Later this year, Gooding & Company will return to the UK for its latest London-based auction loaded with elegant and stunning European automobiles. The sale, scheduled for September 3, will be held in conjunction with the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, of which Gooding is a partner and sponsor. The sale now includes four beautiful Bentleys from the Timeless Collection.
Leading this cavalcade of British icons is a 1928 Bentley 4½ Litre Sports Tourer with coachwork by Vanden Plas. This coveted sports tourer is finished in black Rexine fabric with a contrasting red leather interior. A highly preserved example, the 4½ Litre is fitted with its original chassis, engine and body. It has been a part of the Timeless Collection since 2008, during which time it was maintained by professionals.
Alongside the 4½ Litre, are two 8 Litre Bentleys from the Timeless Collection. First, is a 1932 Bentley 8 Litre Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner. Delivered new in the UK, the saloon’s second owner disassembled the car and placed the parts in crates. In the early 1960s, automobile manufacturer and race team owner Peter J. Agg purchased the parts and commissioned Trojan Inc. to restore the Bentley. It was more recently professionally refinished in the current color scheme. Retaining its matching-numbers engine, transmission and coachwork, the car is accompanied by an extensive tool kit, Bentley Motors Eight Litre Catalog, a correct handbook and old-style buff registration logbook.
The second 8 Litre example in the collection is a 1932 Bentley 8 Litre Sports Tourer with coachwork in the style of Vanden Plas. Originally built on a 13-foot chassis with Wylder open two-seater coachwork, the body was removed, and the chassis shortened to 12 feet by H.L. Good, who purchased the car in 1946. The chassis was later stored until sold to Bentley expert Stanley Mann in 1991. He embarked on a four-year journey to create the current Le Mans-style coachwork.
The final member of this group is a 1929 Bentley Speed Six Sports Saloon with coachwork by Freestone & Webb. Built on the shorter of the three wheelbase lengths, the body is of the Weymann-type using fabric construction. This is the coachwork fitted to the car today, which still sports its original Rexine covering. Likewise, this well-preserved Bentley is still fitted with its matching-numbers engine.
The full catalog for Gooding & Co.’s London Auction can be viewed here
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