RM Auctions Monterey 2012
1924 Bentley 3/8-Liter 'Hawkeye Special'

RM Auctions Monterey 2012 - Auction Results
1924 Bentley 3/8-Liter 'Hawkeye Special' Chassis no. 477 Sold at auction for $671,000.

Monterey Auction Company
Friday, August 17, 2012 - Saturday, August 18, 2012

1924 Bentley 3/8 Litre "Hawkeye Special"
Chassis No. 477; Engine No. TW2702

Est. 437 hp, eight-liter OHC six-cylinder engine, twin SU carburetors, four-speed manual transmission solid front and rear axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 117.5"

• Multiple-award-winning, street-legal, race-ready, vintage Bentley
• Original three-liter “Red Label” Speed Model with alloy two-seater body
• Fitted with 6½-liter Speed Six engine; built to eight-liter specifications
• Built by John Guppy and Hawkeye “The Flying Swede” Wijkander

This car, widely known as the ‘Hawkeye Special,’ records show the original chassis 477 was a very desirable Speed or ‘Red Badge’ Model and was first assigned British registration plate number DK2695, which this car still wears, at Rochdale, near Manchester. The original was replaced with a 6 ½-litre unit, putting out a stock 140 bhp, which was enlarged to an eight-litre, 437 hp specification, along with an alloy body in the early-1970s by renowned Bentley builder John Guppy and Hawkeye “The Flying Swede” Wijkander. This one-of-a-kind, open two-seater is finished in classic British Racing Green with a two-place bucket seat leather interior. Presented in excellent condition throughout, and still wearing its distinctive and original “Red Badge” on its German silver radiator shell, this street-legal motor car is equally well-suited for concours competition or vintage racing.

After winning vintage races throughout Europe, the Hawkeye Special was purchased from Bentley specialist Stanley Mann Racing and brought to America in 2007. Since then, it has won numerous concours awards, including the Los Angeles and Rodeo Drive Concours, and successfully competed in vintage racing and rallies.

Its current owner agrees with other Bentley enthusiasts that three-liter chassis cars are the most fun to drive ,and he is frequently seen on the streets in the Los Angeles area, demonstrating the true power and tremendous speed of a well-sorted, vintage Bentley. David E. Davis Jr.’s words are as true now as when first quoted in 1991, “What is the highest tribute one can pay a noble, inspired, million-dollar classic automobile? Simple old boy, drive the bloody thing.” The search for a unique, fun, vintage Bentley with documented provenance ends with the Hawkeye Special.

Vintage Racing Record
1996 – 1st Place – VSCC Silverstone (Recorded fastest time for vintage Bentley: 1 min. 11 sec.)
1998 – 1st Place – VSCC Silverstone
1998 – 1st Place – Silverstone GP Italia Trophy
2000 – 2nd Place – Silverstone
2001 – 1st Place – Spa (Belgium)
2003 – 2nd Place – Nürburgring GP Circuit (Germany)
2004 – 1st Place – Vintage Nürburgring
2007 – Fastest Pre-War Automobile – Copperstate 1000
2007 – Laguna Seca Historic Races
2008 – 1st in Class, People’s Choice Award, and Judges Award – Green Country Concours
2009 – 1st in Class – Los Angeles Concours D’Elegance
2009 – 1st in Class – Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance

This car is for sale as of June 28, 2012.

1924 8 Litre Bentley Hawkeye Special 3/8 L.
Original 1924 Speed Chassis Model
British Racing Green
Multiple Award Winner

This is a fine example of a vintage racing Bentley. It is fully race prepared and ready run in vintage races. The alloy racing body was installed in the early 70's by John Guppy & Hawkeye "the Flying Swede" Wijkander. It is fully street legal.

Excellent Condition
Price Upon Request

This car is for sale as of June 28, 2011.

The car has since been sold. — Jul 1, 2011

1924 Bentley "Hawkeye Special" 3/8 Litre

 

Concorso Arizona 2007.

In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

 

 

Photograph is from an original 1924 Bentley 3-Litre sales brochure.