1924 Bentley 3-Litre 'Simplex' Drophead Coupé

Coachwork by H J Mulliner Registration no. CF 5654 Chassis no. 747

Footnotes

With characteristic humility 'W O' was constantly amazed by the enthusiasm of later generations for the products of Bentley Motors Limited, and it is testimony to the soundness of his engineering design skills that so many of his products have survived. From the humblest of beginnings in a mews garage off Baker Street, London in 1919 the Bentley rapidly achieved fame as an exciting fast touring car, well able to compete with the best of European and American sports cars in the tough world of motor sport in the 1920s. Bentley's domination at Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 is legendary, and one can only admire the Herculean efforts of such giants as Woolf Barnato, Jack Dunfee, Tim Birkin and Sammy Davis, consistently wrestling the British Racing Green sports cars to victory. Bentley's first car was the famed 3-Litre, approximately 1,600 of which were made between 1919 and 1929, the majority being bodied by Vanden Plas with either open tourer or saloon coachwork.

The following description draws heavily on the typically thorough illustrated report on '747' compiled in February 2019 by renowned marque authority, Dr Clare Hay (perusal recommended). Bonhams would like to extend its thanks to Dr Hay for her assistance.
Chassis number '747' was built in 1924 as a Standard model on the 10' 10" wheelbase, and left the Cricklewood works fitted with engine number '756'. The latter number is stamped to the magneto turret and cam chest, while the crankcase is stamped '726'. Engine number '726' originated in chassis number '714', as did this car's gearbox ('226'), and it seems likely that these components were swapped during the 1930s while both cars were in Ireland. Built by H J Mulliner, one of London's foremost coachbuilders, the drophead coupé body is almost certainly the original, albeit converted from two-seats-plus-dickey to the current arrangement of a close-coupled four-seater with boot (see below).

Retailed via Gaffikin Wilson, one of the major Bentley dealers in London, this 3-Litre was registered (as 'CF 5654') on 1stNovember 1924, its first owner being Francis William Rhodes of Dalham Hall, Newmarket. In 1927 the Service Record lists a new owner - C L Warwick of Hadley Wood Hertfordshire - followed almost immediately by D W MacGregor of Sherborne, Dorset and London. Passing through the hands of two more owners in the early 1930s (Messrs C Ide and J Royds respectively), 'CF 5654' was resold by Bentley Motors to F C Butterworth of Carrickmines, County Dublin, Ireland in August 1933. This 3-Litre's low-geared steering and well-base wheels and tyres are typical of updates carried out by Bentley Motors in the 1930s to cars offered for resale. It seems likely that the aforementioned alterations to the body were carried out at around this time together with converting the windscreen from three panes to a single pane. The last entry in the Service Record lists J E Walsh of Tivoli, Cork as owner in 1935.

There is the usual wartime gap in the Bentley's history, the next owner being Samuel Alexander Wallace in 1952, as recorded in the Suffolk County Archives at Bury St Edmunds. The next owner was J Ellis (1959) and then J M P Ott in the USA (1962). Resident in the United States for several years, the Bentley had returned to the UK by 1980. Offered for sale by Roland Duce, it was next owned by Brian Mather (from 1981) followed by K W Tams (1985), Robert D B Mills (1997), Robert H Brown (2003) and Adam Singer (2009). The current vendor acquired 'CF 5654' some half-a-dozen years ago.

It is understood that the car was restored during the 1980s while owned by the aforementioned K W Tams. Works carried out included a complete engine overhaul, replacing defective body frame woodwork, fitting new aluminium panels as necessary, re-upholstering the seats and door cards, installing new carpets, and a re-spray. Dated 1988, the only related bill in the history file is from S Brunt Ltd of Silverdale, Staffordshire for the engine rebuild.

There are subsequent invoices from Goudhurst Services (October 2002 and February 2003) for servicing work, new hub spinners, starter motor rebuild, etc. Later invoices detail new white metal bearings by Formhalls and the con-rods being crack-tested prior to engine re-assembly by Stuart Fearnside in 2008.

A specification sheet on file from previous owner Robert Mills which was compiled circa 2001 states that the Bentley sported a BM2391 camshaft with the rear bearing modification, B-type four-speed manual gearbox, reconditioned 3.785 (Speed Model) crown wheel and pinion, new 4.5 Litre-type water pump (with the pump drive gear running in an oil bath), negative earth electrics, Kenlowe fan, Smiths five-jet carburettor, modern full flow oil filter conversion, 4 1/2 Litre steering box (very desirable), replacement main thrust bearing, Stage II Perrot shafts and modern oil seals for the half shafts' extremities. Mr Miles completed a 3,500-mile tour of New Zealand with the Bentley Drivers' Club in 1999. Subsequently rallied by the vendor on numerous BDC events in the UK and overseas including the 2014 North America Vintage Bentley Meet, and more recently on the Vintage Sports-Car Club Champagne Rally in 2018.

'747' has been maintained by marque specialist Stuart Fearnside of S F Racing since 2010, and if offered in ready to use condition. One of relatively few Cricklewood Bentleys retaining its original body, 'CF 5654' represents an ideal acquisition with which to enjoy the many celebrations planned for the marque's 100th Anniversary in 2019.