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Formerly the property of the late. John Cresswell1925 Bentley…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
13-Nov-2010
Lot No.
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Description:
Formerly the property of the late. John Cresswell1925 Bentley 3-litre Speed model TourerCoachwork by Vanden PlasChassis no. 1054Engine no. 1077 body no. 1144, with characteristic humility æW OÆ was constantly amazed by the enthusiasm of later generations for the products of Bentley Motors limited, and it is testimony to the soundness of his engineering design skills that so many of his products have survived. From the humblest of beginnings in a mews garage off Baker Street, London in 1919 the Bentley rapidly achieved fame as an exciting fast touring car, well able to compete with the best of European and American sports cars in the tough world of motor sport in the 1920s. BentleyÆs domination at Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 is legendary, and one can only admire the Herculean efforts of such giants as Woolf Barnato, Jack Dunfee, Tim Birkin and Sammy Davis, consistently wrestling the British racing green sports cars to victory. W O Bentley proudly unveiled the new 3-litre car bearing his name on stand 126 at the 1919 Olympia motor Exhibition, the prototype engine having fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier. BentleyÆs four-cylinder 'Fixed headÆ engine incorporated a single overhead camshaft, four-valves per cylinder and a bore/stroke of 80 x 149 mm. Twin Ml magnetos provided the ignition and power was transmitted via a four-speed gearbox with right-hand change, the pressed-steel chassis started off with a wheelbase of 9Æ 9Æ, then adopted dimensions of 10Æ 10Æ (æstandard longÆ) in 1923, the shorter frame being reserved for the Tt replica and subsequent Speed model. Rear wheel brakes only were employed up to 1924 when four-wheel Perrot-type brakes were introduced in only mildly developed form, this was the model that was to become a legend in motor racing history and which, with its leather-strapped bonnet, classical radiator design and British racing green livery, has become the archetypal vintage sports car. Early success in the 1922 Isle of man tourist trophy, when Bentleys finished second, fourth, and fifth to take the Team prize, led to the introduction of the Tt replica (later known as the Speed model) on the existing 9Æ 9Æ wheelbase, short standard chassis. Identified by the red label on its radiator, the Speed model differed by having twin Su æSloperÆ carburettors, a higher compression ratio, different camshaft and the close-ratio A-type gearbox, the latter being standard equipment prior to 1927 when the C-type 'Box was adopted, these engine changes increased maximum power from the standard 70 to 80bhp and raised top speed to an impressive 90mph. Other enhancements included the la
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Motor Vehicles: Motor Cars