer sportsmen alike, the stout, powerful 3-litre
four-cylinder would soon be heard roaring along the great racing
circuits of the world. Just a few short years later, a 3-litre
brought Bentley its first outright win at LeMans, followed by
another win in 1927 that lead to a win streak that lasted until
1930. For a motor company that had been founded just a few short
years prior, such results were quite astonishing. The resounding
success of the 3-litre was a testament to the exceptional talent of
W.O. Bentley. The large four-cylinder engine featured four valves
per cylinder, pent-roof combustion chambers, an overhead camshaft,
and twin-plug ignition. The cars were not only powerful but
incredibly well-built, with a light but strong chassis that could
handle whatever abuse that was thrown at it. Customers could choose
from three states of tune as well as three different chassis
lengths depending on their wishes, and the 3-litre proved to be an
incredibly versatile machine, with bodies (many by Bentley's
favored coachbuilder Vanden Plas) ranging from touring limousines
to outright racers. Today, these early Cricklewood Bentleys are
highly prized for their spirited performance, robust quality, and
unrivaled competition legacy. It is with great pleasure that we
offer this 3-litre Bentley, chassis number AP311; a highly
desirable short-chassis "Red Label" Speed model with Super Sports
upgrades performed by the factory. Outstanding in every respect,
this matching-numbers example is one of just 830 cars built on the
shorter 9 ft. 9 � in. wheelbase chassis, of which just 513 were red
label Speed Models. It is understood that this is the only car so
equipped with a Super Sports engine (the remaining Super Sports
rode on the race-spec 9-foot chassis). According to Bentley
Driver's Club records, the first owner of AP311 was Sir Warden
Chilcott, notable for being a friend and political confidant of Sir
Winston Churchill. Chilcott's Bentley was delivered on the 11th of
December, 1925 wearing a sports four-seater body by Saunders of
Cowes, one of just two Bentleys bodied by the firm - both,
incidentally, for Sir Chilcott. First registered YM 1462, it is
believed the enthusiastic Chilcott retained his Bentley through
1933 and in that time, he used the car quite regularly, returning
to Bentley's Works department for service and upgrades. Equipped
with twin S.U. "sloper" carburetors, dual magnetos and
high-compression pistons, there's little doubt of the 100 mph
potential of this magnificent Bentley. As is typical, the ownership
history goes quiet during the wartime period, with BDC records
picking back up again with Dr. W. Mayne of Bristol, England then
with John Douglas who is seen in period photos from the 1950s with
the car wearing a body of unknown origins. Sometime thereafter,
AP311 was exported to the United States where it would eventually
join the collection of the famed Texas-based architect O'Neil Ford,
remaining with him from 1964-1984. From 1984 to 2007, AP311 was in
the hands of well-known Bentley enthusiast Richard A. "Dick"
Burdick who performed the exceptionally high-quality restoration
while AP311 was in his tenure. The current Vanden Plas-style
Weymann-type coachwork was supplied to Mr. Burdick by the highly
respected James E. Pearce Coachbuilders of England in the 1980s.
The rest of the car has since been fully restored to concours
standardsand presents in truly impeccable condition. While
undergoing restoration, it was determined to be an incredibly
original car, backed by Bentley Driver's Club documents showing
period Works upgrades to Super Sports specification. The serial
number is found stamped on all of the major components, including
the chassis, rear axle, bonnet sides, interior switch plate, and
gearbox. The engine number, SS HP 376 designates this as a 100mph
Super Sports unit, also verified by the correct 4,000 RPM
tachometer. Period factory modifications include the addition of a
large-capacity sump and high-performance oil pump, and it is
believed that the long-skirt pistons were fitted by Bentley at the
time of the engine rebuild in 1930. Fitted with a host of highly
desirable factory speed parts such as twin "sloping" S.U. Carbs, a
close ratio six-bolt gearbox, finned drums, and twin Bosch
magnetos, there is no doubt that Sir Chilcott's Bentley was built
with performance in mind. Today, it features a modern electric fuel
pump cleverly fitted inside the Autovac tank to aid in reliable
running in all conditions. Beautifully restored, the engine is a
magnificent work of art highlighted by jewel-like polished brass
carbs, bare alloy castings as original, and fastidiously detailed
fittings and hardware. Cosmetically, the restoration could not be
finer. The body is finished to a very high standard in green
Rexine-type fabric with green painted wings and bonnet, all in
excellent order. Detailing is exquisite, with precisely fit doors,
a high quality folding canvas top, and the beautifully restored
fittings and German silver radiator shell. The cabin is trimmed in
traditional green leather on the seats and interior panels, with
matching green wool carpets. The dash retains its original
instrumentation, restored and fully functioning. The quality is
outstanding, and since the restoration was completed it has been
maintained in impeccable condition. Included in the sale is a
comprehensive history file, including copies of drawings of the car
by O'Neil Ford, restoration photos and Bentley Driver's Club
documents. The original registration plate was carefully preserved
as part of the restoration and is now framed for display. Surely
one of the finest and most authentic 3-litre Cricklewood Bentleys
available today, this is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a
beautifully restored example of the legendary model that built the
Bentley legacy.
