1926 HM Bentley 3-4 1/ 2 Litre Isabel was bodied as standard sporting Vanden Plas 4 Seater and delivered to eastern Garages in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1926 and first registered in the ownership of Miss Isabel Clark in Aberdeenshire in 1927 with a continuous record of ownership since then. The car still wears its original number plates YN2534. In 1936, the cassis was one of the two 3L cars rebuilt by HM Bentley and partners in the "Le Mans" style with a shortened cassis, rakish 2 seater body, a slab fuel tank, cycle guards, new wheels including twin spares, all new gears in the axles and gearboxes, high compression piston etc.

In 1937, Tom Grimshaw had an accident while completing in the Liege-Rome-Liege rally, 24th entrant and this may have led to the original engine being replaced by engine number 1186, from a 1925 3L 1185. In the following years, it passed through the hands of several owners and was described or reviewed in many Bentley drivers club magazines. In 1960, well known Bentleyphile Tony Townshend completed an extensive renovation including changing to 1950s era SU carburettors. In 1980, Angus Clark retuned the 2nd 3L engine to its Original chassis number 1185 and replaced it with the 4 1/ 2L engine XL 3109.

This engine is also of historic interest as noted Bentley historian Clare Hay believes it started life as the 3L which at one time powered Pacey- Hassan special. With the bottom end from a blower 4 1/ 2 and a Zoller supercharger that car lapped Brooklands in 1937 at 120. 01mph.

Please note: Since 1997, all former aspects of the engine have been kept for provenance.

The car arrived in Australia in 1980 and in 1984 the car entered the long-term ownership of the Rymilly family, with Dick Rymill campaigning it extensively. In 2000, the 4 1/ 2L engine was rebuilt again with new crankcase, block, camshafts valves etc together with a new Crown wheel and pinion (from Fesca Qualos) by the highly respected Adelaide vintage car specialist David Winnall. The ratio changing from 4. 3 to 3. 26 to 1, the wonderful "A" type gearbox together with the lightweight HM Bentley body (1370kg) gives an easy touring gait of 70mph at 2000 rpm. Since then it has had limited use.

Beautifully preserved, sat in storage and part of intensive collection. Available for sale this very special significate beauty and has international appeal, sought after collectors world wide and represents astute buying for $270, 000 GPB+ shipping