Beschreibung
1928 WO Bentley 6 1/ 2 litre Tourer with VDP style Le Mans body and correct C-type gearbox
Original chassis with original registration number.
Engine and running gear properly sorted out over the last 4 years and now running as it should. Replica Le Mans body with the car’s original tapered 6½ litre radiator. Spare new Speed 6 radiator can go with the car if desired.
Extensive work carried out since 2010 from the front to the back of the car includes:-
New radiator by Vintage Radiators
Engine top overhaul
Crankshaft overhauled and crack tested
New pistons
Engine white metal checked
New AutoVac fitted
Magneto and distributor rebuilt
New double shock absorbers all round
Rear springs reset
New stainless steel silencer
New 3:1 Crownwheel and Pinion
New set of 5 Motor Wheel Service 21” wheels with Blockley 6. 75 / 7. 00 x 21” tyres
New centre lock wheel spinners
New Le Mans fuel tank
In 1928 this car was delivered to a dealer in Ayrshire just south of Glasgow and sold to the first owner early in 1929. BDC maintenance records up to 1936 show that work to the car included engine de-carbonisation, two changes of pistons, change of inlet valve guides, radiator repaired and rechromed, two changes of rear axle crown wheel and pinion/ ratios and a new silencer fitted.
In 1936 when the car was still in Scotland it seems that the aforementioned engine trouble gave rise to the search for another engine. That engine is from another 6½ litre Bentley, namely WT2262 when the car was broken up and the engine fitted to this car in 1938, some 76 years ago.
Post-war history is unknown until 1972, when a vintage car enthusiast discovered the car at the Motolympia vehicle dismantlers at Welshpool - a known haven for old-car enthusiasts. The duplicate logbook confirmed that the car had been an ambulance, having started as a desirable saloon. This may well indicate that this Bentley had been commandeered for war service. A photograph of the chassis at this time is on file.
Paul Bentley, well known for trading and competing in vintage Bentleys owned this car for a brief period, after a close friend had bought this car in 1978. That close friend – unknown – bought the car back again in 1980. A long-time member of the Bentley Drivers Club, he then commenced a reconstruction of this car to what he considered to be the ultimate vintage Bentley specification, which included having the 12’6”chassis carefully altered to the more desirable 11’0” wheelbase of the Le Mans cars. The engine was entrusted to Bentley specialist Donald Day for a full rebuild, which included up-rating the engine with new Cosworth/ Day 6. 25:1 pistons, BM 7032 (Speed model) camshaft and triple SU carburettors. A detailed list of the engine work carried out is available, although no bills exist, together with some photos of the chassis, which was rebuilt from ground-up. The work also included new wings, new Vanden Plas-style tourer coachwork, and full interior leather trim and piped carpeting.
Work was completed in 1987, but the car was not driven on the road from 2004 to 2007, the year 2007 being when the previous owner acquired the car, due to the former owner’s deteriorating health and advancing years. Nine MoTs at the time from 1987 to 2002 indicated just 1200 miles since restoration, and by 2007 the car had travelled only another 1000 miles.
A duplicate green log book is with the car, as well as V5 and V5C, and a detailed list of engine work by D H Day, assorted minor invoices and photographic record of the rebuild.
The aforementioned Speed 6 camshaft which recently came out of the engine can go with the car, the standard cam having been replaced for much smoother running.
3 fuel supplies:
a) Currently running on twin electric SU pumps
b) Autovac – newly rebuilt and fitted. Unused
c) Hand pressure Pump.
New Speed 6 radiator is available by separate negotiation. Unused.
Engineer maintained in top condition to my knowledge and used sparingly since recent extensive work completed. Would not hesitate to drive this car long distance to Sicily and back today for example.
Reason for selling is that the car has recently done a rally to southern France and another to classic Le Mans, and the summer time is now spent visiting son and daughter far away overseas, and so the car does not currently get the use that we feel it warrants.
