1928 4.5 litre, Reg No: YW 3774, Engine No: UK3298, Chassis No: EXP 5

This is a very interesting Bentley, which played an important supporting role in the Le Mans victories achieved by Bentley Motors in 1928, 29 and 1930. The car was built in the racing shop to full team car spec, in 1928 and fitted with a 3 litre bulkhead and radiator and a second-hand 3 litre Long Chassis body by Gurney Nutting, which is still fitted. The car was intended to be a practice car and mobile source of spare parts for the Team Cars and was updated to the latest racing specification each year. It is pictured in many of the Bentley books on its way to and from Le Mans and the various other races in which Bentley's competed. After Bentley's withdrawal from racing in 1930, the car was retained by Bentley Motors and by Rolls Royce (after the take-over in 1931) and was used throughout the war years and eventually disposed of in 1947.

The car is now fitted with a standard 4.5 litre engine and "C type" gear box, but retains many of the original racing components, eg. Rear axle, banjo and nosepiece (3.3:1 ratio), front axle, steering box, shock absorber brackets etc. The name "Jumbo" was given to the car by a previous owner because it had a trunk on the back (now removed). This car must surely be the original Bentley "bitsa" and was certainly a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" in its racing days due to its race car performance and 3 litre Long Chassis appearance.

Car was offered for auction:
1969-03-22, Veteran, Edwardian and Vintage Motor Cars at Blenheim Palace, Oxford, GB - Brooks & Son according to the catalogue.

"Chassis no: EXP 5
Engine no: UK3298
Registration no: YW 3774

As previously posted by a correspondent vehicle was sold by E J Brooks auction the 22nd march 1969.

Catalogue description reads ... the engine has been entirely rebuilt by Hoffman & Burton. The carburettors originally slopers have been replaced with more modern S.U.s

The radiator of this car is unusual and is believed to be the only one of its type still in existence. It is 18 inches wide and 2 feet 9" high and has been entirely rebuilt......still has the original 6.5L back axle...

Sold for 3,000!"

"February 1965 letter from then owner, Jonathan Meadows of Glasgow, describes it as experimental 4 1/2 used as the team practice car in 1928 and '29 later fitted with a 3-litre engine by Rolls Royce who retained the car until after the war. When purchased it was without engine or gearbox which Meadows fitted (no types or numbers specified). Car was being offered for sale for 650."

1929 Le Mans, 15-16 June. Dieppe pier on the way home. Nobby Clarke supervises the loading of the team's practice car. This car held the job from 1928 to 1930.