Description

The Bentley 3 – 4.5 Litre represents one of the most iconic eras in the history of early British motoring, capturing the spirit of adventure, innovation, and racing prestige that defined the interwar period. The story begins with the Bentley 3 Litre, launched in 1919 and entering production in 1921. Designed by W.O. Bentley himself, the car was a groundbreaking achievement in engineering. It featured a 2996 cc inline-four engine with an overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, and twin spark ignition—advanced features for its time. The chassis was rigid and durable, intended to handle both the rigors of competition and the expectations of a refined touring car.

The 3 Litre quickly earned a reputation for reliability and performance, most famously securing victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and again in 1927, cementing Bentley’s legacy in endurance racing. These successes were in large part due to a group of wealthy, thrill-seeking British enthusiasts known as the “Bentley Boys,” who raced the cars with great flair and brought immense publicity to the marque.

In 1927, Bentley introduced the 4.5 Litre, an evolution of the 3 Litre that retained the same chassis but was fitted with a more powerful 4398 cc inline-four engine. The goal was to increase performance while maintaining durability. The naturally aspirated 4.5 Litre proved fast and dependable, winning Le Mans again in 1928. In pursuit of even greater speed, Bentley engineer Sir Henry “Tim” Birkin developed the supercharged version, known as the “Blower Bentley.” Although visually striking with its large Roots-type blower mounted in front of the radiator, the Blower 4.5 Litre was plagued by reliability issues and failed to replicate the success of the naturally aspirated cars in endurance events. Nonetheless, the Blower Bentleys became some of the most recognizable and desirable pre-war sports cars ever built.

Both the 3 Litre and 4.5 Litre were offered in various body styles—Tourer, Saloon, Drophead Coupé—and were frequently bodied by bespoke coachbuilders like Vanden Plas and Mulliner. These cars combined competition-grade performance with grand touring comfort, allowing owners to drive their Bentleys to the track, compete, and drive them home again.

Production of the 3 Litre ended in 1929 after around 1,600 units were built, while just over 600 4.5 Litre models were produced between 1927 and 1931. Today, these Bentleys are celebrated not only for their competition pedigree but also for their enduring mechanical quality, elegant proportions, and charismatic presence. They remain among the most coveted and valuable vintage automobiles, often appearing at prestigious concours events and vintage racing gatherings worldwide.