1924 | Bentley 3 Litre

W.O. Bentley had a passion for the un-supercharged model. So much so that it was originally the 3-litre-powered car that he took to Le Mans and raced with great success. These are thus highly desired, and the story of this fine motor car is well documented.

This truly stunning Freestone &Webb Tourer is presented in British Racing Green with Bridge of Weir green leather trim, a fabulous car, having been fully restored over a period of several years from the bare chassis frame up. The work, which is fully documented and photographed has been carried out to a very high standard and the results speak for themselves.

Reviewing the history of the car we can ascertain that it was ordered new by David Yule and bodied by Vanden Plas as an Open Tourer. By the time he ordered 537, David had already led a very full life - born in 1895 in Germany, during his formative years he lived with his family in North Gate, Regent's Park and returned to Cologne shortly before WWI as a student. After only a short time in Cologne and due to the outbreak of hostilities, David Yule was arrested and interned at Ruhleben for the duration; the Ruhleben Register gives David Yule's address as 24 North Gate, a magnificent, serviced mansion block built circa 1907 and requisitioned during WWII for use by the Government.

It would seem that David Yule was a scion of the Yules of Scotland and India who had business interests in the Jute, finance, shipping and petroleum industries. When David Yule took delivery of chassis 537 the original chassis cards show three addresses - 17 Brunton Place in the name of Carlish (possibly his mother's family), 24 North Gate Mansions (the Yule family home) and 25 Eden Quay in Dublin (a business address). David Yule relocated to Dublin in the early 1920s and while in Ireland he made quite a name for himself in motor racing circles with his CMY (Cox, Morris, Yule) Morris Eight Special with speeds registered at 96mph - this was in the mid 1930s.

There was a rumour that David used 537 in the inaugural Irish Grand Prix at Phoenix Park in 1929 but this has yet to be proved, perhaps some old photos or brochures will surface that can help to solve this mystery. Around 1950 and after many discussions with David Yule, 537 was acquired by the current family ownership and has remained with them, encompassing a restoration programme in excess of £170,000 which took nearly seven years.

The car today boasts finishes that are just as they should be, not only a matching numbers engine, gearbox, axles and steering box but this is also a low family ownership example with the last since circa 1951. An original Freestone &Webb Open Tourer body was moved across from another Bentley 3 Litre and is still fitted to the car. Mostly shakedown miles have been covered since completion of the restoration which have acted as a nice 'settling in' process and we are informed without any problems. Sensible upgrades incorporated into the restoration include the fitting of twin electric fans which automatically engage as we can testify on a warm day photoshoot, conversion from dynamo to alternator and the fitting of flashing indicators, as well as a concealed accessory socket, suitable for plugging in a satnav, etc.

This is a fantastically restored, well documented 3 Litre Bentley that performs admirably and turns heads wherever it goes. With the cost of the restoration in excess of £170,000 and valuations when completed far in excess of our estimate, this is a wonderful opportunity to own an iconic Bentley in truly wonderful condition which is a real credit to the owner and his restorers, Classic Restorations of Perthshire. Consigned by Mathew Priddy

Lot details
Year: 1924
Make: Bentley
Model: 3 Litre Tourer by Freestone &Webb
Registration: XT 3560
Chassis No: 537
Engine No: 541
Odometer: 37,409


* Original 1924 numbers matching

* Fully restored example