Pebble Beach, August 2012

"The Green Hornet" 1931 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged 2/3-Seater Boat Tail Roadster
From The Estate Of E. Ann Klein

Coachwork By Gurney Nutting
Chassis No. SM 3916; Engine No. SM 3922; British Registration No. GK 8443

Inline Single Overhead Camshaft 4½-Litre Engine With Four Valves Per Cylinder And Forced Induction By Roots-Type Supercharger

Though only 50 production blower Bentleys were built, experts estimate that 43 still exist. Of that number, few if any are as untouched as this car with its total matching numbers, including its supercharger number, 125. Indeed, no less a vintage Bentley authority than Clare Hay has written about SM3916: "[ It is]… in such original order that the felt damping pad to prevent vibration between the supercharger and the aluminium cowling is still in place."

Its first owner was S.B. Peck, who took delivery on December 31, 1931, from the Jack Barclay showrooms in London. It was fitted with an extremely sporting Gurney Nutting 2/3-passenger-boat tail body, one of two or possibly three executed in this style. In any case, this is the sole remaining example and most closely resembles the Gurney Nutting boat tail built for Bentley chairman and successful Bentley Boy racing driver Woolf Barnato.

This car was one of the earlier Bentley acquisitions from the UK by Bill and Ann Klein and remained a cherished favorite through the years. Bill's nickname for the car was "The Green Hornet," as can be seen on a small plaque on the dashboard. He made a gift of the car to Ann in 1953, and it has remained in her possession ever since. The patina on this Bentley is exemplary. The fabric body's paint shows some crazing, which only adds to its character. The plating is in excellent condition and the rest of the paint shows very well considering its great age.

Typically for a blower, the dashboard carries enough instruments to resemble an aircraft rather than a motorcar. Some of the leather in the seats is in poor condition and may need to be replaced, but otherwise the interior looks ready to use without further attention or upgrades.

It carries a correct period spotlight, likely installed when the car was new, and it retains its original supercharger cover - a rarity in itself as most of these pieces were thrown away or lost over the years. For that extra touch of motoring sportiness, the original windshield folds flat should the driver wish to don goggles and leather helmet for a rapid run.

While this particular Bentley does not boast a factory competition history, it certainly looks the part of a proper sports racing car of the period with its graceful, no-nonsense lightweight boat tail body married to the supercharged 4½-litre chassis and close-ratio gearbox. It delivers what it promises with performance that marks it as a supercar when new and even more so among vintage sports cars today. A recent test drive revealed that the car has a tight, "as new" feel, a smooth, quick-shifting gearbox and the road performance expected from a blower.

This fantastic Bentley is virtually guaranteed to cause a sensation wherever it goes. It is surely a competitive candidate for the Preservation Class at Pebble Beach and will be eligible for any number of concours here and overseas. It will also be eligible for participation in Vintage Sports Car Club racing in Great Britain and America, the Colorado Grand, California Mille, the Le Mans Classic, Monaco Historics and Mille Miglia Revival, along with the popular annual North American Vintage Bentley Meet and Bentley Drivers Club activities.

Any supercharged 4½-litre Bentley must be considered among the top rank in collector cars worldwide. To find one that is so very original with such stunning coachwork gives it an added cachet and desirability that is virtually unique among these marvelous motorcars.

:: One Of The Most Original And Spectacular Blower Bentleys In Existence
:: On Sale For The First Time In Nearly 60 Years
:: Cherished In A Distinguished Collection

In USA in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

These photographs are from a 1954 car show.

SM3916. Sold to USA, advert 1953 Motor Sport

The first 25 production Supercharged 4½ Litre cars where Chassis Nos. SM3901-SM3925, all with "smooth-case" blowers. The next 25 were Chassis Nos. MS3926-MS3950 and had "rib-case" blowers.

Production Blower Bentleys had handbrake handles made from rectangular stainless steel, whereas the five 4½ litre race cars for Tim Birkin had the "H" section handle, but were drilled for lightness.

"I am trying to gather facts and write about my rather mysterious and obviously speed loving and wealthy Great Aunt Miss Nora (Hardy) McCaw.

She owned many Bentleys in the 1930s. Details of the W.O. Bentley can be seen below:

GN 6090 (Blower)
GJ 7597 (4� Litre)
GX 2338 (8 Litre)
GK 8443 (perhaps the most famous of all The Green Hornet.)

I think there are more and then she moved on to Rolls Royces in the 1950s.

Is there any way you can search your records for past owners? You obviously have the most fabulous data base and I wondered if you can help me in my quest to track down some of her cars?"