Here are 5 cars for sale, for £17m by Vintage Bentley. This collection has been carefully curated to represent the significance of Bentley‘s pre-war history.

Such was their dominance both on road and track, at home and abroad, Bentley set records and standards for all other motor manufacturers to follow. From long-distance, high-speed luxury continental touring with a five-year warranty, to winning Le Mans no fewer than five times.

Still a British global brand today held in the highest regard and entering their centenary decade there is much to celebrate globally.

Each car in this collection has been chosen for its contribution to Bentley’s success and represents the very best example of its type that complements the collection with purpose.

Originality is the cornerstone of each car and the collection, as such they all uphold their original technical specification and are mechanically original.Each comes with their respective and complete researched ownership history from new and have all undergone a thorough preservation or restoration by Vintage Bentley, therefore, their current excellent condition is another point of note.

From SuperSports to Speed Six, this collection houses both a Le Mans works Team car and Brooklands outer circuit record holder. This exemplifies this significant collection and the brand; we believe there is no other collection comparable.

These blue-chip cars already receive invitations to the world’s most exclusive events and are unrivalled on the market today. Years in the making, The Ultimate Collection presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire five of the most historically significant vintage Bentleys in one sale.

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The Ultimate Bentley Collection

1930 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Vanden Plas Tourer

(Registration Number GC6002)

Model: 4 1/2 Litre

Coachbuilder: Vanden Plas

Year: 1930

Registration Number: GC6002

Chassis Number: AD3652

Engine and Chassis Number: Original

Coachwork: Original

Technical Specification: Original

Ownership History From New: Complete

Longest Single Ownership: 85 Years

Current Event History: Hampton Court Concours

Mechanical Condition: Running Original

Eligible For: Tours/Preservation Class

Rebuilt/ Maintained by: Vintage Bentley

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Chassis AD3652 was delivered 90 years ago from North Audley Street, Mayfair by Jack Olring & Co to a Mr Grout. A sports four seater with fully valanced wings in green.

This heavy chassis 4 1/2 model was built to the latest specification including self-wrapping brakes, electron engine etc. but was unusually delivered with an aluminium sump and long bonnet. The long bonnet was a feature usually reserved for the racing Bentleys.

Unfortunately, Mr Grout failed to keep up repayments on the Bentley and so the car was taken back in by the factory in 1935. Dr William Leslie bought AD3652 from Bentley Motors, and therefore became its first ‘proper’ owner before passing to his son in 1975.

Today AD3652 stands in extremely original condition. She has never been rebuilt, only ever worked on when needed. Recently a careful preservation has just been completed saving most of the interior leather trim and external body covering. The car has been returned to its original green and sympathetically mechanically checked and adjusted. She runs well and is in very practical usable condition with an incredible ownership history.

The only known vintage Bentley to be in family ownership for 85 years having been purchased from the works.

One of the most original Vintage Bentleys still in existence with less than 100,000 miles from new and a benchmark of period finishes.

More on this car here.

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1934 Bentley Barnato Hassan

(Registration number MPE10)

Model: 8 Litre

Coachbuilder: Thomson Taylor

Year: 1934

Registration Number: MPE10

Chassis Number: BH1

Engine and Chassis Number: Original

Coachwork: Non Original

Technical Specification: Original

Ownership History From New: Complete

Longest Single Ownership: 50 Years

Current Event History: Raced and Concours

Mechanical Condition: Race Ready

Eligible For: Any Major Race & Concours

Rebuilt/ Maintained by: Vintage Bentley

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Built for the Ex-Chairman of Bentley Motors, Woolf Barnato, by the legendary brilliant Bentley Engineer Wally Hassan, this racer’s sole purpose was to take the outer circuit lap record at Brooklands. Developed and raced from 1934 till 1938, the Barnato Hassan Bentley competed in 25 races and broke the circuit record several times, ultimately with an unofficial lap of 143.11 mph in September 1938, before moving into storage for the War.

With only 4 owners of note since the War, after a brief period converted to a 2 seat road urned to single seater format for Keith Schellenberg who competed with the car for 54 years. The last and current owner has had the car fastidiously restored over a 10 year period, to its exact lap record setting configuration, from its heyday at Brooklands.

The fastest Vintage Bentley engined racing car made in period -achieved 150+mph.

Fantastic continuous provenance throughout its life with a huge amount of documentation.

The car retains its original chassis and 8 litre engine and also comes with its later 2 seat body. A new engine has been built and is fitted for active use,enabling the preservation of the original unit.

Road registered as MPE 10, which is still assigned to the car.

With 4 owners in the last 84 years, Vintage Bentley present a very rare opportunity to become the next custodian of this legendary racing icon, the definitive Brooklands Bentley and the ultimate period Bentley engined racing car.

History of Brooklands Motor Course, published 1979.

Meanwhile, preparations went ahead for the B.R.D.C 500-Miles Race on September 21st, and a really fine entry was achieved, totally 41 cars… Class B, up to 8-litre, brought in Marker’s venerable 6 1/2 litre Bentley and Bertram’s lap-record-holding Barnato-Hassan…

At last John Cobb rumbled off in the Napier-Railton and the race was “on” with a vengeance. He at once took a path at the very lip of the bankings which he was to occupy throughout the race. At 12.30 pm Bertram led at 121.25 mph, 4 sec, ahead of Cobb on handicap, although the Napier-Railton had averaged 122.22 mph. Everitt’s M.G. Magnette lay third, at 113.74 mph, 9 sec down on his handicap, and Howe was forth, 25 sec to the bad, but holding a 115.15 mph average. Bertram now increased speed, and after an hour’s running he had averaged no less than 126.57 mph, when the breaker strip began to line one rear tyre he brought the Barnato-Hassan in for three fresh wheels.

This let Cobb ahead, at 125.9 mph.

…So at 1.30 pm Cobb led, at the stupendous speed of 126.89 mph. Bertram hanging grimly to second place at 122 mph, although 2 mins down on handicap.

…Cobb lapped majestically at 127 mph, Seaman equalled this lap speed in the rather wild looking Duesenberg, and preparing for another stop. Oliver Bertram was going round at over 130 mph. Signals went out, the Napier-Railton came in. Rotary pumps hosed fuel into the 50-gallon tank and all four wheels were changed, the rear ones so immense as to present a heavy task to the mechanics. The big car was at rest for ten minutes, so that Bertram, by reason of his fast laps, led by 10 sec at 2pm, in spite of the Barnato-Hassan’s own stop having occupied 11 mins. Unfortunately most of the latter’s stop was taken up by an inspection of the fuel tank and very soon the Barnato-Hassan was being pushed to the dead-car park with no means of retaining the essential fluid.

Again Brookland’s rough surface had taken it’s toll!

More on this car here.

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1925 Bentley Le Mans Team Car #10

(Registration number MH7580)

Model: 3 Litre Team Car

Coachbuilder: Vanden Plas

Year: 1925

Registration Number: MH7580

Chassis Number: 1138

Engine and Chassis Number: Original (Cylinder Block)

Coachwork: Original

Technical Specification: Original

Ownership History From New: Complete

Longest Single Ownership: 18 Years

Current Event History: Raced Extensively

Mechanical Condition: Race Ready

Eligible For: Any Major Race & Concours Vintage Bentley

Rebuilt/ Maintained by: Vintage Bentley

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The first ever Bentley Motors works entry to Le Mans, chassis 1138 was entered into the 1925 event, to be driven by Dudley Benjafield and Bertie Kensington Moir and featured a number of refinements devised by the Works to accommodate the demands of this gruelling endurance race.

The preparation included Vanden Plas four-seat coachwork with a lower, more aerodynamic windscreen, various stone guards, a 25 gallon fuel tank,a leather securing bonnet strap and stiffened suspension. The engine was up-rated to SuperSports’ specification, including a higher compression ratio and twin S.U. sloper’ carburettors, in addition to numerous other modifications.

At the start of the 24 hours race, the car performed superbly and despite adhering to the rules stipulating the first 20 laps had to be run with the hood up, with a consequent adverse effect on aerodynamic efficiency, the car still regularly topped over 90 mph. Sadly the Team’s fuel calculations were based on a minimum amount of fuel to be carried to last 20 laps with the hood down… with the result that the car ran out of fuel before the first permitted pitstop. Despite this ignominious debut, #1138 showed enormous competition potential and the Bentley legend at Le Mans was born.

Subsequently used as factory demonstrator, the car then passed into private ownership and in 1977 #1138 covered 1020.75 miles in 17 hours 6 minutes on a fabled road trip in Texas, reaching speeds requiring covert means to evade traffic cops! In 2001, Vintage Bentley restored #1138 with a fanatical degree of accuracy, to its 1925 authentic Le Mans specification. Since then, the car has been campaigned at events such as Le Mans Classic and Goodwood and Vintage Bentley can confirm the car drives superbly, as you would expect from a Works competition thoroughbred restored with active exhilarating use in mind.

Impeccable undisputed provenance and in superb condition, ready for a new custodian to write the next chapter in this hugely significant car’s history, either at the world’s most prestigious events, as a jewel in the crown of any major car collection, or as the ultimate road trip Works Vintage Bentley.

The definitive progenitor of the Bentley Le Mans legend and the actual foundation of Bentley Le Mans competition history, presenting an unrepeatable opportunity to own one of the most significant dual-purpose competition cars ever made.

More on this car here.

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1925 Bentley SuperSports #9

(Registration number TR829)

Model: 3 Litre SuperSports

Coachbuilder: Short

Year: 1925

Registration Number: TR829

Chassis Number: 1174

Engine and Chassis Number: Original

Coachwork: Original

Technical Specification: Original

Ownership History From New: Complete

Longest Single Ownership: 37 Years

Current Event History: Generations Rally

Mechanical Condition: Running Original

Eligible For: Tours/Preservation Class

Rebuilt/Maintained by: Vintage Bentley

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One of the rarest and revered Bentley models, the 100 mph SuperSports was the first Bentley to wear a green badge. The coveted ‘Green Label’. The short wheel base 9 foot chassis bestowed upon the car an agility which is unmatched by any other Bentley model and the high compression 3 litre engine, fed by twin “Sloper” carburettors resulted in the factory providing a guarantee of 100 mph for the SuperSports chassis at Brooklands. This ground breaking performance for the era gave rise to what could be regarded as one of, if not the first “Super Car” in history.

TR 829 was delivered new to a successful Bentley racer, Mr W Barlow in November 1925 in a particularly sporting configuration. Clearly an enthusiastic Bentley owner with performance in mind, he commissioned a very striking occasional 3-seater with impressive lines by the coachbuilding firm ‘Short’ – notable for its unique “Bat Wing” mud guards. The original Service Record notes several special features specified by Barlow, including “Super radiator & Dashboard fitted”, the radiator to the earlier specification to reduce drag and the steering was raked very low, just 12’/2″ from the frame to the rim of the steering wheel. To keep the car small and low, the new type two-piece steering column bracket was used. The Service Record also notes seven leaf rear springs, suited to light coachwork, a lengthened accelerator pedal and stronger camshaft bevel gears.

Throughout its life, TR 829 has remained one of the most original examples still in existence, with a complete ownership history. Recently benefiting from sensitive preservation work by Vintage Bentley, we can confirm the car performs exactly as it should and yes, in case you are wondering, even after 96 years of service, it’s still very invigorating to drive!

A reference example of originality for this rare model, being the 9th of 18 made and 1 of only 4 left with all original coachwork, all matching numbers and built to a highly desirable specification.

The current custodian acquired this car 29 years ago, cars like TR 829 simply don’t become available very often and this is a rare opportunity for the true Bentley connoisseur.

More on this car here.

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1930 Bentley Speed Six Close Couple Coupe

(Registration number GJ755)

Model: Speed Six

Coachbuilder: Martin Walter

Year: 1930

Registration Number: GJ755

Chassis Number: SB2761

Engine and Chassis Number: Original

Coachwork: Original

Technical Specification: Original

Ownership History From New: Complete

Longest Single Ownership: 40 Years

Current Event History: Concours Winner

Mechanical Condition: Race Ready

Freshly Rebuilt

Eligible For: Any Major Race & Concours

Rebuilt/ Maintained by: Vintage Bentley

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This matching numbers Speed Six Bentley was supplied new to Viscount Mandeville the 10th Duke of Manchester. Termed a ‘Folkestone’ close-coupled saloon by the coachbuilder Martin Walter it was the second of only two built.

The 1930 Vintage Bentley Speed Six, registration GJ755, has been in the Medcalf family ownership for over 40 years. Campaigned across the world including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, also raced, and rallied through Europe. This restoration came with a vision like no other; to restore the car to exactly how she left the factory on the 15th May 1930 down to the last nut, bolt and rivet.

Vintage Bentley completed the restoration of the rolling chassis exactly as Bentley Motors Ltd delivered it new. In more detail, all Bentley engines were hand scraped finished, this skill was researched, relearnt, and applied. The chassis frame and Bentley Motors parts were finished painted by hand in grey primer. Subcontract finishes were true to their origins such as SU, BOSH and Smiths, Lucas, AutoVac etc. All these factory and subcontract finishes have been researched and applied as faithfully as possible by the Vintage Bentley team. Prior to dispatch to the coachbuilder, the chassis completed a successful 86-mile test drive just as it did 92 years ago.

Operating solely with the mindset of a coachbuilder, in this case Martin Walter, Vintage Bentley then restored and refitted the car’s original coachwork as in period and protecting Bentley Motors warranty. Nothing on the chassis was removed or dismantled, just as it would have been in 1930 following the original build process to the letter.

From over a 40-year ownership, one of only two close couple coupés and the only surviving example, delivered new to Viscount Mandeville. ·Restored to the exacting standard of the Bentley factory and has set a new benchmark for restorations today.

More on this car here.

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So what do you think? £17m is a whopping great sum of cash. But I was told (by Vintage Bentley) that this collection of vintage cars will only get more valuable as time passes. What’s your favourite car? Mine is the 1934 Bentley Barnato Hassan as you can tell by the multiple pictures I took. I would so love to drive this car, danger, raw power, a thrill and beautiful. So cool.

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