1925' Bentley 3 Litre

Chassis 889 was delivered in February 1925 new to Major L. Bainbridge of Lincolnshire, England. The engine number was 881 and the body was a 4 seater sports body built by VandenPlas on a 9’ 9½” wheelbase chassis. The English license plate was FU4316. In the beginning of 1927 the car had an accident and was then fitted with new brake drums and leaf springs. The next owner in 1929 was W. Hutchinson of Westminster followed by C. Burn of Morpeth, Northumberland in 1931. In 1933 the car was in the property of F.A. Markham of Swanley, Kent and unfortunately in 1934 the service records stopped. The Lincolnshire registration records, however, show that chassis 889 was disassembled by Bentley Ltd. in 1934 and that the chassis frame was used in the 3 litre Bentley with original chassis number LM1350. In 1963 the chassis of 889 was subsequently removed and sold with various components to F. Majzub. He has rebuild the car completely. In 2001 chassis 889 was for sale with a 4½ litre engine probably the same as the one which is in the car now. This engine with number 828 was originally mounted in 3 litre chassis 817, but was later used in 4½ chassis RN3042. In the eighties this engine was subsequently removed from this chassis and installed in chassis 889. In 2008 889 was in the possession of John Brydon somewhere in the Midlands.

889 with her original and lovely colour scheme of maroon/black is a genuine vintage W.O. Bentley for the real aficionado. Due to her powerful 4½ litre engine she is a very fast and reliable car that easily can cope with modern traffic. The overdrive reinforces this and also guarantees a smooth running of the engine. Therefore she is the perfect vintage Bentley for long distance and trouble free touring, even on mountainous routes. To keep the looks of an early 3 Litre Bentley the typical tapered radiator was renewed and enlarged to accommodate to bigger engine. A lot of work was done (brakes, magnetos, gearbox, carburettors) to make her an easy-to-handle and safe car to drive.

The VDP body number is 1115. The engine (number is 828) has a original split 3 litre sump. Chassis number is 889. The steering box and the front axle are original. Box number AP313. Axle number 888. Rear axle number 843; banjo nose 1163. Gearbox is a B type. The clutch is a Borg & Beck, rebuilt using modern materials. The car has an electric fuel pump. The two sloper carburettors have been fully restored. All instruments are original with 3 litre markings on. The switch plate is original with chassis no. stamped on.

To fully appreciate this impressive vintage Bentley you have to drive her.