1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Cadogan Tourer
- Engine
- 4.5L inline-four
Bentley 4½-Litre chassis DS3570, bodied by Cadogan Motors and despatched in July 1929, is an original-numbers example with a documented history spanning nearly a century. Following early use as a demonstrator by Gaffikin Wilkinson, it passed through several British owners including a period of active Bentley Drivers' Club use. A chassis-frame and front-axle replacement occurred after a 1930s accident, using genuine new-old-stock factory components. The bodywork was modernised in 1938 by H.M. Bentley, and a more recent restoration by James Pearce & Company returned the car to touring fitness.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £420,000 (≈ $525K)
- —Auction saleSold US$687,000
- 1929-07-22 →Factory deliveryCadogan Motors (1928)full documentation
Chassis dispatched to this coachbuilder on 22 July 1929; believed to have subsequently served as a demonstrator vehicle through London dealer Gaffikin Wilkinson before reaching its first private owner.
- → 1930-07-01Acquisition unknownGaffikin Wilkinsonpartial documentation
Prominent London dealer believed to have used the car as a demonstrator before it was sold on to a private buyer in Scotland.
- 1930-07-01 → 1932Private saleD.C. Cowans Fairweatherpartial documentation
First private owner, based in Angus, Scotland; car was registered in Aberdeen under the mark SR 7702.
- 1932 →Private saleG. Ellispartial documentation
London-based owner during whose tenure the car suffered an accident requiring replacement of both the chassis frame and front axle using new old-stock components; the replacement frame retained the original chassis number, suggesting a factory service installation.
- → 1938Acquisition unknownJ. Armstrongpartial documentation
London owner who acquired the car around 1935 or 1936; during his ownership the car was modified by dealer H.M. Bentley, including door alterations in a sporting style and updated bodywork, shock absorbers, and fuel tank.
- 1946 → 1946Acquisition unknownJohn Harrispartial documentation
Well-regarded member of the Bentley Drivers' Club who held the car briefly before it passed to the next owner the same year.
- 1946 → 1948Acquisition unknownCaptain H.A.K. Laypartial documentation
- 1967 → 2007Acquisition unknownK.J.R. Tannerpartial documentation
Most notable owner in the post-war chain; retained the car for several decades and was an active participant in Bentley Drivers' Club events during this period.
- 2007 →Private saleOwner after 2007 salepartial documentation
Had the bodywork professionally restored by James Pearce & Company, preserving the earlier H.M. Bentley alterations while making further refinements suited to extended touring use.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1932Repair
Accident damage required replacement of the chassis frame and front axle; both were sourced as new-old-stock factory components, with the replacement frame stamped with the original chassis number DS3570, consistent with a factory Service Department fitment.
The replacement axle does not carry a number, distinguishing it from the original.
- 1938ModificationH.M. Bentley
Coachwork was updated in period fashion: front doors were cut down in a sporting style, and the wings, running boards, and valances were modernised. Telecontrol shock absorbers and an oversized fuel tank were also added.
Work carried out while the car was in the care of H.M. Bentley, the builder's brother.
- —RestorationJames Pearce & Company
Body restored after the 2007 sale; the 1938 H.M. Bentley coachwork modifications were preserved while further changes were made to support reliable extended-distance touring.
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