• One of only 100 8-Litre models produced
• Known ownership history
• Professionally restored between 2002 and 2007
• Present ownership since 2014

Although the prevailing image of Bentley cars during the Cricklewood period of the company's life is that of out-and-out sports cars and fast tourers, it is often overlooked that W O Bentley made a determined bid for the carriage trade, particularly with his larger 4½-Litre, 6½-Litre and 8-Litre models, and it is largely because of this that Napier's bid for the company in 1931 was thwarted by Rolls-Royce, which doubtless saw that a rejuvenated Bentley company would present strong competition for its own models.

As it is, only 100 examples of the 8-Litre model had been produced before bankruptcy overtook the original Bentley company; had they been in a stronger financial position it might well have been a different story. With a chassis price of £1,850, the 8-Litre Bentley was in direct competition with the Rolls-Royce Phantom II while offering better performance, and the contemporary motoring press was lavish with its praise for the 8-Litre model. The latter had debuted at the 1930 London Motor Show and was the largest-engined car made in the UK at that time and arguably the fastest. Bentley's advertising claimed '100mph without noise' and tests bore out that claim, the 8-Litre being fully capable of the 'ton' even when burdened with weighty formal coachwork. As W O Bentley himself said: "I have wanted to produce a dead silent 100mph car, and now I think we have done it."

Around 78 8-Litre cars are known to have survived, most of them having had their original saloon or limousine bodies replaced by new replicas of the perennially popular 'Le Mans' body, as is the case with this fine example. Originally bodied by Carlton as a saloon, chassis number 'YM5046' was registered as 'PN 9513' on 27th May 1932 and first owned by one R O Hambro of Forest Row, Sussex. The car was sold without guarantee by Jack Barclay following the takeover of Bentley Motors by Rolls-Royce. In 1935 the Bentley was sold to G C Usher of Aldwych House, Aldwych, by which time it had covered approximately 20,000 miles. By 1939 the mileage total had increased to around 50,000 but little more is known of the car's history until after WW2.

In 1951 'PN 9513' was registered to Alfred Butler of Scholes near Leeds, at which time it appears to have had a shooting brake body fitted. In 1956 the Bentley was owned by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds and had been fitted with a diesel engine. In 1967 the car was acquired by Chris Posnett of Barton Malpas, one of six 8-Litre Bentleys that he bought as what would turn out to be a very wise investment. Mr Posnett fitted an original 8-Litre engine ('YX5101', ex 'YM5029') which was reputed to have been in the racing Sunbeam, 'Tigress'. By this time the body had been removed. Mr Posnett did little to the car before it was sold to the previous owner in 2002 in a semi-derelict state: still without a body but mechanically largely complete. Between 2002 and 2007 the Bentley was totally rebuilt by renowned marque specialist Wayne Huckle in Lincolnshire, who completed the car in the style of the famous Le Mans Bentleys, according to an old sales advertisement for this car.

Following the rebuild's completion and a running-in period in the UK, 'PN 9513' was shipped to South Africa for the 6th International Vintage Bentley Tour in October 2007. Once fully run in, the 8-Litre demonstrated its exceptional capabilities, exceeding 100 mph with ease and completing the 3,500-mile marathon without incident. In the company of a number of others, the car was then shipped from South Africa to New Zealand where it took part in the Vintage Bentley Tour of New Zealand of 2008 in February of that year. Other than a minor problem with the dynamo, 'PN 9513' performed magnificently on this 3,500-mile tour over challenging roads, many rivalling the Alps for gradient and the frequency of hairpin bends. Since its acquisition by the current vendor over 10 years ago, the car has been used for rallies and events in Europe, including the 2013 Sinaia Concours d'Elegance in Romania (photographs on file).

On 24th April 2024 the Bentley was inspected and an Oldtimertaxatie Valuation Report issued (copy on file). The report's conclusion was generally favourable. Recommissioning would be required before this magnificent 'W O' Bentley returns to the road (it is currently running and driving). Additional paperwork consists of current registration papers; copies of an old UK logbook and copy of a V5 registration document; a copy of the service history (1932-1939); and ownership history since new.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.