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1926 Bentley 3 Litre LT 4-seater
Chassis No. 1235
Engine No. 1242
Registration No. NT 8694
December 31, 2017
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Source: Flickr, posted by user 'The 289 Register'
Posted: Apr 10, 2018
April 30, 2015
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Benjafield's Sprint brings rare cars to Goodwood
Benjafield's Racing Club held its first Sprint event for seven years on Saturday 23rd May 2015, bringing a fantastic line-up of rare racing cars spanning over 100 years. Some drivers had driven for 24hrs while others flew in in from across Europe, New York, Singapore and beyond especially for the exclusive event that was free for spectators to attend.
Spectators were rewarded with a fantastic day of sprinting, with a lunchtime parade of all 23 Vintage Bentleys taking part, including several of the original Bentley 4.5L Blowers, before the cars lined up on the grid for enthusiasts to take a closer look.
The next Benjafield's Sprint will be held in May 2016.
Source: Photos by Gerard Brown (Made available by Andrea Seed)
Posted: Jun 16, 2015
December 31, 2014
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Source: Flickr, posted by user 'Clive Barker'
Posted: Jan 12, 2015
December 31, 2012
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Source: Tim Summers
Posted: Jan 28, 2013
2009
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"My research, since owning the car has discovered that the car was laid up during the war in Worksop, not Watford. The engine was changed some time before that and during the renovation in 1966 it was fully upgraded to 'speed' specification."
Source: Robert Zannetti (Owner)
Posted: Oct 30, 2008
December 31, 2008
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Source: Robert Zannetti (Owner)
Posted: Jan 13, 2009
November 2008
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Source: Flickr, posted by user 'clicks_1000'
Posted: Jun 4, 2015
October 31, 2008
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Source: Robert Zannetti (Owner)
Posted: Jan 13, 2009
2008
Resulting from an unfortunate event when the car was being delivered a small petrol fire occurred when the perished bottom radiator hose burst. The bonnet was removed and repainted by Shalford Coachworks. All hoses were inspected and replaced where necessary. The SU Sloper carburettors were stripped and rebuilt. High tension leads were checked and repaired. A new set (8) of D16 Champion spark plugs was fitted. Carburettor feed pipes were changed from plastic to copper. A compression test was carried out showing :- Cylinder 1(front) 80psi, Cylinder 2 68psi, Cylinder 3 76psi and Cylinder 4 (rear) 76psi.
Late summer 2008 the choke mechanism was changed to the correct aluminium twist lost motion type as fitted to twin Slopers. The original brass pull out type (for the single Smith carburettor) was retained as a spare part.
Source: Robert Zannetti (Owner)
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
2006
Posted: Jan 1, 0001
2000
Winter 2003/4 the engine was overhauled, new exhaust valves and guides were fitted. The engine was filled with 20/50W multigrade oil.
Spring 2007 Oil change.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1999
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1989
The propeller shaft was removed. The front universal joint was dismantled. Two high tension leads were replaced. The universal joint was serviced and the propeller shaft was refitted. The Magneto switches were dismantled and coils were fitted and wired. The sparking plugs were tested and the car was started and tested. The starter motor was removed and a new Bendix was fitted. The starter was refitted and mechanically tested. The track was adjusted. The points were checked. A strap for the bonnet was made and fitted. A new tail pipe bracket was made and fitted. The nearside bonnet section was removed and the rivets were drilled out. A bracket was welded in and the rivets replaced. A tension spring was fitted. An Autovac tap was removed and lapped back in. The lever on the Autovac feed to the carburettors was modified and a control mechanism was made up. The near side bonnet was removed and set to clear the forward carburettor. Mountings for the dashboard were made and fitted. A choke cable made and fitted including making up the cable nipples. The car was taken for a MOT. A fault was traced on the steering column, the end float adjusted and it was regreased. The front brake drums were removed, examined and refitted. All four brakes were adjusted. The back axle and gearbox were drained. The seats and floorboards were removed. The top of the gearbox was removed and the box was refilled. The top, boards and seats were refitted. The carburettor float chambers were removed and holes were retapped. Bolts for a lever were fitted. The chambers were refitted and the car started. All nipples were oiled and a bolt for the bonnet catch was made.
The wing nuts for the bonnet catches were purchased from Donald Day at Swindon.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1982
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1966
Kenneth started work, with David's help (particularly his scraper!) and set about the mechanical restoration to Kenneth's very high standards. David Gall is sure that the engine stored with the rest of the bits was number 82 and can only be that the engine change happened when it was stored. The car that the engine came from was also dismantled at roughly the same time and that has also been rebuilt with yet another engine! Ken upgraded the engine to 'Speed' specification.
The only significant part that he required was the 'Fabric' body and he ordered from Tony Robinson of Gerrard's Cross. He manufactured the frames for an exact copy of the VdP body from plans. This work was an absolute speciality of Tony Robinson and at that time was making Bentley bodies to his exacting standards. It took Kenneth Ball nearly 2 years to effect this rebuild but he produced a magnificent motorcar that is virtually unchanged today. A fitting tribute to his skills and standards.
Kenneth Ball is now dead but his son Mike and his wife Dorothy remember the car well.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1938
About this time the car was dismantled for an overhaul. This was effected by a professor who worked in the aviation industry, Was it G.M.Hardman? In any event the war intervened and the car was stored in a cellar in Worksop. It was destined to lay in this condition for 28 years.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1935
Flywheel sent to Deamsgate Mart Ltd Manchester
In 1935, the car was sold to Mr. E Headlam 56a The Chine, Winchmore Hill, London N10 with no guarantee.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1932
One rear brake drum was sent to Tom Garner Manchester.
The car was sold to G. H. Vickers, Headley Vickers Ltd. Derby St. Cheetham Manchester in 1932.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1930
Odometer mileage reading 4718
26 June 1930
Engine de-carbonised, 6 new inlet valves fitted (sic.)
4 July 1930
2 new big end bearings fitted (sic.) Water pump modified. Brakes roughed up.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1929
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1927
Engine de-carbonised. Oil leaks rectified. Piston rings renewed. Drain hole drilled to the gearbox. Rear universal joint shimmed up. Units sealed.
14 June 1927
Heavy oil consumption rectified, New set of 80m/m L.C. pistons and rings fitted. 14/25 top bevels. Crankshaft thrust race renewed, 4 new gudgeon pins and bushes fitted. Units sealed.
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1926
Car was sold to J. Blake & Co. Ltd. ( J. Blake & Co. were Merseyside's first Ford distributor in 1910.)
July 1926
Car was sold to P. L. Russell Allen of Halford, Craven Arms, Shropshire
( P.L. Russell Allen is the first registered owner according to Bentley's records and the DVLC shown as 5 July 1926)
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
1925
Short Standard 4 seat Body Job no. 1200
Upholstery - Blue (As colour scheme agreed). Hood and hood cover - Black
Body and Bonnet - Blue (As colour scheme agreed) Wings - Black
Vanden Plas 4 seat body Light Tourer (one of thirty nine to be made), Chassis 1235,(weight 1 ton 9 cwt) Engine 1242, Back axle ratio 13/55. Possibly delivered 25 Nov. 1925
Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
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Source: Robert Zannetti
Posted: Jan 6, 2009
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First registered in Shropshire in July 1926, this Speed Model Bentley was fitted with Vanden Plas touring coachwork (job no. 1209) and painted dark blue over black wings with black interior. Just prior to the second world war it was dismantled in preparation for a major overhaul, and remained that way until liberated from a basement in Watford in some thirty years later.At that point the VdP body was rebuilt (exactly as original) and the car reassembled by its engineer owner, and painted Amaranth, a Bentley factory colour. Since the mid sixties it has had just three long term owners.
Records shows that at some time in its history, prior to the war, it had an earlier replacement engine (No.82) fitted. This has since been uprated to Speed Model specification. It has a split sump, twin sloper SU carburettors, a 'B' gearbox and is running on 21in wheels. It has a high ratio back axle (3.53), giving approximately 29 mph per 1000 rpm, for easy cruising. Recent work includes the fitting of new exhaust valves, guides and cam followers, and new piston rings. All the bright work has been re-nickled, and the hood and hood bag have been replaced in Mohair.
The car has been used regularly and has completed trouble-free tours of Ireland and the Picos Mountains in Spain. In good mechanical condition with bags of patina, this is a stylish, affordable eminently useable vintage Bentley.
Source: Old Racing Car
Posted: Jun 13, 2008
Earliest Record Of Historical Facts & Information
| Chassis No. | 1235 |
|---|---|
| Engine No. | 1242 |
| Registration No. | NT 8694 |
| Date of Delivery: | 30 Jun 1926 |
| Type of Body: | 4-seater |
| Coachbuilder: | Vanden Plas |
| Type of Car: | LT |
| First Owner: | RUSSELL ALLEN P L |
| More Info: | According to original Vanden Plas Coachbuilder records, this car was originally fitted with Body No. 1209 with a Short standard 4-seater; blue / black; 11/1925. Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: "Vanden Plas body no. 1209. Engine 82 ex ch. 82." |
Mar 1, 2007