1930 Bentley Le Mans Tourer

British Racing Green Exterior Green Leather Interior Well Documented from New Has Original 4 British Log Books, All Following Consecutive Owners Original Motor, Chassis, Carbs, Intake Manifolds, Steering 230 page of History & Documentation Always an open Touring Bodied Car, Rebuilt in 1970's as VDP Touring Matching Numbers The Bentley 4 Litre is a British sports car built by Bentley Motors. Replacing the Bentley 3 Litre, it is famous for epitomizing prewar British motor racing and for its popular slogan "there's no replacement for displacement", created by the founder of Bentley, Walter Owen Bentley. Bentley sought to produce a more powerful race car by increasing engine displacement. At the time, noted car manufacturers like Bugatti and Lorraine-Dietrich focused on designing cars to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a popular automotive endurance course established only a few years earlier. A victory in this competition quickly elevated any car maker's reputation. A total of 720 4 Litre were produced between 1927 and 1931, including 55 models with a supercharged engine known as the Blower Bentley. These Bentleys achieved their goal of domination by winning four consecutive Leman 24 Hour races (1927-31). Though its overall competitive performance was not particularly outstanding, the 4 Litre Bentley managed to beat several speed records, most famously in 1932 at Brooklands with a recorded speed of 222.03 km/h. In November 1931, after selling 720 copies of the 4 Litre - 655 aspirated and 55 supercharged - in three different models (Tourer, Drophead Coupand Sporting Four Seater), Bentley was forced to sell his company to Rolls-Royce for 125,175, a victim of the recession that hit Europe following the Wall Street Crash of 1929. 1930 Bentley 4 Litre Chassis: PB3549 Motor: PB3539 Registration Number: ES 1101 As supported by copies of original factory documentation, the car was originally was delivered to Sir James Wilson via Ross Leigh, Ltd of Glasgow. According to factory documents, PB3549's coachwork was done by A.C. Penman & Co. and was built with chrome plated parts, and double spoked wheels. PB3549 was built as an open, long-fendered touring car. This car was rebodied by Richard C. Moss in 1976-77 to original Vanden Plas designs by H. and M. Coachbuilders using as many original bits as possible. Car has been equipped with cycle-style fenders from Stanley Mann (U.K.) Vintage Bentley Dealer. This car was then sold in the U.K a number of times. Included with this car are 4 original logbooks with documentation of each individual owner, as well as a 250 page book of documents, build sheets, owner information, maintenance records dating to 1951, letters from previous owners, records and receipts for re-body in 1976-77 by Richard C. Moss for owner Arthur Cocks (Cornwall, U.K.). Car has two United States owners, both of whom were avid Bentley enthusiasts and tourers, and experts. Full Owner History w/ documentation Sir James Wilson (UK) 1930 sold to Ivor McAdam (UK) 1940 sold to Alexander Archibald Pollock (UK) 1945 sold to Leonard Potter 1948 (UK) sold to John Brian Chadwick 1950 (UK) sold to Mr. A.H. Cocks (Cornwall, UK) 1976 sold to Cutlers of Streetly Ltd. Sutton, UK 1982 Stanely Mann (Edgeware, UK) 1985 Brought to US in 1986 and sold to Armand Zildjan (Zildjian Cymbal Company) 2002 Sold by Vintage Motors of Sarasota to Dale Powers (Sarasota, FL) PB3549 was a recipient of a 497 hour motor rebuild with a receipt from March of 1983 in U.K. This automobile was then imported to the United States in 1985 for owner Armand Zildjian of Zildjian Cymbal Co. During Zildjian's ownership, the metal Le-Man style cycle fenders were installed.This Bentley was purchased from Vintage Motors of Sarasota by Rolls-Royce/ Bentley collector Dale Powers using his Bentley 4 Litre VDP Tourer (SL3055) on trade in 2002. The car is presented in very original condition, from its engine and body panels. The brightwork, the chrome plated radiator, as per original, is new. The covered headlamps, and fenders, and exterior leather are very presentable, as is the quality of the British Racing Green paint. Virtually every element is either original, or period correct or part of the car’s storied past. Signs of road use are apparent, although this is to be expected from an active Tourer such as this. This car is in spectacular condition, the body, the dark green interior leather is soft, and clean with no rips or tears. This car is ready for your collection for showing, and touring. For more information concerning this wonderful piece of Bentley history, please contact Vintage Motors of Sarasota at (941) 355-6500 or www.vintagemotorssarasota.com SPECIFICATIONS Although the Bentley 4 Litre is heavy, weighing 1,625 kg (3,580 lb), and spacious, with a length of 4,380 mm (172 in) and a wheelbase of 3,302 mm (130.0 in), it remains well-balanced and steers nimbly. The manual transmission, however, demands control, as its four gears are unsynchronized. The robustness of the 4 Litre's latticed chassis, made of steel and reinforced with ties, was needed to support the heavy cast iron inline-four engine. Together with two double carburetors and dual ignition with Bosch magnetos, this engine, with a displacement of 4,398 cc (268.4 cu in), with a 100 mm (3.9 in) bore and a 140 mm (5.5 in) stroke, was "resolutely modern" for the time. The engine also produces a high power output of 110 hp (82 kW) for the Touring model and 130 hp (97 kW) for the racing model. The engine speed is limited to 3,500 rpm. The valvetrain has four valves per cylinder, inclined at 30 degrees, and actuated by a single overhead camshaft. This was a technically advanced design at a time where most cars used only two valves per cylinder. With motor racing as its main mission, the Bentley's radiator has a filler cap that does not unscrew but is easily removed with one stroke of the lever. This mechanism minimizes downtime during refueling stops and is used for the oil and gasoline tanks as well. The 4 also comes equipped with a canvas top stretched over a lightweight Weymann body. The structure is very light but still resistant to wind; the rules of the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1924 and 1928 dictated a certain number of laps the hood needed to be closed. The steering wheel, measuring about 45 cm (18 in) in diameter, is itself a solid braided rope held tight for optimal operation. By contrast, the brakes are not particularly innovative, consisting of classical and impressive 17-inch drum brakes, serrated for improved cooling and operated by cable. The front axle is held rigid and the rear drive axle is supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs.