1922 Bentley 3-4½ Litre

This remarkably early Bentley 3 Litre, chassis 154, was delivered new to the then Chairman of Bentley Motors, Mr Stuart De La Rue, in December 1922 and registered PM 1585.

Being such an early example, PM 1585 was built at a time when Bentley Motors were yet to design a sporting open four-seat body for the 3 Litre’s 9’ 9 ½ ” chassis, with H.M. Bentley and his sales manager, A.F.C. Hilstead agonising endlessly over an attractive design. Eventually H.M. Bentley sketched his vision, and this was sent to famed coachbuilders R. Harrison & Son, Ltd. to produce a ‘prototype’ body, which was fitted new to PM 1585.

Shortly after this, Park Ward would produce a near identical design for A.F.C. Hilstead’s demonstrator 3 Litre, before the design was taken over for more extensive production by Vanden Plas.

Following delivery, PM 1585 was tested by ‘The Motor’ in their issue published on 6th March 1923. Their road test concluded ‘From the point of view of appearance the Bentley is good looking and the four-seater body is wide and roomy, and, in point of fact the car does not look anything like so outré as do the majority of models which are capable of its speed. There is little to suggest that the good performance has been obtained as a result of the windage or comfort being cut down to a minimum.’

Given De La Rue’s stature within Bentley Motors, PM 1585 would effectively become a development/experimental car, being extremely well maintained and often benefitting from upgrades that would go on to become standard fitment on later production cars. These works were scholastically recorded in the Bentley Motors maintenance records. Notable works include the fitment of front wheel brakes in December 1923, and SU ‘Sloper’ carburettors in December 1925.

In 1927, PM 1585 was sold to Mr Drummond, the 15th Baron Strange of Megginch Castle, Errol, Pershore. The Baron also had a residence in London’s Sloane Square and commuted regularly. Service records confirm that during Drummond’s ownership, regular maintenance was carried out at his own garage at Megginch Castle, with parts being sent from Bentley Motors.

The 3 Litre would remain in Scotland throughout the war years, before passing into the ownership of Mr Richard Russel. Charming period photos on file show that the car was regularly enjoyed by the whole Russel family and was even fitted with a tow bar and used to tow his sailing dinghy!

In 1959, PM 1585 was parked up in a garage and stored for almost 5 decades, re-emerging in 2006, showing no major corrosion, and almost entirely intact. A year later, the car was auctioned at RM Sotheby’s London sale, and was purchased by the highly respected British collector and restorer, Ben Collins.

Over the next few years, Collins lovingly restored PM 1585, taking great care to ensure the restoration was done to the correct specification and to a standard that such an important W.O. deserves. The original aluminium body was completely stripped back to the bare metal, with the original ash frame found to be in very good condition. At this time, the original engine was rebuilt and converted to 4.5 Litre specification – a common and desirable modification that dates back to 1927 and is deemed by many to be the ultimate combination for a W.O. Bentley. The results of this restoration are stunning.

From Collins, the Bentley passed into the world-renowned collection of Peter Neumark, who enjoyed PM 1585 on both the 2018 and 2019 Flying Scotsman Rally, before being purchased by the current owner in 2020.

In its current ownership, the car has regularly been maintained by marque specialist, Ewan Getley of Kingsbury Racing at Bicester Heritage. Today, PM 1585 oozes charm, and presents a rare opportunity to purchase such an important and original 3 /4 ½ Litre.