Vehicle Description
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. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6537-1922-bentley-3-litre/