1928 Bentley 4½ Liter Le Mans-Style Tourer
Replica Vanden Plas

Coachwork by VBE Restorations

4,398cc SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
4 Overhead Valves Per Cylinder
110bhp at 3,500rpm
4-Speed C-Type Manual Gearbox
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Delightfully charismatic Le Mans style Tourer
*Retaining matching chassis, engine and drivetrain
*Fresh restoration by marque specialist Tim Creswell of VBE Restorations
*Participant of this year's North American Bentley Tour and highly event eligible

THE BENTLEY 4½ LITER

W.O. Bentley proudly debuted 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. In only mildly developed form, this was the model which was to become a legend in motor racing history and which, with its leather-strapped bonnet, classical 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). However, by the middle of the decade the 3-Liter's competitiveness was on the wane and this, together with the fact that too many customers had been tempted to fit unsuitably heavy coachwork to the excellent 3-liter chassis rather than accept the expense and complexity of Bentley's 6½-liter.

The new 4½-liter model effectively employed the chassis, transmission and brakes of the 3-liter, combined with an engine that was in essence two-thirds of the six-cylinder 6½-liter unit. Thus, the new four-cylinder motor retained the six's 100x140mm bore/stroke and Bentley's familiar four-valves-per-cylinder fixed-'head architecture but reverted to the front-end vertical camshaft drive of the 3-liter. Bentley Motors lost no time in race-proving its new car. The new model also retained that "bloody thump", as noted Bentley owner Walter Foden referred to it, a characteristic that enables one to clearly identify a 4-cylinder Bentley from many miles away. Bentley Motors wasted no time in proving the new car in competition. The prototype 4½ nicknamed 'Old Mother Gun' as a rhyme for No. 1, was entered in that year's Grand Prix d'Endurance at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

At Le Mans in 1927 'Old Mother Gun' driven by Frank Clement and Leslie Callingham, promptly set the fastest race lap of 73.41mph before being eliminated in the infamous 'White House Crash' multiple pile-up. She returned to Le Mans in 1928 to win outright.

The 4½-liter was produced for three years, and all but 11 of the 662 cars were built on the 10' 10"-wheelbase chassis, with the balance built on the 9 foot 9½ inch wheelbase.

Purchasers of the 4½-liter model were, in common with those of all vintage-period Bentleys, free to specify their preferences from a very considerable range of mechanical and electrical equipment, in addition to whatever body style and coachbuilder might be required. The most iconic were the cars fitted with tourer bodies by Vanden Plas, who provided 669 bodies from 1922 to 1931.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

According to a copy of the original factory records, this particular 4½ was delivered to its first owner Mr. T Ryan in May 1928. It is listed as a 10'10 standard wheelbase with a Staybright finish bonnet and fasteners fitted. Like many 4½ liters, it is listed as being originally fitted with a Weymann patent Saloon built by Albany Coachbuilders. Mr. Ryan retained the car until 1929 when it passed to its next owner P. Morley Horder.

In 1937, it is noted in the factory records that the car was shortened to a 9 ft 9½ ins, short wheelbase specification and was rebodied most likely to a two seater form, a relatively common practice at this time. The car then passed through a series of short-term British owners. After the war in 1949, it was in the ownership of William "Horace" Rose, and then it passed to the ownership of F.C. Eggins. F.C. Eggins also owned another 4½, FB3306, and during this ownership, the engines were swapped.

The car was brought to the United States in 1963 by C.B. Seaman, who retained the car for two years before selling it to a long-term custodian, Roy G. Wild. Mr Wild was an ardent Bentley enthusiast and won a long-distance driving award at the RROC national meet in Monterey, CA after driving the car from Ohio to attend in 1967. Mr. Wild would also bring the car to the inaugural North American Vintage Bentley meet in 1981. The car remained in his possession until his passing in 2006. At this time, the car was purchased from Mr. Wild's estate by a Midwest-based Bentley enthusiast.

After much debate, it was decided to restore the vehicle and the job was entrusted to marque specialist Tim Creswell of VBE restorations. Not limiting the work to just cosmetics, the efforts would further extend to the mechanicals of the Bentley. As part of that process VBE were able to locate the original engine crankcase and reunited it with the car. During the crankcase swap the engine was fully inspected and was seen to be in extremely good order having been rebuilt with new components. In addition, the new Phoenix counterbalance crankshaft and rods have been converted to shell bearings. The Bentley has also received a new radiator courtesy of Vintage Car Radiator Company in the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the crude two-seater body was replaced by the new VDP styled tourer body seen on the car today. This included proper Le Mans detailing, such as pattern dashboard switches. To complete the look of the 24 hour endurance classic, a Le Mans spec tank and wings were also fitted. The body trimming was also done at VBE and is to a very high standard. It was also decided to forego the usual green and finish the car in black. The end result of this restoration is truly spectacular.

This year the car participated in the North American Vintage Bentley Meet and completed the 1,000 mile tour without incident, proving the quality of VBE workmanship. The car was taken on a test drive by a Bonhams specialist at the time of consignment and they can report that it performed beautifully. The engine rotates smoothly and equally provides an ample amount of low-end torque. The gearbox shifts beautifully, and the chassis has impeccable road manners. The brakes are very well set-up and stop the car with great authority.

The 4½ Bentley is considered by many to be the best vintage Bentley for serious road rallying, and examples have competed on the Colorado Grand, California Mille, and even the Paris to Peking. The overall ruggedness of the chassis and ample power output makes them a joy to drive and they are much nimbler than 6½ or 8 Liters. Thanks to the wonderful work performed on the Bentley, this example would make an excellent event car for the enthusiast. It is reported to be 'on the button' and ready for any number of touring and road rally adventures.