** This listing is part of our Collector's Edition 2 Preview event taking place on Saturday, 14th March. Register to attend here. ** The sale will end on Saturday 21st March

Highlights

A rare and important Speed Model with its 9' 9 1/2" chassis number NR 515
First registered in 1927, the most famous year in Bentley history
The current private keeper acquired the car in 2016
Sympathetically uprated with a Vanden Plas light touring body
Continuous history from new
Increased capacity to 5.3-litre with Phoenix Crankshaft, capable of 200 bhp
Recently rebuilt rear axle with a new overdrive system fitted

The Appeal

No year has ever been quite as important in Bentley’s history as 1927. Despite almost all of its cars crashing out, that year Old Number Seven grabbed Le Mans victory. It would be the start of a four-year dominant run at the famous circuit. Elsewhere, Old Mother Gun won the Paris Grand Prix, and the 41/2-Litre arrived. The Bentley Boys era was firmly established.

This car’s chassis, NR515, was first registered in March that year. We’re told it has a continuous history since then, the highlights of which you can see in the photos. Now fitted with a Vanden Plas light touring body, it is a magnificent example of the ‘3/41/2’. Importantly, this Le Mans style tourer Speed model looks resplendent in British Racing Green with its racing roundels, period decals and characterful red leather cabin.

Beneath the cowled bonnet lies a reworked 4.5-litre engine that was built in December 1926. It has been carefully developed to deliver 200 bhp thanks to its new 5.3-litre displacement and a Phoenix Crankshaft. Other work includes a rear axle recently rebuilt by NDR of Watford, a new overdrive unit, a new clutch and starter motor. We’ve included the full list of recent work below.

The vendor informs us that the car starts on the button, is totally reliable with virtually no oil leaks, and is ready for racing track usage should the new owner desire. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a comprehensively sorted Speed Model with impeccable provenance. It is equally at home touring through Europe or participating in historic motorsport events.

The vendor says:

“Fantastic car to tour through Europe at high speeds with a new overdrive system fitted keeping the revs extremely low.”

History and Paperwork

UK market car
First registered March 1927
DVLA records seven keepers but due to DVLA record keeping this may be higher
Current keeper since November 2016
Email records and vendor confirms first registration
DVLA records first registration as 1925 which we understand to be an error
Registration number 'YE8532'
Continuous history from new advised by the vendor
Original 9' 9 1/2" Speed Model chassis number NR 515
MOT and tax exempt
V5C present
Large history file of invoices and copies of handwritten notes

The Condition

Features original chassis of 9’ 9 1/2” Speed Model number NR 515.
Attractive dark British Racing Green paintwork in generally very good condition
Paintwork augmented with racing roundel, Union Jack and other vinyls
Paintwork shows a few chips, scuffs and marks commensurate with age and vehicle type
Vanden Plas light touring body with four seats
Originally delivered with Sport Skiff body by Felber
Painted wire wheels with matching spare and vintage tyres
Wires are in good order with light chips to note in photos
Some light damage to exterior fittings captured in the photos
Black folding fabric roof in good condition with pair of tonneaus as shown
Burgundy red leather interior showing a lovely gentle patina to interior surfaces
Red carpets match seats and ‘B’ embossed door cards
Engine turned aluminium dashboard with classic Bentley dials

This Speed really is a magnificent, imposing, and, well, let's be honest, illustrious machine. You can just imagine it barrelling down the Mulsanne Straight, ‘Benjy’ Benjafield holding grimly onto the wheel, intent on victory. Its VDP touring body replaces the original Sport Skiff body by Felber and is built on a 91/2 in Speed Model chassis number NR515. BRG paintwork, Union Jacks, roundels, and other decals neatly reference that era. It’s all tastefully done and adds to the mystique of this much-historied car.

Those references are only part of its abundant character. Inside, the four-seat burgundy leather interior offers a gentle patina indicative of years of use and enjoyment. It is well detailed too.

The car is in good condition, but with the light signs of use that arguably give it more charisma than a freshly restored show queen. The paintwork is lightly marked, as are the painted spokes wheels. You could, of course, attend to that very easily. But would you want to?

The Mechanics

5.3-litre straight-four engine capable of 200bhp
Four-speed manual transmission with overdrive
Phoenix Crankshaft fitted
LT1576 December 1926 41/2 litre engine increased to 5.3L
Differential ratio 3.33/1 rebuilt by NDR of Watford
4 1/2 pattern casing with front oil filler
Vendor informs us the car starts on the button
"Virtually no oil leaks" reported
Vendor describes as totally reliable

Recent maintenance:

Rebuilt rear axle by NDR
New overdrive system
Bentley clutch plate
Alternator fitted
New fuel pumps
Rain light
Oil catch tank
Wiring system altered to allow electrical isolation
New clutch and starter motor

This car began life as a 3.0-Litre but has been carefully evolved since, notably by fitting a 4.5-litre engine number LT1526, built in December 1926, which has been pushed out to 5.3-Litre and fitted with a Phoenix Crankshaft to deliver 200bhp. The differential ratio is 33/ 1 following a rebuild by NDR of Watford. The rear axle uses the stronger original 4 1/2 pattern casing with front oil filler. There is a four-speed gearbox with a recently rebuilt overdrive unit.

The current keeper acquired the car in 2016 and has invested considerable sums in its maintenance and improvement. The list of work includes a new clutch and starter motor, wiring repairs, new fuel pumps and fitting an alternator.

The vendor tells us that the car is ready for European long-distance touring. During which, judging by the photos, it is sure to look extremely impressive.

** Interested parties should note this lot is currently on view near Winchester, Hampshire. Vehicles must be collected by 28th March 2026 (subject to payment of the lots). From 28th March, vehicle storage charges apply to the buyer.

Charges: £ 14 + VAT for the first 14 days. Thereafter, £ 50 + VAT per car per week.

Buyers should satisfy themselves that they have collected all relevant log books, documents and keys relating to their lot(s) at the time of collection. **

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..