Description
We proudly present this beautiful Bentley 4. 5 Litre 'Le Mans' Style Tourer, Finished in Green paintwork with Green Leather interior trim.
This Bentley was supplied new by Jack Barclay Bentley London to its first owner Georgian royal prince Prince George Imeretinsky, of 7 Park Lane London, Godson to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and a prince of the royal Bagrationi dynasty of Imereti, he was educated in England, served with the Grenadier Guards during World War One, joined the RAF during the 1920s.
Imeretinsky was one of the ?Bentley Boys? a group of wealthy British motorists who drove Bentley sports cars to victory in the 1920s and kept the marque's reputation for high performance alive. In 1925, as the marque foundered, Bentley Boy Woolf Barnato bought the company, leading to the creation of the famous supercharged Bentley Blower car.
Imeretinsky had the 4½ Litre initially bodied by Martin Walter as a Sports Four-Seater and configured for use in countries where low octane petrol was the norm, the engine was modified to run with a lower compression ratio and carried a single Smiths carburettor. The car was later rebodied as a Four-Seater Sports Coupe by Wylder & Co of Kew when it was little more than a year old, the 4½ Litre is understood to have remained in the Prince?s possession until July 1932, Thereafter, the Bentley is known was owned by F. Merall Esq of St Annes on Sea then N Buckley of nearby Blackpool prior to fading into obscurity.
By the time it was rediscovered during the 1960s, chassis KM3083 would have to wait another three decades before returning to the road. Comprehensively restored from the ?ground up? using new parts where necessary, a list on the work carried out includes :-
Replacement crankcase / Block
Converted to shell bearings which were stamped with the correct number KM3086,
New crankshaft (and balanced)
NewArrow conrods
New Pistons,
New Steel roller bearing rockers,
New Valves
New Valve Guides
New Valve Collets
New Valve Caps
New Valve Springs
New Water pump
Refurbished co-axial starter motor
Refurbished BS-type gearbox with D-Type ratios and fresh bearings.
New clutch
The front axle was rejuvenated with new kingpins, bushes and bearings
While the rear axle received a new Bentley Drivers? Club 3. 53 crown wheel and pinion plus fresh bearings.
The drum brakes were relined and had a Le Mans-style adjuster added.
The leaf springs were reconditioned and cord bound.
New shock absorbers
Steering box refreshed with new gears.
Replacement wire wheels were purchased and shod with new tyres.
Radiator was recored
Zeiss headlamps fitted (the latter being uprated with halogen bulbs).
Bentley?s high-speed cruising / touring capabilities were enhanced via the addition of an overdrive.
This stunning Bentley has been part of a significant private collection since being purchased from Bentley specialist Stanley Mann in January 2012, it retains its original, London-issued registration number ?UC 8791
The owner has used the car for tours to France (2013 and 2016) plus numerous tours around the UK. Said to have required nothing beyond regular servicing and maintenance over the past eleven years, the Four-Seater Tourer remains in fantastic condition supplied with a tonneau cover.
A total of 667 4½ Litre cars were produced between 1927 and 1931. The Bentley 4½ Litre competed in several competitions, primarily the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 4½ Litre model 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 Peking to Paris. The overall ruggedness of the chassis and ample power output make them a joy to drive and they are much nimbler than the larger 6½ or 8 Litre cars. Perfect for trips to Le Mans and other similarly prestigious and exciting events, this splendid W. O. Bentley is seemingly ready for yet more adventure.
Please call for further information.
