The Bentley 3 Litre was the first model produced by Bentley Motors Limited, founded by Walter Owen Bentley. It was designed to be a high-performance sports car, reflecting Bentley's ambition to produce fast, reliable, and luxurious vehicles. W.O. Bentley, an engineer with a passion for speed and performance, established Bentley Motors in 1919. His vision was to build cars that could compete at the highest levels of motorsport. The prototype Bentley 3 Litre made its debut in October 1919 at the London Motor Show although it took a further two years to get the engine just how W.O. wanted it. The car garnered significant attention for its advanced engineering and potential for high speed and durability. Full production began in 1921, with the first customer cars delivered that year. The 3 Litre quickly earned a reputation for its robust construction and excellent performance.
The Bentley 3 Litre is perhaps best known for its success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It won the prestigious race in 1924, driven by John Duff and Frank Clement. This victory marked Bentley's arrival as a dominant force in endurance racing. The 3 Litre went on to win Le Mans again in 1927 contributing to Bentley's legacy and cementing its place in motorsport history. These victories were largely attributed to the car's reliability, speed, and innovative engineering.
The Bentley 3 Litre was in production until 1929, with around 1,600 units built, making it the most highly produced model at Cricklewood, with the 3 Litre making up over 50% of all the W.O. Bentleys built. It set the standard for future Bentley models and established the marque's reputation for producing high-quality, high-performance vehicles.
The Bentley 3 Litre was renowned for its advanced engineering and robust construction. It was powered by a 2,996 cc inline-four cylinder engine. The engine featured a single overhead camshaft, dry sump lubrication and four valves per cylinder, which was advanced for its time. The standard engine produced around 70 bhp, while the more powerful "Speed Model" which was introduced later delivered up to 80 bhp. The engine was equipped with dual SU carburettors, contributing to its performance and efficiency. A water-cooled system ensured the engine remained at optimal operating temperatures even during demanding conditions.
The car featured a steel chassis frame, which provided a strong and rigid foundation. The front suspension consisted of a solid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, while the rear suspension utilized a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. This setup offered a balance of comfort and handling stability. Initially, the Bentley 3 Litre had drum brakes on the rear wheels only, however, four-wheel brakes became standard in 1924, significantly improving stopping power. The car was equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, known for its durability and smooth operation. A cone-type clutch was used, which was typical of the period.
The Bentley 3 Litre was offered in a variety of body styles, reflecting the bespoke nature of early luxury cars, many of which came from Vanden Plas, a near neighbour to the W.O. works in Cricklewood.
The Bentley 3 Litre was built with three variations available. The Blue Label was the standard offering, built on either a standard wheelbase of 117.5 inches, or a long wheelbase of 130 inches and produced 70bhp. Almost eleven hundred 3 Litres were built to this configuration. The Red Label or Speed Model was offered in only one wheelbase, that being 117.5 inches but did feature a 5.3:1 high compression engine capable of 80bhp. Just over five hundred 3 Litres were built to this configuration. The Green Label was by far the most sparingly built of the three variants available, with just eighteen cars built to this configuration. They were offered only on a short 108-inch wheelbase chassis and featured a high performance 6.3:1 compression ratio engine which was said to guarantee a top speed that exceeded 100mph.
Thoughts from Frank Dale
The Bentley 3 Litre is highly regarded by collectors and enthusiasts for its historical significance and engineering excellence. It is considered by many including ourselves as a landmark vehicle in automotive history, combining advanced engineering, performance, and luxury. Its success on the racetrack, particularly at Le Mans, helped establish Bentley as a premier marque in the automotive world. Today, the 3 Litre is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its enduring appeal as a symbol of early 20th-century motoring excellence.