Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Tourer

1931

One of the great sporting Bentleys.

Bentley
Few motor cars embody the spirit of W.O. Bentley quite like the 4½ Litre. Conceived during an extraordinary period in British motoring history, the model earned its reputation through a combination of formidable performance, engineering integrity and competition success, becoming one of the most celebrated sporting cars of its era. Presented here in open Tourer form, it offers a wonderfully direct connection to the sights, sounds and sensations of pre-war motoring.
£550,000
SOLD
SOLD

Year

1931

DISPLAYED MILEAGE

23,104

SERVICE HISTORY

Specialist

Transmission

4-Speed

Information

Cosmetic

Mechanical

Ranmore's Perspective

Some thoughts on this model

This Car

A glorious example of a vintage Bentley, this car offered for sale from the current owners private collection. The current owner has been its custodian for a little over four years, prior to that it was with the previous owner’s care for thirty years.

This Bentley 4 ½ Tourer was coach built by Mayfair and completed in 1931, making it one of the final handful of Bentley 4 ½’s to have been made.

The motor car presents wonderfully, with paint work in good order, thanks to a refinishing of wings and iron work in 2016 and a bare metal repaint to the bonnet in 2017. Inside the cars interior remarks on its history, all is in fine condition but beautifully patinated.

In 1997, the car was fitted with an Auster Screen to offer additional protection to the rear passengers from the elements.

All in all, a wonderful motor car which drives and steers exactly as you would expect and comes with a large history folder documenting its life back to 1992.

Prior to this, little is known about the car, but some clues in the file suggests it spent part of its life in the US with an early photo purporting to be the car sporting an Iowa plate. This is backed up by the Vintage Bentley Register which has an image of the car from 1967 at ‘The Gettysburg Meet’ and also references a 1973 advert for the car locating it in Seattle, Washington. The previous owner also notes in the file that the car was ‘apparently rebodied in the 1960’s’.

It seems that there could be much more to find out about this car as an exciting historical project for the next custodian.

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This Model

Introduced in 1927, the Bentley 4½ Litre represented a significant evolution of W.O. Bentley's original 3 Litre design. Its larger, four-cylinder engine displaced 4,398cc and delivered considerably greater torque and performance, making it one of the most accomplished sporting motor cars of its generation.

Built around a robust pressed-steel chassis, with a substantial engine and four-speed gearbox, the 4½ Litre combined impressive mechanical strength with the ability to cover long distances at considerable speed. Its competition pedigree was established at the highest level, most notably with Bentley's victories at Le Mans in 1928 and 1929.

Although best remembered for its association with the Bentley Boys and the marque's celebrated racing successes, the 4½ Litre was equally at home as a fast-touring car. The Mayfair touring body fitted to this example provides an elegant and practical interpretation of the 4½ Litre, combining the sporting character of the Bentley chassis with the comfort and refinement expected of a high-quality grand touring motor car.

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Summary

A chance to purchase a piece of history. Each W.O. Bentley is special and deserving of care by each generation, these are important motor cars. This is a lovely example and one which is ready to be used and enjoyed by the next custodian,

To find out more and to book a viewing please get in contact.

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About Ranmore

Ranmore was established in 1983, originally known as Royce Service & Engineering. For over 40 years, we have been independent masters, specialising in the sale, maintenance and complete restoration of classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars.

More recently, we have broadened our offering to include the sale of eclectic and interesting sports cars, predominantly British although not exclusively, but always special.

Most recently, Ranmore has also become an Official Morgan Retailer. Morgan is a wonderful British manufacturer that represents 21st-century coachbuilding, an intoxicating blend of tradition and technology that sits perfectly alongside our other offerings.

Our showroom is located in Betchworth, in a glorious setting in the Surrey Hills and perfect territory for enjoying the special motor cars we offer.

For the well driven.

Mileage is stated as recorded on the vehicle's odometer and is not independently warranted unless specifically stated.

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1931

Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Tourer

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