1927 Bentley 3/4½-Litre Speed Model Sports, Corsica two-seat coachwork

First registered owner, took delivery of the car new from the factory with Vanden Plas four-seat tourer coachwork and original registration OX 1607.

Prominent Bentley enthusiast and co-founder of the Bentley Drivers' Club; commissioned a bespoke two-seat Corsica body for the car in 1936.

Received the car as a gift from Lycett, reportedly in recognition of work done on his behalf. Undertook a full engine rebuild and various mechanical upgrades, then competed at Monza and Montlhéry in pursuit of 100 miles in the hour.

Well-known vintage racing driver who campaigned the car successfully in BDC and VSCC events, attending Brighton Speed Trials regularly.

Listed in a copy of an old-style logbook on file; preceded the German owner.

German national with a Staffordshire address; the car appears to have moved to Germany during or after his ownership, remaining there until 2005.

Final German owner, based in Germany until around 2005; had the car serviced by vintage Bentley specialist NDR Ltd, who replaced the engine with a rebuilt 4.5-litre unit.

Purchased from NDR Ltd in 2006 and invested approximately £40,000–50,000 in restoration and maintenance work carried out by D H Day of Swindon over the following two years.

Dealer through whose hands the car passed at some point after Williamson's ownership; no specific dates recorded.

First event after McKenzie's mechanical upgrades; the car reportedly performed well following adjustments to the driving position.

One of several attempts to cover 100 miles in one hour; the car is pictured at Monza in published Bentley reference literature.

Subsequent attempts at the 100-miles-per-hour target made at the Montlhéry circuit after earlier Monza runs.

Williamson enjoyed repeated success in BDC competition with this car during his ownership from 1962 onward.

Williamson achieved notable honours in VSCC competition during his tenure with the car.

Attended on a regular basis during Williamson's ownership period.

Original coachwork removed and replaced with a bespoke two-seat open body constructed by Corsica of North London to Forrest Lycett's personal specification.

Body was made to measure for Lycett, requiring later adjustment of the driving position when the car passed to Don McKenzie.

Full engine rebuild carried out after the car was received by Don McKenzie; work included fitting Specialoid pistons to standard bore, replacing ML magnetos with Scintilla units, installing a Borg & Beck clutch with a lightened flywheel, and adding a coaxial starter.

Car had been stored on blocks in a dry, heated lock-up and required this rebuild before being returned to active use.

Further modifications carried out over a winter period; hydraulic brakes, 16-inch wheels, and a lowered radiator were fitted. A triple-carburettor 4½-litre engine was installed in the chassis around 1955.

These upgrades were completed progressively during Don McKenzie's ownership to improve performance for speed record attempts.

The existing engine was replaced by a genuine 4½-litre unit, rebuilt using a Phoenix crankshaft and connecting rods. Note: the crankcase, sump, and cylinder block are reproduction components.

Work carried out on behalf of the previous German owner, Jürgen Pyritz, by Vintage Bentley specialist Neil Davies.

Extensive work undertaken over approximately two years by vintage and historic restoration specialists, covering a broad scope of the car's mechanical and cosmetic condition.

Commissioned by the current vendor after acquiring the car in 2006; total expenditure during this owner's stewardship estimated at £40,000–50,000.

Recent service carried out prior to the auction offering.