5,300cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine, 4 Overhead Valves Per Cylinder (see text)
2 SU Carburetors
140bhp at 3,500rpm
4-Speed Close-Ratio A Type Gearbox
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Servo Assisted Drum Brakes

*Fitted with 5.3 liter engine with an estimated 140hp
*Charismatic Old Mother Gun style Le Mans Replica
*Eligible for many events, perfect for high speed tours
*Great looking Vintage Bentley
*Best of both worlds, 3 Liter handling with big Bentley performance

THE 3 LITER BENTLEY

W.O. Bentley proudly unveiled the new 3-Liter car bearing his name on Stand 126 at the 1919 Olympia Motor Exhibition, the prototype engine having fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. Bentley's four-cylinder 'fixed head' engine incorporated a single overhead camshaft, four-valves per cylinder, with hemispherical combustion chambers, and a bore/stroke of 80x149mm. Twin ML magnetos provided the ignition and power was transmitted via a four-speed gearbox with right-hand change. The pressed-steel chassis started off with a wheelbase of 9' 9½" then adopted dimensions of 10' 10" ('Standard Long') in 1923. Rear wheel brakes only were employed up to 1924 when four-wheel Perrot-type brakes were introduced.

In only mildly developed form, this was the model that was to become a legend in motor racing history and which, with its leather-strapped bonnet, classic radiator design and British Racing Green livery, has become the archetypal Vintage sports car. Early success in the 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, when Bentleys finished second, fourth, and fifth to take the Team Prize, led to the introduction of the TT Replica (later known as the Speed Model) on the existing 9' 9½" wheelbase, short standard chassis. Identified by the Red Label on its radiator, the Speed Model differed by having twin SU 'sloper' carburetors, a higher compression ratio, different camshaft and the close-ratio A-type gearbox. These engine changes increased maximum power from the standard 70 to 80bhp and raised top speed to an impressive 90mph, with Hillstead the factory demonstration driver shifting nonchalantly from 2nd to 3rd gear at over 60mph. Other enhancements included the larger (11-gallon) fuel tank and (usually) André Hartford shock absorbers. Bentley made approximately 1,600 3-Liter models, the majority of which were bodied by Vanden Plas with either open tourer or saloon coachwork.

In the 1930s it became very popular to rebuild W.O. Bentleys into faster and more sporting cars. One of the first modifications was to fit 4 1/2-liter engines into 3 liter chassis. W.O. Bentley's brother H.M. Bentley, and "Mac" Mckenzie Gubby, who in the BDC was referred to as the High Priest, did a number of these conversations. These cars referred to as 3/4.5 have become the favorite cars of numerous Bentley Drivers Club members.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

According to factory records Chassis 712 first delivered in July of 1924. This speed model chassis was originally fitted with a Vanden Plas tourer body and was finished in blue. Its first owner was the Hon Maynard Grenville. He would retain the car until 1930. According to Clare Hays "Bentley The Vintage Years, third edition" the car passed through 3 other known owners in the 1930s, and was rebodied twice, first as a saloon, and then again as a tourer. Its history during the war is not known, but by the wars end it was in the possession of Mr. Vaughan Davis. Vaughan Davis was a legend in the BDC and for years campaigned the Bentley Jackson Special "Old Mother Gun" at various racing events and was an extremely active member of the BDC.

Mr. Davis last registered the car in 1948 and would retain the car until the his passing in the late 1990s. The car passed into the ownership of BDC, and Benjerfield club member Spencer Flak. Mr. Flak's intention was to build a fast 3/4.5 for racing. He began the project by purchasing an extremely powerful 5.3-liter four-cylinder engine from Neil Davis. The 5.3 is a development of the standard 4.5 engine and utilized a special block with the bore of the 8 Liter Bentley. Sadly, he did not see the project completed as he was tragically killed in a vintage racing accident while racing a BRM is Australia.

The unfinished project was purchased from the estate by Mr. David Ayre, a well-known Vintage Bentley restorer. As the car had been owned for a year by Vaughan Davis and was a stable mate of Old Mother Gun, it seemed fitting, and a tribute to Vaughan Davis to rebuild the car in the guise of Old Mother Gun circa 1928.

Mr. Ayre's work is well known for producing very fast vintage Bentleys and this car certainly fits into this category fitted with an A Type gearbox, Le Mans 3.3-1 axle ratio, and scintilla magnetos. He also installed late stage three brakes with a Clayton Dewandre servo to ensure the car could be driven with extreme confidence.

Around the time the car was scheduled to be finished, a 6.5 Liter project car became available, and Mr. Ayre decided to sell the car. The car was then acquired by the consigner, a Bentley enthusiast in the states. Along with some research help from Dr. Tim Houlding the car was finished. The consigner took delivery of the car in South Africa and took part in the 2008 three thousand-mile Bentley tour. Since taking delivery of the car, it has completed, one NAVBM, and three US/UK tours, nearly 15,000 trouble free miles

In recent years the 3 Liter fitted with a 5.3 engine has become extremely popular tour car in the BDC. These cars offer the excellent handling of a 3 Liter, while the 5.3 4 cylinder has a tremendous amount of torque, and can easily keep pace with any other Bentley, even blowers. With 2019 being the hundredth anniversary of Bentley Motors, now is the perfect time to acquire this well sorted and superb Vintage Bentley.