Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction

Rare Bentleys to star in 30^th celebration auction 

• A 1927 Bentley 3/4½-Litre Tourer and 1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre 'Le Mans' Style Tourer are set for auction on the 20 September.
• Both cars are icons of their era, boasting a legacy of performance, elegance, and innovation.
• These vintage wonders will be auctioned off at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

A duo of rare Bentleys with fascinating histories, a 1927 3/4½-Litre Tourer and a 1928 4.5 Litre 'Le Mans' Style Tourer, are set to cross the auction block courtesy of H&H Classics, as part of the company’s 30^th anniversary sale at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, on the 20 September.

The 1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre 'Le Mans' Style Tourer, was initially supplied to Georgian royalty, Prince George Imeretinsky, a known ‘Bentley Boy’. Its Le Mans style Tourer coachwork is a delight, and having been extensively restored in the 1990s, it still stands in impeccable condition. One of just 669 manufactured, Imeretinsky had the 4.5 Litre bodied as a Sports Four-Seater and configured to run with a lower compression ratio to make it more suitable to use in countries where low octane petrol was the norm.

The 4.5 Litre model is considered by many to be the best vintage Bentley for road rallying and the example on offer retains its original, London-issued registration number ‘UC 8791’. The car has gracefully journeyed through time, touring France and the UK on several occasions and will be offered for sale at the Imperial War Museum with an estimate of £380,000 - £450,000.

“Our September sale is a significant milestone for H&H, marking our 30^th anniversary so it is only right that we are gathering a fantastic selection of classic, collector and performance cars for the auction,” comments Damian Jones, senior motorcar specialist, H&H Classics. “To have either of these Bentleys in the sale would have been fitting for such an occasion, but to be able to offer both is an honour and testament to the experience and relationships of our team. These are cars that don’t just turn heads, but also tell tales of times gone by. They're both masterpieces and will undoubtedly be among the star attractions at the auction.”

Meanwhile, the second Bentley, a 1927 3/4½-Litre Tourer which has been in single-family ownership for nearly sixty years, is a gem with its original Vanden Plas Four Seat Tourer body and matching number chassis.

Under the attentive care of Mr Shotton and subsequently his family, the Bentley has seen modifications for usability without compromising on its vintage charm. It encapsulates nearly a century of automotive history, gracefully ageing, and is sure to be the crown jewel in any enthusiast's collection. A car born out of an era where racing victories enhanced brand reputations, the vehicle is estimated between £180,000 - £220,000.

“Alongside the stunning vehicles on offer at the sale, we are excited to be hosting a special celebration of our achievements from our first 30 years,” adds Jones. “We look forward to welcoming our guests on the day, regardless of whether they are vendors, potential bidders, past clients or simply classic car fans looking to join like-minded enthusiasts for what promises to be a fantastic day out.”

H&H’s 30^th anniversary sale will take place on 20 September at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, with potential buyers having the opportunity to view these cars the day before. Bidding is open online, via telephone, or in person. For a comprehensive look at all the cars under the hammer, enthusiasts can head to www.handh.co.uk.