Description
1929 BENTLEY 4 1/ 2 LITRE SALOON BY VANDEN PLAS CHASSIS NUMBER HB3418 ENGINE NUMBER HB3413 UK REGISTRATION NUMBER MT 4588
Having won Le Mans in 1928 and set numerous speed records at Brooklands , the 4 1/ 2 litre Bentley was considered to be the ‘must -have’ sporting automobile for the well-born and well-bred , with a high social status . One of the most popular body styles when new was the Sports Saloon, ‘HB 3418’ being such an example , built by the famous high -class London coachbuilders , Vanden Plas.
Delivered new to a Northern England textile magnate by the name of Philip William Greenhalgh, in June 1929, the Bentley was chauffeur-driven throughout its early life. Quite remarkably still in original family ownership , the current and fourth ‘Greenhalgh’ custodian kindly shared with us many fond memories of this highly-original heirloom . He recalls being taken to watch the Belle Vue Aces racing their speedway motorcycles as a child and ‘Riley’ the chauffeur taking them to Blackpool for the day . A former coachman , he was known to whisper to the car , just as he would have done with the horses all those years earlier ! The majority of the family used ‘HB 3148’ at their wedding celebrations and the decision to offer the car for sale is only due to it receiving little use over the past decade.
By the 1980, s the Bentley was starting to show its age and the decision was made to sympathetically improve the car . Whilst never technically stripped and fully restored , ‘HB 4138’ was treated to set of wings by Jack Buckley of Knarr Mill. A crack was found in the diff casing and this was rectified by John Ambler , with parts supplied by the late Donald Day . Whilst mechanically highly-original and to its factory specification , an upgraded starter motor was fitted for practicality . The Rexene covering to the coachwork was deemed beyond repair and replaced to a high standard in vinyl and the interior was re-trimmed in leather , retaining the original seat bases ( marked to the underside by the coachbuilder ). Other work at this time included the fitment of a new headlining and carpets . The luggage trunk is believed to be the original item and is fitted with a tray of period hand-tools.
UK registered and without exaggeration quite simply one of the most significant and exciting British pre-war offerings of the last decade . Running and driving well during our recent video/ photography session , the car will require an element of recommissioning before any lengthy adventures are undertaken . Unrepeatable !! £625, 000
