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31 - 1928 – Bentley 3 Litre Skiff by Barker
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Estimate €200,000 - €300,000
Sale commission
Description
1928 – Bentley 3 Litre Skiff by Barker Chassis no. DN1734 Vehicle sold without an MOT ‘Known and documented history; bodywork from the 1926 London Motor Show’   In the early 1910s, Walter-Owen Bentley ran a French car dealership in London with his brother. In 1914, he tuned a small DFP (Doriot-Flandrin-Parant), notably by fitting aluminium pistons, which would henceforth become his ‘trademark’. In the aftermath of the First World War, W.-O. decided to build his own car and founded Bentley Motors Limited on 10 January 1919. He developed a stunning, aeronautically inspired engine with an overhead camshaft and extensive use of aluminium: a 2,996 cm³ four-cylinder unit producing 70 ch, mated to an interesting four-speed gearbox. It was a ‘long-stroke’ engine (149 mm stroke by 80 mm bore) offering very high torque, distinguished by an incredibly low idle speed (400 rpm) and its quiet operation.    The first Bentley 3 Litre was unveiled at the London Motor Show that same year; some parts, which were not ready in time, were made of wood and featured trompe-l’œil detailing, but the car was already a huge success! Following the first three prototypes (EXP1, EXP2 and EXP3), the very first production car went on sale in September 1921. Initially regarded as a sports tourer, the Bentley 3 Litre became a true sports car by winning the second edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924. The legend of the Bentley Boys and the Crewe factory was well and truly underway… The 3-litre, the brand’s cornerstone model, was produced in a total of 1,624 units up until 1928.     Our example was delivered on 15 October 1928 with a two-door coupé body by W. Arnold of Manchester to its first owner, Mr A. Sidebottom. As one of the last 10 3-litre models delivered, #DN1734 has the considerable advantage of being mounted on a 4.5-litre-type chassis, which is far sturdier than those of the 3-litre models, which were notorious for breaking under stress. In 1967, the car came into the hands of its second owner, who decided to replace the two-door coupé bodywork with a Tourer by Freestone and Webb, taken from a 1923 3-litre model. It changed hands again in 1978, before being put up for auction in 2004, still in this configuration, requiring some engine refurbishment. Its fourth owner kept #DN1734 for only a short time before passing it on to the current owner, a discerning collector of pre-war cars. Following its purchase, the family who owned the original chassis of this Freestone and Webb Tourer offered to sell it back to the collector. A true connoisseur, the current owner simultaneously found the original bodywork of the Bentley 3 Litre #LT1578: a Barker-built Skiff, exhibited at the London Motor Show in 1926. #DN1734 now has a new, highly significant body, which it still bears today. After some twenty years together, this sumptuous 3-litre is presented to us in superb condition, both in terms of running order and appearance. It is accompanied by a comprehensive dossier detailing its history and the mechanical work carried out by its current owner.    Now offered at a very attractive estimate, this 3 Litre – with its well-documented history and high-quality bodywork – is sure to delight any enthusiast seeking one of the finest pre-war cars!
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About the sale Autoworld 2026 | Auction & Motion
Auction location
Auction time 10/10/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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