Oldest surviving production Bentley sells

90 years after Bentley’s very first customer, Noel Van Raalte, took delivery of chassis number 3 for the princely sum of £1,150. That same 3-Litre graced sold at auction at Pebble Beach, recently for $962,500.

Chassis number 3 is an extraordinary, ‘matching-numbers’ car with original aluminium coachwork and brass brightwork. The marque’s signature craftsmanship and engineering capabilities, introduced by company founder W.O. Bentley, are evident even in this oldest surviving production 3 Litre. 

The true test of the engineering of the 3 Litre came with wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 1924 and 1927, the start of an epic run of five Bentley victories in eight years.