1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Open Tourer
The Bentley 4½ Litre presented here was originally owned by Mr. E. Rawlinson of Carr House, Rawstenstall, Rossendale, Lancashire. The factory appears to never have recorded details of the original coachbuilder that clothed chassis DS3561, although today it wears what is believed to be its original Vanden Plas 4-seater open tourer style body with long wings. Not a great deal is known of this Bentley's early life although records show that it was delivered to the coachbuilders with a 15/53 axle ratio and 'C' Type gearbox. It was maintained in its early days by A. Ramsbottom of Heathersands Garage near Manchester and known to the Bentley Driver's Club throughout the 1950s.

It was imported to the United States at the end of the 1950s where it is understood to have seen very little use at all in the ownership of Parker Snyder of Celina, Ohio, where it remained for almost 50 years prior to being purchased by the present owner and shipped back to England earlier this year. The present owner describes his discovery as being a good solid car which was largely complete and had clearly been in storage for some considerable length of time as can be seen from the photographs taken at that time. With only a new windscreen and a few other minor components needing to be sourced prior to its sympathetic restoration, the finished motor car presented today represents an unmolested example of a most desirable marque. Inspection showed that the engine was in good general order, the magnetos were completely overhauled and the engine and carburetters fully serviced. The seats were completely re-trimmed in dark blue leather, a new set of carpets and a new hood were made, brightwork re-plated, brakes and wiring checked and new tyres fitted.

Today, fresh out of restoration and finished in the very stylish and handsome Oxford Blue this matching numbers 4½ Litre Bentley presents very nicely indeed and due to the long length of time hidden away in storage it is in mostly original condition. It is of course also very fresh to the market having been under the same ownership for much of the past 50 years. While a certain amount of recommissioning is to be expected after such long-term storage, the result is sure to be magical — the chance to experience a vintage Bentley so recently roused from a lengthy slumber. This Bentley is perfectly suited for continued touring and enjoyment and just crying out to have the cobwebs blasted off during an enthusiastic drive around the English country lanes on a crisp, sunny, autumn morning. The daring Bentley Boys would have expected no less.

 

1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Open Tourer
110hp, 4,398 cc single overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine with four-speed manual transmission, front suspension via beam axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs, rear suspension via live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130.5" (3,315mm).

The Bentley 4½ Litre presented here was originally owned by Mr. E. Rawlinson of Carr House, Rawstenstall, Rossendale, Lancashire. The factory appears to never have recorded details of the original coachbuilder that clothed chassis DS3561, although today it wears what is believed to be its original Vanden Plas 4-seater open tourer style body with long wings.

Not a great deal is known of this Bentley's early life although records show that it was delivered to the coachbuilders with a 15/53 axle ratio and 'C' Type gearbox. It was maintained in its early days by A. Ramsbottom of Heathersands Garage near Manchester and known to the Bentley Driver's Club throughout the 1950s.

It was imported to the United States at the end of the 1950s where it is understood to have seen very little use at all in the ownership of Parker Snyder of Celina, Ohio, where it remained for almost 50 years prior to being purchased by the present owner and shipped back to England earlier this year.

The present owner describes his discovery as being a good solid car which was largely complete and had clearly been in storage for some considerable length of time as can be seen from the photographs taken at that time.

With only a new windscreen and a few other minor components needing to be sourced prior to its sympathetic restoration, the finished motor car presented today represents an unmolested example of a most desirable marque. Inspection showed that the engine was in good general order, the magnetos were completely overhauled and the engine and carburetters fully serviced. The seats were completely re-trimmed in dark blue leather, a new set of carpets and a new hood were made, brightwork re-plated, brakes and wiring checked and new tyres fitted.

Today, fresh out of restoration and finished in the very stylish and handsome Oxford Blue this 4½ Litre Bentley presents very nicely indeed and due to the long length of time hidden away in storage it is in mostly original condition. It is of course also very fresh to the market having been under the same ownership for much of the past 50 years. While a certain amount of recommissioning is to be expected after such long-term storage, the result is sure to be magical - the chance to experience a vintage Bentley so recently roused from a lengthy slumber.

This Bentley is perfectly suited for continued touring and enjoyment and just crying out to have the cobwebs blasted off during an enthusiastic drive around the English country lanes on a crisp, sunny, autumn morning. The daring Bentley Boys would have expected no less.

In USA in 2006 / Owned by an RROC member