1931 Bentley 4/8-Litre Two-Seater
Registration no. GY 8885
Chassis no. VF4014
*4-Litre chassis; 8-Litre engine
*Built 2015-2017 by a well-known and highly respected marque specialist
*Exemplary specification
*Extensively campaigned
*Ready to enjoy  
Footnotes:
This magnificent Bentley open tourer incorporates elements of two of W O's final models, featuring a 4-Litre chassis and 8-Litre engine. The Bentley 4-Litre was the old Cricklewood company's swansong model before its absorption by Rolls-Royce. With the Depression biting, sales of the old 4½-Litre declining, and its newest, 8-Litre, car costing all of £1,850 in chassis form, Bentley Motors desperately needed a new smaller model to compete with the Rolls-Royce 20/25hp. The result was the 4-Litre. The six-cylinder engine was designed by Ricardo, with overhead inlet/side exhaust valves and a claimed output of 120bhp at 4,000rpm. A double-drop chassis was adopted, closely based on that of the contemporary Bentley 8-Litre, and offered in two wheelbase lengths: 11' 2' and 11' 8', both of which were shorter than the shortest of the two 8-Litre chassis available. Only 50 4-Litre models were completed before Bentley went into liquidation.

With its Ricardo-designed engine and heavy, over-engineered chassis, the 4-Litre has never been a favourite with Bentley aficionados, and many, such as the example offered here, have been converted into exciting sports cars using the 8-Litre engine. The first owner of 'VF4014' was Viscount Mountgarret, who specified H J Mulliner saloon coachwork and registered the car as 'C 2'.
The current vendor, a well-known and highly respected marque specialist, built this car between June 2015 and September 2017 for his own use. The project had been started in the 1950s, and despite the passage of time this 4-Litre's major components had remained together, the chassis, front axle, rear axle, differential, suspension, and brakes all being original to 'VF4014'. The car has been constructed to a very high specification using a combination of original parts or parts remanufactured to original specification. The brief for building this car was that it must be good looking and perform well; the brief has been executed perfectly. 

The engine consists of an original 6½-Litre crankcase with a new 8-Litre block. The crankshaft, con-rods, pistons, camshaft, rockers, oil pump, water pump, and camshaft and crankshaft dampers are all new. The engine breathes through triple 8-Litre carburettors, while the mixture is sparked by an original Bosch GF6A magneto and distributor.

The engine is cooled by a cut down Speed Six radiator and original mechanical fan (we are advised that the engine never gets hot). The fuel system features an
FIA fuel cell of approximately 40 gallons capacity; a Facet twin-pump fuel delivery system; and an air pressure system.

The chassis has been shortened to a wheelbase of 10'6', the front springs being shortened also and the front axle moved forward. The front cross member came from another 4-Litre and has been modified to mount to the front of the engine, while the 4-Litre gearbox cross members have been replaced with the Speed Six type to accommodate the new D-type gearbox.

The original 4-Litre brakes have been retained, the front self-wrapping brake being changed to pull on, while finned aluminium brake drums and a Speed Six Clayton brake servo are other notable features. The front axle believed to be original while the original rear axle's brake plate orientation has been changed. The rear axle has been rebuilt with new bearings, seals, half-shafts and hubs. Final drive ratio is 3:1.

The steering box is a 4-Litre component, which has been repositioned courtesy of a special manufactured mount and cross-shaft. The four-spoke cast aluminium steering wheel is from a 6½-Litre model.

The suspension movement is damped by four Andre Hydro Tele Control shock absorbers at the front, while at the rear there are four 8-Litre Bentley & Draper units and two Andre Hydro Tele Control.

Two original Carl Zeiss 220mm headlamps provide the illumination, while the rear lamps are original Scintilla. The alternator has been disguised to look like a dynamo, and the starter motor is by CAV.

As one would expect of a Vintage-era Bentley there is a wonderful array of original instruments that do not look over-restored, from the likes of Jaeger, Smiths, Western and Cambridge. The dashboard lights, switches and Smiths starter are all original.

The open tourer body was built to the vendor's own design and specification. It is all aluminium with a tubular frame, finished in black. The seats are trimmed in black leather with inflatable cushions, and there is a small amount of storage space under and behind them. A black mohair tonneau cover is included.
This is a very well proven car that has been extensively campaigned; indeed, the owner has had a lot of fun with it at track events such as Ascari, Silverstone and Goodwood, where a little while ago it competed in the Benjafield's Double 12.  
Lot to be sold without reserve.