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September 8, 2012 15:30 BST Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
Collectors' Motor Cars

1925 Bentley 3/4½-Litre Speed Model Red Label Tourer
Registration no. YL 4773 :: Chassis no. 1162 :: Engine no. SP 1407

Michael Hay's authoritative work, Bentley: The Vintage Years, records the fact that '1162' was completed as a Speed Model with four-seat coachwork by Vanden Plas. The engine number is recorded as '1174', the registration as 'YL 4773' and the first owner as one P Latham. One of only 513 Speed Models built, the car was sold to J W Cock in 1931 and then to C D Pitman in 1934. A C B Matthews owned the Bentley from 1947 to 1970 and while in his ownership the car was involved in a head-on collision with a Rolls-Royce during a funeral procession, the accident occurring in 1961. Some parts were then sold to H J K Townshend.

'1162' was subsequently purchased by Richard 'Dick' Baddiley, a prominent VSCC Bentley racer, who acquired engine number '685' and rebuilt the car as a 'racing bitsa'. The original Vanden Plas body was sold and a special body fitted in its place. There is a photograph on file of Dick Baddiley racing the Bentley at a VSCC Silverstone meeting.

In 1989 the Bentley was rewired and sold to H C Peity (in Portugual) who in turn sold it to marque specialist Stanley Mann in 1989. The chassis frame was straightened and modified by Green Farm Racing (Julian Ghosh) with new dumb irons before being rebuilt to 'Mother Gun' replica specification using the following parts: engine number '922'; front axle 'VA 4086'; differential casing 'KM 3083'; rear axle 'KD 2104' (ex '815'); C Type gearbox; and an original Vanden Plas body numbered '1241'. The Bentley was then sold to Tim Houlding who owned it from 1990 to 1994. During his ownership '1162' was fitted with a 4½-litre engine ('SP 1407'), front axle ('FA 2508') and a lighter A Type gearbox (number '395'). The steering box is original to '1162'.

Following a period of inactivity between 2000 and 2012 the Bentley has been re-commissioned by Solutions Racing of Standlake, Oxfordshire. Works included repairs to the ahs frame, interior trim and fuel tank, new wheels, road springs realigned, new hydraulic braking system and a new oak dashboard installed. Now driving beautifully, '1162' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire Vintage Bentley rebuilt to ultimate specification. The car is offered with MoT/tax to August 2013 and Swansea V5 registration document.