Beschreibung:

1929 BENTLEY 4½-LITRE TWO-SEAT TOURER COACHWORK BY R. HARRISON & SON Registration No. 2893 GBG (Guernsey) Formally GU 9000 (UK) Chassis No. NX 3468 Engine No. NX 3473 Dark blue with black wings and brown trim. Engine: four cylinder in-line, 4,398cc, 110bhp at 3,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed and reverse C-Type box, right hand gear change; Brakes: drum all round; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs with Bentley and Andre-Telecontrol dampers. Right hand drive. By 1926 the 3-litre Bentley was losing its competitive edge and although the 6½-litre was selling well, the Bentley enthusiast was looking for an improved big four cylinder car. W.O. Bentley set about developing such a model using, where possible, 3-litre and 6½-litre componants. The first series of 4½-litres were launched in late 1927 following the success of the prototype car at Le Mans, when it broke the lap record prior to the White House Corner disaster. These early cars used the 10ft 10in 3-litre chassis and the engine was a larger version of the 3-litre using 6½-litre con rods. Eloquent road tests by the motor press of the day, established the new 4½-litre as a very special Bentley and with its outright victory at Le Mans in 1928 and subsequent Brooklands competition successes soon established itself as the worthy successor to the 3-litre. To many Bentley enthusiasts, the big four cylinder 4½-litre with its familiar burbling exhaust, long-legged gait and whine of the straight cut gears symbolises the very best of W.O. Bentley creations. A standard Vanden Plas tourer was capable of a geniune 90mph, but 100mph was possible with Le Mans camshafts and alternative axle ratios. Like all Bentleys, the 4½-litre was intended to be a luxury saloon as much as a sports touring car. This Bentley has kept to its original specification, retaining the original two-seater coachwork as fitted in 1929 by R. Harrison & Son. It was first registered in April 1929 as GU 9000. The original number plates are still fitted to the car beneath the GBG plates. The first owner of the vehicle was Mrs Marshall of Buckingham Gate, London SW1 and between 1929 and 1938 the car was maintained by Bentley Motors. In 1939 the car was sold to Mr E Bird in Kent. The old and new style log books trace the list of owners from the post war period showing the Bentley spent time in Upper Richmond and Queens Club Gardens. It later moved to Oxford and then in 1947, to West Bromwich and it remained with this owner until 1959 when it was bought by the present owner. When acquired it was finished in cream over black which was not to the taste of the new owner who repainted the car in its present blue over black livery. The rear dickey seat had already been modified and turned into a more conventional boot opening from the rear, and a tow bar was fitted. During the past 34 years, the owner has enjoyed virtual trouble free motoring and in the late 1960s Hoffman & Mountford carried out a major overhaul of the engine. Ten years ago, the Bentley and owner moved to Guernsey where the car has been used regularly. On a recent journey it behaved impeccably making all the correct glorious Bentley sounds. There has been no need for any major restoration and consequently has achieved a fine patina of age. The aluminium body is generally sound although the front edge of the bonnet has some defects and the steel wings are a little tatty at the edges. The hood is in good condition and a new tonneau has recently been made. This is an extremely unspoilt and original motor car, suitable for many events and really captures the image and feeling of true vintage motoring at its very best.