As the first model put into production by W.O. Bentley’s eponymous new automotive firm, the 3-Litre is for many the purest of the Cricklewood company’s creations. Of the 1,600 or so cars built, chassis 584 was delivered in May 1924 and owned first by AR Edwards. As listed in vintage Bentley expert Stanley Sedgwick’s All the Pre-War Bentleys—As New, this car was originally specified as a short chassis Speed Model (featuring the high-compression 2,996-cc engine fed by twin SU carburettors) and dressed in four-seater Tourer bodywork by Vanden Plas.

The car was then acquired in 1928 by Mrs Rose Lancaster of Buckinghamshire. It is fair to say that under her custodianship, the Bentley endured a colourful few years. In April, an incident meant the rear axle banjo needed replacing. The following May, another excursion forced repairs to the front end. The next month, the chassis required straightening after a separate altercation. February 1930 brought another sizeable mishap for chassis 584, with the car’s engine subsequently damaged while the frame was ultimately ruled to be beyond repair. Step forward one E Bowler, who bought the car in its sorry state and commissioned a full rebuild. At this point, the body is thought to have been replaced with a correct-type original from Vanden Plas.

While the complete chain of ownership is not known, a succession of keepers followed World War II before, in 2002, the Bentley was purchased by AJ Carpenter of Moreton Pinkney in West Northamptonshire. The car was next registered to Mr Cedric Charles Cook of Stratton, Cornwall before being acquired by Melwood Partnership of Stockport. Then, in August 2014, this Speed Model was acquired by The Best of British Collection.

Over the past 11 years, chassis 584 has been treated to more than £196,000 of restorative work. This includes a full strip-down and colour change to the current green hue by Haslams Body Repairs of Bolton. Invoices (available to view on file) from vintage car specialist VBE Restorations alone total £171,458 across 2013 as the 3-litre engine was increased to 4½-litre capacity while the interior was retrimmed with green Quartz Wilton Carpets plus Bank of England Green leather. Today, this Bentley retains its original numbered components: engine crankcase, front axle, bonnet, steering column, and differential nose-piece.

Extremely well looked after in recent years and featuring desirable performance upgrades, this wonderful Speed Model presents an excellent opportunity to enjoy all of the pomp and circumstance associated with pre-war motoring.