For Sale £300,000
This 1928 Bentley 4 ½ Litre, chassis no. RN3038, has been in its current form for 75 years! It stands out from the more typical Le Mans style vintage Bentleys, being a 2-seater with lower than standard lines, and having attractive teardrop wings, reminiscent of a Delahaye 135 CS Le Mans.
Douglas Wilson-Spratt was the mastermind behind this exciting car. He was a gifted ex-Bristol Aviation (and then Bristol Car Company) engineer, who sought to build the ultimate lightweight vintage Bentley for competition and fast road use. Spratt went on to produce a series of highly regarded lightweight sports racing cars known as WSM’s, based upon Austin-Healey Sprites.
Originally built to standard 4 ½ Litre specification on the 10’10” chassis, it was first registered UC1940 and sold by Henley’s to Lord David Davies of Plas Dinam in Montgomeryshire. The company service records show the coachbuilder Harrison crossed out and amended to Victor Broom, open 4-seats. The service record is continuous through to 1936 during which time no major work was carried out.
As with so many vintage Bentleys, records of the car’s whereabouts following the company service records through to the early 1950s is incomplete. During this period, UC1940 was re-registered FBL 732, a 1949 Berkshire number. This was a common trick to take advantage of a loophole in the taxation system, reducing the Bentley’s road tax to £10 per year!
By 1949, the car was owned by Douglas Wilson Spratt, and he embarked upon his quest to build a lightweight vintage Bentley 4 ½ special, using all genuine 4 ½ litre components. The original chassis (RN 3038) was shortened to 9’ 9 ½” by George Burton, before he started his Bentley business in Henley. Much of the running gear was donated from RL 3443 (engine, steering column and back axle). Great care was given to weight saving, with the car receiving a greatly lightened fly wheel and cone clutch; the pedals were lightened; and aluminium side lights fitted. The radiator and bulkhead were shortened to achieve a lower line, and its lightweight body was produced using aviation principles, believed to have been carried out by Bristol. To further enhance the car, a D-type close ratio gearbox was also fitted, together with a later ‘self-wrapping’ braked front axle from DS3553 (also owned by Spratt). It must be remembered, this was done during a period when it was possible to ‘cherry pick’ all the best bits, and this was done by a gifted sports car builder, who focused significantly on weight saving. There are images on file of the completed car dating back to 1951, together with letters from Spratt to the current owner.
In 1956 Spratt sold the car to Richard Coates who was heavily involved with the Bristol rocket program. In 1962, the car participated in The Pommery Trophy under the ownership of Pierre de Villiers. Shortly after this, the car was sold to America where it spent considerable time in a museum, before being repatriated to the UK by Stanley Mann in 1988. With the help of the BDC, Stanley successfully reinstated the car’s original registration number UC1940.
Remaining in the form as built by Spratt, the current owner purchased the car in 1995. Following a year of use, he commissioned a full engine rebuild including re-white metaling the bottom end, the fitting of Speed Six type conrods, a full flow oil filter and Pheonix rockers. Following this, the car was toured through France and Spain covering 3000 trouble free miles. Upon the car’s return home, a restoration of the chassis and coachwork was carried out. Today the car presents beautifully, finished in dark blue, with an attractive dashboard. It has real presence and certainly provides an exciting drive.
Having been in the same cherished ownership for the last 29 years, it is now seeking a new custodian for its next chapter. We feel this exciting vintage Bentley will offer its next custodian great opportunities, whether on the track, participating in endurance rallying, or simply being gently toured. In any event, it is sure to turn heads and stand out from the crowd.
