1924 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer
- Engine
- 3.0L inline-four SOHC, four valves per cylinder, twin SU carburettors, ~80 bhp
Chassis 425 is a December 1923-completed Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model, one of only 513 built to that specification. Fitted with twin SU carburettors, a higher-compression engine, and close-ratio gearbox, it develops around 80 bhp for a 90 mph top speed. The four-seat open tourer body is attributed, though not definitively, to Chalmer & Hoyer. Factory records survive to 1937, and the ownership chain is documented through a North American sojourn from roughly 1968 to 1986 and subsequent UK ownership.
Ownership
- 2021-05-19Auction saleSold £180,000 (≈ $225K)
- 1923-12-01 →Factory deliveryF E B Eltonpartial documentation
First registered owner at the time the chassis was completed; original registration EL 8828 associated with this period.
- 1968 → 1986Acquisition unknownUnidentified owner in USA then Canadapartial documentation
Vehicle spent roughly two decades across North America; upon return to the UK it was issued an age-related registration plate before the original mark was later recovered.
- 2003 →Acquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Maintained the car through West Hoathly Garage and subsequently Henal Engineering in East Sussex; most recent documented service was in September 2018 for a water leak.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownR Lippiattpartial documentation
Hampshire-based owner during the 1990s; numerous invoices from this period are retained in the car's file.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003ServiceWest Hoathly Garage
Ongoing maintenance by West Hoathly Garage following the current owner's acquisition of the car.
Servicing bills on file.
- 2018Repair
Water leak investigated and rectified; this is the most recent dated invoice in the file.
- —Service
Various mechanical work carried out while under Hampshire ownership, evidenced by invoices on file dating from the 1990s.
Invoices from this period are retained in the car's file.
- —ServiceHenal Engineering
Subsequent upkeep carried out by Henal Engineering of Hailsham, East Sussex.
Bills on file; this workshop took over maintenance duties from West Hoathly Garage.
- —Service
Regular use and upkeep by a local motor engineer, keeping the car in running order in the period leading up to the sale.
A Bonhams specialist drove the car and noted it appeared to be running well.
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