Vintage Bentley
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Bentleys
1930 Bentley 4½ Litre Saloon
Chassis No. PB3543
Engine No. PB3542
Registration No. GF 1541
1930 Bentley 4½ Litre
This rakish vintage Bentley was conceived by the ace preparer L. C. 'Mac' Mackenzie for the celebrated Bentley record breaker Forrest Lycett. His brief was to create a light, fast car suitable for both racing and touring. Lycett, one of the driving forces behind the Bentley Drivers Club competed regularly throughout the 30s at Brooklands and Shelsley Walsh as well as at both the Brighton and Lewes Speed Trials. Post-war Lycett averaged over 90 mph for the flying ¾ mile at Silverstone! Still faithful to its original brief this ultimate specification 4½ litre which includes a counterbalanced crankshaft and lightened flywheel and still retains its original coachwork by Corsica.
GF 1541 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fabulous vintage Bentley with a significant history.
This rakish vintage Bentley was conceived by the ace preparer L. C. 'Mac' Mackenzie for the celebrated Bentley record breaker Forrest Lycett. His brief was to create a light, fast car suitable for both racing and touring. Lycett, one of the driving forces behind the Bentley Drivers Club competed regularly throughout the 30s at Brooklands and Shelsley Walsh as well as at both the Brighton and Lewes Speed Trials. Post-war Lycett averaged over 90 mph for the flying ¾ mile at Silverstone! Still faithful to its original brief this ultimate specification 4½ litre which includes a counterbalanced crankshaft and lightened flywheel and still retains its original coachwork by Corsica.
GF 1541 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fabulous vintage Bentley with a significant history.
Source: Fiskens
Posted: Aug 27, 2013
2006
In England in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member
Posted: Jan 1, 0001
PB3543 was offered at Earls Court Motorshow during Oct. 1977.
1930 Bentley 4½ Litre Short-Chassis Two-Seater Reg. No. GF 1541 Coachwork By Corsica, London
Chassis No. PB 3543 Engine No. RB. 3542
Engine, four-cylinder, overhead-camshaft, monobloc, bore 100mm., stroke 140mm., capacity 4,398c.c.: dual magneto ignition: four-speed gearbox, right-hand change: spiral bevel final drive: footbrake on four wheels, handbrake on rear wheels: suspension semi-elliptic front and rear: wheelbase 10ft. 0in.: tyre size 5.50/6.00 x 19: price new in England (standard tourer), £1,295.
769 4 1/2 litre Bentleys of all types were made, but the short-chassis model was always a special-order item, and must be distinguished from 'cut-and-shut' versions modified late in life. This car was commissioned by the late Forrest Lycett (renowned for his subsequent exploits on an 8-litre) and delivered to him on 18 March, 1930. It carries two-seater sports bodywork with cycle-type wings. The vehicle was raced pre-War at Shelsley Walsh and Brooklands, attaining 112 m.p.h. on the Outer Circuit at the latter venue in 1939. It was laid up in 1941, but was again raced successfully at Silverstone and other venues after World War II. The car passed from Mr. Lycett to his godson, its present owner, in 1959, and has not been raced since 1965.
Condition is commensurate with careful maintenance and a total mileage in the region of 45,000. In 1971 the engine was completely overhauled, and a top overhaul with new pistons was undertaken in 1975/6. Some bills for recent work are available. The chassis was stripped in 1973, the transmission was overhauled two years ago, and the car repainted (in its original colours of black with maroon wings) in 1976. Equipment includes two side-mounted spare wheels, and two extra wheels without tyres.
1930 Bentley 4½ Litre Short-Chassis Two-Seater Reg. No. GF 1541 Coachwork By Corsica, London
Chassis No. PB 3543 Engine No. RB. 3542
Engine, four-cylinder, overhead-camshaft, monobloc, bore 100mm., stroke 140mm., capacity 4,398c.c.: dual magneto ignition: four-speed gearbox, right-hand change: spiral bevel final drive: footbrake on four wheels, handbrake on rear wheels: suspension semi-elliptic front and rear: wheelbase 10ft. 0in.: tyre size 5.50/6.00 x 19: price new in England (standard tourer), £1,295.
769 4 1/2 litre Bentleys of all types were made, but the short-chassis model was always a special-order item, and must be distinguished from 'cut-and-shut' versions modified late in life. This car was commissioned by the late Forrest Lycett (renowned for his subsequent exploits on an 8-litre) and delivered to him on 18 March, 1930. It carries two-seater sports bodywork with cycle-type wings. The vehicle was raced pre-War at Shelsley Walsh and Brooklands, attaining 112 m.p.h. on the Outer Circuit at the latter venue in 1939. It was laid up in 1941, but was again raced successfully at Silverstone and other venues after World War II. The car passed from Mr. Lycett to his godson, its present owner, in 1959, and has not been raced since 1965.
Condition is commensurate with careful maintenance and a total mileage in the region of 45,000. In 1971 the engine was completely overhauled, and a top overhaul with new pistons was undertaken in 1975/6. Some bills for recent work are available. The chassis was stripped in 1973, the transmission was overhauled two years ago, and the car repainted (in its original colours of black with maroon wings) in 1976. Equipment includes two side-mounted spare wheels, and two extra wheels without tyres.
Source: From a sales catalog dated Oct. 27, 1977
Posted: Jul 16, 2007
Earliest Record Of Historical Facts & Information
| Chassis No. | PB3543 |
|---|---|
| Engine No. | PB3542 |
| Registration No. | GF 1541 |
| Date of Delivery: | 28 Feb 1930 |
| Type of Body: | Saloon |
| Coachbuilder: | Freestone & Webb |
| Type of Car: | No info |
| First Owner: | SMITH THOS |
| More Info: | Michael Hay, in his book Bentley: The Vintage Years, 1997, states: "Ex-Lycett car with Corsica 2 seater. Rebuilt by McKenzie on 9'9�" chassis 1936. 4 Litre s/col and back axle. Eng now LM 1335 ex LM 1337 rebuilt as 4� Litre - PB 3542 in HB 3421." |
Mar 1, 2007


























