1931 Bentley 8-Litre
- Engine
- 7,983cc SOHC inline-six with dual SU HO8 carburetors, 220 bhp
- Colour
- British Racing Green
Chassis YF5013 is the 13th of just 100 Bentley 8-Litres built, originally delivered in March 1931 as a Continental demonstrator to the Paris-based Société Européene Bentley Automobiles, wearing bespoke four-door saloon coachwork by Jacques Saoutchik. After passing through several notable British and American owners, the car was substantially reworked in the 1960s for American collector Norris Allen: the chassis was shortened to Speed Six dimensions and fitted with a new open four-seater body by Swallow Coachbuilding of Coventry. It retains its original engine, axles, radiator, and frame.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,000,000 – US$1,250,000
- 1931 → 1931-12-01Private saleJack Barclaypartial documentation
Acquired as new-old stock following Rolls-Royce's purchase of Bentley; held briefly before selling the following month.
- 1931-03-01 → 1931Factory deliverySociété Européene Bentley Automobiles SApartial documentation
Served as a Continental company demonstrator near Paris; Bentley commissioned Saoutchik coachwork to appeal to local clientele. Registered in France as 4379 RE9.
- 1931-12-01 → 1938-05-01Private saleSir John Jarvisfull documentation
Prominent British politician and longstanding Bentley customer who traded in a 6½-Litre on purchase. Had the car continuously updated and in 1935 commissioned a new all-weather tourer body from Hooper coachbuilders in London.
- 1938-05-01 → 1950Acquisition unknownS.G. Howardpartial documentation
Car was rarely driven during this period, which spanned the Second World War. Still carried the Hooper tourer body throughout this ownership.
- 1950 →Acquisition unknownWentworth L. Rowlandpartial documentation
Acquired the car in 1950; passed it on during the mid-1950s to the first American owner.
- → 1962-12-01Acquisition unknownGeorge C. Chilbergpartial documentation
First American owner; imported the car to the United States from the mid-1950s onward.
- 1962-12-01 → 1995Private saleNorris Allenfull documentation
Respected Rolls-Royce and Bentley collector from St. Louis, Missouri. Commissioned a full restoration into a sporting open four-seater configuration, including a chassis shortening and new bodywork by Swallow Coachbuilding of Coventry. Retained the car until his death.
- 1995 →Private saleBill Fordpartial documentation
Acquired the car following Allen's passing and exhibited it at a Bentley Drivers' Club North America gathering the year after purchase. Described as long-term ownership preceding the current auction.
Competition
- 1996Bentley Drivers' Club North America meet
Displayed by Bill Ford the year following his acquisition of the car.
- —Local concours d'elegance (France)
The car was displayed at a French concours during its early period as a Continental demonstrator; specific event name and date are unrecorded.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1935BodyworkHooper
Original Saoutchik saloon coachwork was replaced by a new all-weather tourer body constructed by Hooper of London.
Commissioned by Sir John Jarvis; the Hooper ledger records relating to this work are included in the accompanying historical documentation.
- —Modification
André Hartford tele-control shock absorbers were fitted as a period upgrade during Sir John Jarvis's ownership.
Carried out sometime between 1931 and 1935 as part of ongoing updates to the car.
- —RestorationSwallow Coachbuilding
Comprehensive sporting restoration commissioned by Norris Allen: the Hooper body was removed, the chassis shortened to approximately the same dimensions as the Speed Six team cars, and a new open four-seater body built by Swallow Coachbuilding of Coventry. Finished in British Racing Green with period-correct Lucas lighting. An overdrive was added to compensate for the reduced gearing resulting from the lighter, shorter configuration. Original radiator, cowl, 1935 engine bonnet, wings, and running boards were retained or suitably modified.
Work carried out after December 1962 acquisition; Dr. Clare Hay's research report validates the car as correctly re-bodied with the majority of original mechanical components intact.
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