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1921 BENTLEY 3 LITRE
In August 1921 the first production Bentley (the 3 Litre AX 3827 model) was sold to Noel van Raalte – a well-known, wealthy race car driver. Five of
these were made per week and the unique British machines were heavily engineered to meet the demands of racing.
Although the 3 Litre was designed for the track, owners began to fit heavy all-weather bodies which meant some cars weighed a 1.5 tonnes. Bentley
imposed strict conditions on the chassis of the car, which had to be taken to for approval at Cricklewood before the 5 year guarantee was granted.
It could be purchased with either a short or long chassis, with the longer framework proving more popular with customers, outnumbering the shorter model by almost five to one.
Famous automotive illustrator, F. Gordon Crosby, drew an impression of the 3 Litre before it was finished, with a distinctive round radiator shape and
a coloured, winged Bentley badge. Although not required, it was customary to specify a 3 Litre with a Bentley badge in a particular colour, with blue, green, yellow, maroon or red badges available.
From 1924 -1929 the Speed model was introduced, which was a development of a special TT Replica. In total, 71 of these were produced with the additional features of four wheel brakes and twin SU carburettors.
The Bentley 3 Litre won Le Mans in 1924 driven by John Francis Duff and Frank Clement.
In 1927 the famous 'White House' crash (which involved all three of the widely tipped Bentley team's entries) caused the retirement of two of the
cars. Despite this setback, Old Number Seven, driven by Sidney Charles Houghton Davis and John Dudley Benjafield, won the race against all odds.
Old Number Seven had to be partially dismantled to get it through the doorway and upstairs for a celebratory dinner at The Savoy.
Dates Produced; 1921-1929
Number Built; 194 short wheelbase; 765 long wheelbase; 959 total
Price New; Sold in 1919 for £750
Engine; 3 Litre, 4 cyl, 4-valves, hollow overhead camshaft gear-driven from front. Cast-iron non-detachable cylinder head, Cast iron cylinders. Aluminium crankcase
Transmission; 4-speed gearbox, Ferodo cone clutch, right hand change
Chassis; With bodywork 28cwt (1422.4kg) to 35cwt (1778kg).
Dimensions; Wheelbase (short) 117 in (298 cm); (long) 130 in (330 cm); track 56 in (142cm); length (short) 159 in (404 cm), (long) 172 in (438 cm); width 68 in (174 cm); ground clearance 7.2 in (18.5 cm)
Performance; Maximum speed of 75mph (120.4kph). 0-60mph in 40sec
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