1930 Bentley 4½-Litre
- Engine
- 4.5L inline-four, capable of ~120 mph in racing trim
Chassis PB3549 is a genuine numbers-matching Bentley 4½-Litre, delivered new on 14 April 1930 to a Scottish baronet and bodied by A.C. Penman & Co. of Dumfries — reputedly the sole W.O.-era Bentley to carry Penman coachwork. After several British owners across four decades, the original coachwork was replaced in the 1970s with a new Vanden Plas-style body by respected specialists. The car later crossed to the United States, where it was fitted with period-inspired cycle fenders and Brooklands-style screens, and has been lightly used at Bentley Drivers' Club and Rolls-Royce Owners' Club events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$698,000
- 1930-04-14 → 1945Factory deliverySir James Wilson, Baronetfull documentation
Original recipient of the car, based in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland. Factory records confirm regular use over many thousands of miles, with ongoing servicing throughout the 1930s.
- 1945 → 1948Acquisition unknownAlexander Archibaldpartial documentation
Held the car briefly before selling it on to a dealer.
- 1948 → 1950Private saleLeonard Potterpartial documentation
An early British dealer in quality motorcars who acquired the Bentley from Archibald.
- 1950 → 1972Private saleJ.B. Chadwickpartial documentation
Held the car for approximately 22 years and carried out substantial restoration work during that period.
- 1972 → 1982Private saleArthur H. Cockspartial documentation
Based in Cornwall; found the mechanical condition sound but the original Penman coachwork deteriorated beyond viable restoration. Commissioned entirely new bodywork in a Vanden Plas style, built by Richard C. Moss and H&H Coachbuilding, with a windshield supplied by James Pearce.
- 1982 → 1985Private saleR. Cutlerpartial documentation
Based in Staffordshire; held the car for approximately three years before it moved to a specialist dealer.
- 1985 → 1986Private saleStanley Mannpartial documentation
Well-known Bentley specialist dealer who offered the car for sale the following year.
- 1986 → 2002Private saleArmand Zildjianpartial documentation
Cymbal manufacturer; first American owner. Added period-influenced cycle wings and Brooklands-style screens, and had the interior retrimmed. Regularly showed the car at Bentley Drivers' Club and Rolls-Royce Owners' Club gatherings in the United States.
- 2002 →Private saleDale Powerspartial documentation
Based in Bradenton, Florida; actively used the Bentley on Bentley Drivers' Club rallies for roughly a decade before it passed to the current collection.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent private collectorpartial documentation
Holds the car as part of a distinguished private collection; it has been kept largely out of public view for approximately a decade.
Competition
- —Bentley Drivers' ClubBentley Drivers' Club rallies
Car participated in multiple BDC events while owned by Armand Zildjian in the United States, and again under Dale Powers for roughly a decade from 2002.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1950Restoration
Substantial restoration work initiated by J.B. Chadwick and maintained over a 22-year ownership period.
No specific scope details given beyond the characterisation of a significant effort.
- 1972BodyworkRichard C. Moss and H&H Coachbuilding
Original Penman coachwork was found to be beyond viable repair; entirely new open coachwork in Vanden Plas style was constructed, with specialist windscreen work also undertaken.
Windscreen supplied by James Pearce. Little original material survived to guide the rebuild, so the new body followed Vanden Plas idiom rather than replicating the Penman original.
- 1986Modification
Appearance upgraded with Le Mans-style aluminium cycle wings and Brooklands-style windscreens; interior retrimmed.
Carried out during or shortly after Armand Zildjian's acquisition of the car.
- —Service
Routine servicing and repairs carried out repeatedly through the 1930s under the first owner's direction, as documented in factory records.
Confirmed by copies of registration handbooks and factory records.
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