1931 Bentley 8-Litre Short Chassis Vanden Plas Tourer

London-based Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealers who purchased unsold, uncoachworked chassis following the receivership and subsequent reorganisation of Bentley Motors.

Delivered with a Mayfair four-passenger tourer body; the Baronet had various mechanical and instrumentation improvements carried out between 1932 and 1934, including a revised axle ratio and fuel pump upgrades.

London-based owner who kept the car for over three decades; commissioned an engine and chassis overhaul in 1936, a rear-axle upgrade, and a new sporting Vanden Plas body in 1938. An original British registration document corroborates his extended tenure and identifies the body as a four-seater sports.

Held the car for approximately one year before selling it on.

US-based importer of Löwenbräu beer and collector of classic performance cars; had the vehicle fully restored in the UK by Don McKenzie, with coachwork refinished and re-trimmed by Hooper in Westminster, after which the car resided in the US for approximately 45 years.

Fifth owner since new; returned the car to strong running condition through sympathetic mechanical work, verified during a road test conducted for an RM Sotheby's representative.

Entered by J.C. Babcock; no result recorded in the prose.

A Jaeger speedometer and rev counter were installed.

Carried out during Sir Everard Scarisbrick's ownership.

A higher-ratio 15/53 crown wheel and pinion was fitted, and the original Autovac fuel system was replaced by three SU fuel pumps.

Carried out during Sir Everard Scarisbrick's ownership as part of ongoing mechanical refinement.

Full overhaul of the engine and chassis, plus replacement of the rear axle with a special higher-ratio 16/53 unit.

Commissioned by second owner J.C. Babcock.

Original Mayfair tourer body removed and replaced by a new sporting open four-seater body built by Vanden Plas, featuring a cut-down driver's door, low waistline, and minimal detailing.

Commissioned by J.C. Babcock; the resulting body style closely resembled Vanden Plas's concurrent work on chassis YX5119.

Comprehensive restoration carried out in the United Kingdom, including refinishing and re-trimming of the Vanden Plas body by Hooper and Company.

Restoration work performed by Don McKenzie, son of noted Bentley specialist L.C. McKenzie; coachwork handled by Hooper of Westminster. Car was subsequently shipped to the United States for Hans Dieter Holterbosch. Estimated to have occurred after the 1968 acquisition.

Car returned to robust and reliable running condition, including fitment of an updated modern coil and three SU carburettors in place of earlier induction components.

Carried out under the current owner's tenure; condition verified during a road test conducted for an RM Sotheby's specialist.

Detailed 24-page provenance and condition report compiled by Dr. Clare Hay, confirming the car retains its original matching engine and chassis, with underbonnet finishes largely to factory specification.

Report draws on period photographs and documents spanning the car's full history; engine number stamping noted to be in unusually clear, legible condition.