Sold for $2,145,000 including the 10% buyers premium!

Formerly the Property of Tony Townsend and Philip Wichard
1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Dual Cowl Sports Tourer

Coachwork by Vanden Plas
CHASSIS NO. KL3584
ENGINE NO. KL3584
Registration No. GC 3270
Body No. 1635
$1,200,000 - $1,500,000

- Exceedingly Rare, Matching-Numbers, Original-Bodied Example
- Exceptional As-New Specifications
- Unique and Advanced Vanden Plas Design
- Known History from New
- Ideal International Event Entrant
- An Important and Desirable Vintage Bentley

- 4,398 CC SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
- Twin SU Carburetors
- 110 BHP
- 4-Speed Non-Synchromesh “C” Gearbox
- 4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
- Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs with Friction-Plate Shock Absorbers

As Bentley’s preferred coachbuilder, Vanden Plas produced a standard Sports Tourer for the 4½ Litre. The fabric-bodied tourer with long wings was a handsome, sporting automobile and, with its lightweight construction, the 4½ proved a fast car. In addition to the standard coachwork, Vanden Plas built bodies to order, as is the case with KL3584. Commissioned September 16,1929, KL3584 was specified to order as a special four-seat Sports Tourer.

As with previous design 464, the body was to include a second cowling and screen, a body style used on a small number of Speed Six chassis. The result was proportional perfection – a 4½ Litre with the aesthetics of a six-cylinder car, the genius of which lay in the details. The cowl was extended, leading to a raked windshield with quarter glass, and the front doors were fitted with roll-up windows, a rare and luxurious appointment in 1929. The body remained closed- coupled, enclosing the brake lever, with the coachwork ending directly over the rear axle. The second cowl and second windscreen provided comfort for the rear passengers and the back end was finished with a very tidy and purposeful trunk. Iconic Vanden Plas long wings accentuated the low length of the car. Originally finished in black with painted lamps, the “as-delivered” photo of the KL3584 portrays the powerfully elegant specifications.

Ordered through Kensington Moir and Straker Ltd., KL3584 was delivered new to Captain P.R. Astley of Portland Place, London, in late 1929. Capt. Astley kept the 4½ for approximately two years. Throughout his ownership, the car saw regular maintenance with Bentley Motors, accruing nearly 20,000 miles. In 1931, Capt. Astley wed stage actress Madeleine Carroll and, in that same year, the 4½ was sold.

The second owner was Mr. A.M. Jones of North Kensington, London, and the Bentley remained in the London area and continued to receive factory servicing. With approximately 25,000 miles on the odometer, the 4½ was sold to J.B. Stennett of The Laurels, near Winchmore Hill in England. Mr. Stennett was known to have owned at least one other significant Vintage Bentley, a 1925 3 Litre Super Sports. The car remained in his care and the factory service records continue to note maintenance into 1938, without any major work or replacement of parts.

During WWII, the whereabouts of KL3584 remain unknown, although early post-war photographs show that the 4½ fortunately survived in London undamaged. Acquired by avid Bentley enthusiast, BDC member and highly regarded and authoritative restorer of the marque H.J.K. “Tony” Townsend, KL3584 saw spirited use in his care.

Photographs from the 1950s attest to the total originality and completeness of the car during the post-war period. Seen with Mr. Townsend at the wheel, the 4½ appears as-new with a few minor exceptions. A series of false chrome louvers were fixed to the radiator, an unusual attempt to give the car the appearance of an 8 Litre or 4 Litre model. Additionally, the headlamps were changed to the more desirable Lucas P100 type fitted to a Barker dipping system.

That ownership lasted for 13 years, at which point KL3584 passed to Per Thorvaldson in Norway. Six years later, Philip Wichard of Glen Cove, Long Island, visited Norway while travelling through Europe. At first sight, Mr. Wichard recognized the greatness of the car and negotiated a deal. In 1971, KL3584 was bound for America. With lasting restoration work dating from Mr. Townsend’s ownership, KL3584 needed little preparation before Mr. Wichard could show the car.

In its first major outing at the RROC National Meet in Newport Beach, California, KL3584 had the honor of being the first Bentley to win Best of Show at an RROC National Meet. With the growing scarcity of matching-numbers, original-bodied Vintage Bentleys, it was a much-deserved win for such a unique car.

Mr. Wichard retained the 4½ Litre for 24 years, until his collection was sold in 1995 by Christies. As the highlight of the sale, KL3584 commanded a strong premium, selling for a figure comparable to many Blower Bentleys at the time. The fortunate buyer, Nicholas Springer of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, kept the car for four years before selling it to German collector Mr. B. Fusting. In 1999, KL3584 also received its FIVA Passport and was displayed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

In 2003, the car was briefly sold to Mr. C. Grohe of Switzerland before returning to Germany in 2008 where it found a home with Uwe Kai on the Tegernsee outside Munich. In Mr. Kai’s ownership, the 4½ received some needed attention and regular maintenance. Receipts from 2005 to 2010 account for over €40,000 worth of work that included the installation of an overdrive, a common and sensible upgrade for 4½ Litres.

Seen here in a well-patinated and fitting dark green finish, KL3584 remains exceptionally original. The original frame and engine remain, as well as the original and desirable C-type gearbox. The 4½ has a proper appearance, both under the bonnet and in the driver’s seat. An original Vanden Plas body tag is mounted just above the dash, as well as a plaque denoting its 1973 Best of Show. This particular 4½ is an ideal international event entry as a driver’s automobile as well as a notable concours entrant.

The body of this remarkable Bentley remains in original form with its special front windscreen and roll-up front windows, a feature just two cars are known to have. The second cowl and collapsible rear screen make this a very adaptable and comfortable touring car. Striking in photographs, KL3584 is truly something to be seen in person. A proportionately handsome 4½ in such sporting form is a rarity, especially considering the extremely limited survival rate of original cars.

With the scarcity of matching-numbers, original-bodied 4½ Litres, KL3584 is unquestionably one of the best. In addition to its known ownership history, this 4½ has been held in high regard throughout its 82 years. This is a rare opportunity, and not one to be missed. With the growing status of pedigreed Vintage Bentleys as collectible motorcars, KL3584 is a motorcar of great significance.

Photographs showing chassis number, engine number and steering number.

This photo was received from Juergen Kay (Germany) on June 30, 2011 to be used in the 'For Sale' advertisement for this car. The asking price was € 690.000

"Enclosed you will find a picture from summer 2010. We try to find out what/which kind of engenierings with the motor done in the past.The car has the orig. motor body wth. the matching engine number. But on your site we read about some changes in the past but still fitting engine body."

~~~~~

On July 4, 2011 we received the following information from Yves Kai:

"My first name is Yves, and I am sending the emails from my email account.

Juergen is my father; I´m writing in his words, because he can´t speak English and it´s hard for him to read/understand you without my translation.

Owner of the car the last two/three years was my uncle Uwe Kai. Very sadly he died in Dec. last year. At the moment we try to solve all the problems belonging this situation.

He collected rare cars and now we try to find out all the details. [e.g. Rolls Royce 1934, Jaguary E roadster, Ford T, A Roadster,.. etc.] Sadly we have no space/place to keep all the cars.

Now I found your website and some things became clear. Maybe you can explain What exactly does it mean:

I read in M.Hay´s Book from 1997 : eng FS3604 ex FS3603, original Body still fitted.

Does it mean that the original body of the engine is back in the car. And some Spare Parts from FS 3603 are fitted? [in M.Hay´s Book from 1986 this info is completely missing]. At the moment the original engine number. KL 3548 is fitted. It is difficult to interpret all this information.

Do you know about the late History of the car?
This is what we could assume:

1930: P.R.Astley Capt London (First owner)
1999: Bernd Füsting GE
2005: Detlef Fischer GE
2008: Uwe Kai / Fam. Kai GE
The Price should be 690.000,-- € Euros
We paid nearly the same, do you think it is realistic?"

One of two examples with this Tourer-body. Matching numbers. Perfect restored original condition. Beautiful!

Luggage, 2. wind shield for the rear passengers, Barker-system

In Switzerland in 2003 / Owned by a BDC member