1931 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged 'Blower'
- Engine
- 4.4L SOHC inline-four, four valves per cylinder, Roots-type supercharger, 182 bhp
Chassis MS3929 is one of only 50 customer Blower Bentleys built, a supercharged 4½-Litre car completed in 1931 and bodied by Vanden Plas in 1933 as a four-passenger tourer — the last W.O.-era car to receive that coachwork. After early British ownership it moved to South Africa, returned to the UK post-war, and spent time in the United States before being acquired by its long-term owner in 1987. A 1990 restoration fitted a lightweight replica two-seater sports body modelled on the famous Brooklands racer, while the original Vanden Plas body was preserved and accompanies the car. Crucially, the chassis, engine, gearbox, and supercharger are all believed original, making this among the most mechanically intact surviving Blowers.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$4,015,000
- 1933 →Factory deliveryA. Ansellpartial documentation
First registered owner; car delivered with Vanden Plas four-passenger tourer body number 1829 and registered as JB 1850. This was the final W.O. Bentley fitted with original Vanden Plas coachwork.
- 1933 → 1934Acquisition unknownR.S. Meadfull documentation
Well-known Maidenhead motor dealer who acquired the car in 1933 per factory service records.
- 1934-04-01 →Private saleC.E. Robinsonfull documentation
Purchased the car through the showroom of H.M. Bentley, W.O. Bentley's brother, and later sold it back to H.M. Bentley.
- → 1936Private saleH.M. Bentleypartial documentation
Brother of W.O. Bentley; repurchased the car from C.E. Robinson before passing it on in 1936.
- 1936 → 1937Acquisition unknownJ.M. Campbellpartial documentation
Brief ownership before the car was exported to South Africa.
- 1937 →Acquisition unknownDr. T.W. Stephenspartial documentation
Shipped the car to Cape Town, South Africa, in late 1937; retained it through World War II. The car was driven by Oscar Heim during this period, with a report published in the Cape Times in April 1939.
- → 1957Acquisition unknownM.C.C. Haycraftpartial documentation
Believed to be a friend of Dr. Stephens and reportedly an RAF Squadron Leader who returned the car to the UK after the war. Identity described as uncertain in the source documentation.
- 1957 → 1962Acquisition unknownJ.D. Clarkpartial documentation
Exported the car from the UK to the United States in 1957.
- 1962 →Acquisition unknownC.M. Crowhurstpartial documentation
- → 1969-02-01Acquisition unknownE.S. Nisbetpartial documentation
- 1969-02-01 → 1979Acquisition unknownJohn Webb de Campipartial documentation
Noted Rolls-Royce and Bentley historian who owned the car for roughly a decade and carried out a restoration retaining the original Vanden Plas coachwork.
- 1979 → 1987Acquisition unknownUnidentified UK-based ownernone documentation
Car returned to the UK in 1979; no named custodian identified for this interim period before 1987.
- 1987 →Acquisition unknownPresent ownerfull documentation
Commissioned a fresh restoration from 1990, including a replica lightweight fabric two-seater body built by Ulf Smith of Sweden. The original Vanden Plas body was retained. The car was FIA-documented and campaigned in major historic events. Engine overhauled between 2011 and 2012 at considerable expense.
Competition
- —Mille Miglia (historic)
The present owner competed in the historic Mille Miglia with this car following FIA acceptance and documentation. Exact year not specified.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1969Restoration
A restoration was carried out retaining the original Vanden Plas four-passenger tourer coachwork, undertaken during John Webb de Campi's ownership.
Completed sometime during de Campi's ownership between 1969 and 1979.
- 1990RestorationUlf Smith
A comprehensive restoration was undertaken in which a new lightweight two-seater sports body and matching fenders were fabricated by Ulf Smith of Sweden, closely replicating the famous fabric body built by Vanden Plas for the number-one Blower Bentley for the 1929 Brooklands 500 Miles Race. The original Vanden Plas body was preserved and crated for safe keeping.
This body change represents the sole modification from the car's original factory specification. The original coachwork accompanies the car at sale.
- 2012Engine rebuild
A thorough engine overhaul was completed between 2011 and 2012, during which worn inner cylinders were replaced; the original cylinders were retained and travel with the car. New brakes were also fitted at this time.
Work reported to have cost approximately $150,000. Records are on file with the present owner.
- —Inspection
The car was formally submitted for FIA acceptance and documentation, qualifying it for participation in major historic motorsport events.
Carried out during the present ownership; the resulting paperwork is part of the car's file.
- —Service
A significant service inspection was completed more recently, described as a comprehensive check with all necessary work carried out.
Reported cost of approximately $25,000; records on file with the present owner.
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