1925 Bentley 3-Litre chassis in 4½-Litre Le Mans 'Old Mother Gun' style, Vanden Plas coachwork
- Engine
- 4.4L OHC inline-four, ~100 bhp, built on a supercharged-spec block with performance camshaft, high-compression pistons, and uprated oiling
A Bentley 3-Litre chassis (no. 911), originally delivered in Melbourne in January 1925 with Freestone & Webb drophead coupé coachwork, was converted from 2003 onward into a faithful recreation of the famous 1928 Le Mans-winning 4½-Litre 'Old Mother Gun.' The chassis was shortened and modified to Le Mans specification, fitted with a performance-built 4½-Litre engine, and clothed in period-correct Vanden Plas-style aluminium coachwork. Subsequent owners added further mechanical improvements, and the car has been used on tours and rallies.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$682,000
- 1925 →Factory deliveryOriginal Australian ownerpartial documentation
Car delivered new to Melbourne, Australia, fitted with a drophead coupe body by Freestone & Webb on chassis 911.
- 2003 → 2008Acquisition unknownBrian Husseypartial documentation
Acquired the car as a restoration candidate; the original coachwork was unsalvageable, so he commissioned a comprehensive rebuild to Le Mans specification rather than a factory-original restoration.
- 2008 →Private saleSwiss enthusiastpartial documentation
Reportedly spent around £30,000 on further mechanical improvements including drivetrain components, new racing pistons, and engine tuning.
- 2012 →Private saleSam and Emily Mannpartial documentation
Added to their vintage vehicle collection; further mechanical sorting was carried out during their tenure, including suspension and brake work by specialist restorers.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003Restoration
Complete disassembly and conversion to Le Mans specification: chassis shortened by 2½ inches, struts fitted, springs re-tempered and remounted, brakes rebuilt with finned drums, and period 20-inch wire wheels installed. Engine built on a 4½-Litre 'Blower'-spec block with performance internals including a Reece camshaft, Phoenix crankshaft, high-compression pistons, and uprated oiling. Drivetrain included a lightened flywheel, rebuilt gearbox, balanced propshaft, and new differential. Vanden Plas-style aluminium bodywork framed by Rod Wariner; interior trimmed in Muirhead leather by James Pearce.
Work commissioned by Brian Hussey; the 4½-Litre block was sourced from the late Russ 'Rusty' Turner. Accessories fitted included period Lucas headlamps, Klaxon horns, and dual Brooklands-type windscreens.
- 2012ServiceBlakeney Motorsport
Initial fettling and sorting of the car shortly after acquisition by the Mann family.
Blakeney Motorsport is based in Buntingford, Hertfordshire.
- 2016MechanicalD.L. George Historic Motorcars
Suspension rebuilt with correct rod-end springs; brakes rebuilt and improved; new rear wheel hubs and spring shackle bushings installed; alternator rebuilt.
Work carried out at D.L. George Historic Motorcars in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, a specialist in vintage Bentley restoration.
- —Mechanical
Further investment by the Swiss owner reportedly totalling around £30,000, covering a new alternator, starter motor, cross-shaft assembly, new racing pistons, and general engine tuning for increased output.
Work carried out during Swiss ownership, exact date unrecorded.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.