Beautiful and rare, this 1928 Bentley 4 ½ -Liter Tourer was born to be a winner. The model was created by Bentley in 1927 as a response the need for more power and speed in the automaker’s circuit racing activities. The car could reach a then very impressive top speed of 120 mph, which made it a highly coveted vehicle among racing enthusiasts.
The example shown in the pictures is chassis number PM3252 and it no longer has its original coupe body by Victor Boom. The coachwork was swapped for one by British coachbuilders James A. Pearce and Roger Wing, after the car had already been through a number of ownership changes, including one that took it to South Africa for a few years.
Soon after its return to the UK, the car received its new Vanden Plas-style Le Mans Tourer body, with a folding windshield, Brooklands windscreens, sporting cycle fenders, and synthetic leather over a padded wooden frame interior. Other changes included the turned aluminum dashboard with large tachometer, speedometer and a few other aeronautical-type gauges. The radiator, fuel tank, gearbox, engine, suspensions and lights were also upgraded.
Still in excellent condition, the car has participated in a number of more recent racing events between 2013 and 2014. Any sporting driver and collector would find it a privilege to own such a rare piece of automotive history.
