23 Jan 2010
Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles
Automobiles d'Exception á Rétromobile

1931 Bentley 4-Litre/8-Litre Le Mans-style Tourer
Chassis no. VF4012
Engine no. YM5046

The 8-litre Bentley offered here -– chassis number 'VF4012' -– started life as a 4-Litre, which was the old Cricklewood company's swansong model before its absorption by Rolls-Royce and was intended to compete with the latter's successful 20/25hp. The six-cylinder engine was designed by Ricardo, with overhead inlet/side exhaust valves and a claimed output of 120bhp at 4,000rpm. A double-drop chassis was adopted, closely based on that of the contemporary Bentley 8-Litre, and offered in two wheelbase lengths: 11' 2" and 11' 8", both of which were shorter than the shortest of the two 8-Litre chassis available.

Only 50 4-Litres were completed before the original Bentley company's liquidation, of which only 12 are known to exist today. The 4-Litre model has been much maligned and is little understood, as so few were built. Because it was too heavy for its power, yet had the best chassis, gearbox and rear axle of all the Bentleys, many were converted into 6½-litre and 8-litre specials, the car offered here being one such.

First registered on 21st August 1931, 'GP 7192' was supplied new to the Earl of Dumfries and originally fitted with saloon coachwork by Freestone & Webb. In 1950 the Bentley was bought by Oliver Batten, who over three years made many modifications to convert 'GP 7192' into the well-known competition car it is now, using engine number 'YM5046' and components from other 8-Litre cars. Up-rated for competition and fitted with three SU carburettors (instead of the original two), the huge engine drives via an 8-Litre F-type gearbox and 2.62:1 final drive, giving a top speed (then) of 125mph (201km/h). Panelcraft of Putney built a two-seater sports body and Oliver Batten and his son David competed successfully in this very fast car until 1989 when David Batten sold 'GP 7192' to Victor Gauntlett, the well-known collector and (at the time) owner of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd and Pace Petroleum.

Since then, the mechanical and chassis layout has not changed although the car has been completely restored. The engine and drive train were overhauled by the well-known Bentley restorers, Elmdown Engineering Ltd of Hungerford, who increased the engine performance considerably. The complete chassis assembly was painstakingly restored by David Gaul and fitted with a Le Mans Tourer body, beautifully proportioned and detailed by Roger Wing, while the trimming, seats and hood were all perfectly finished by well known Bentley trimmer Alan Geater. The panelwork, aluminium and detailed finishing work were carried out to the highest standard. A previous owner reputedly spent approximately £100,000 on 'GP 7192' and this latest rebuild has been a 'no expense spared' restoration.

Oliver Batten raced 'GP 7192' extensively throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and his results are recorded in the Bentley Club Reviews. In Belgium in 1959 the Bentley covered the Flying Kilometre at a speed of 124.828mph (201km/h) and the Flying Mile at 123.6mph (199km/h). 'GP 7192' often competed in the Brighton Speed Trials and many other Club events and hill climbs. This car is well documented by the Bentley Drivers Club and has often been mentioned for its exceptional performance in the Bentley Review. 'GP 7192' also appears in Bentley Specials and Special Bentleys by Ray Roberts (pages 85 and 86).

'GP 7192' continued to be campaigned successfully by its immediately preceding owner, attending the Vintage Monthléry weekend, the Historic Festival at Rockingham Speedway, the Jersey Festival of Motoring and the European Concours d'Elegance at Schloss Schwetzingen, Heidelberg as well as club meetings at Silverstone and Goodwood. These trips and many other excursions put approximately 4,500 miles on the odometer and provided the opportunity to get everything 'on the button'.

Immediately prior to its acquisition by the Marbella Collection early in 2003, 'GP 7192' was serviced, cleaned and fitted with rebuilt front road springs, new tyres, a new heavy-duty battery and four new aluminium Bentley 'B' steps (correspondence and invoice on file). Benefiting from a high quality restoration, this is a thoroughly sorted car: well appointed, sensationally fast, very good looking and possessing an interesting history.

23 Jan 2010
Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles
Estimate: €450,000 - 550,000
£350,000 - 430,000
US$ 550,000 - 680,000

Coys, Rockingham 2001

 

Bentley 8 litre Tourer