1927 Bentley 6 1/2 Litre 'Le Mans Coupe' Special

This striking Bentley was conceived and its three-year rebuild overseen by the current owner, who thoughtfully combined period 1920s coachwork with Bentley running gear and discreet modern engineering enhancements to create an exceptional machine for fast touring. The result is a Bentley with not only distinctive character, but also a remarkably well-documented history stretching back to its original build. As documented in an extensive report by Dr. Clare Hay, including copies of factory records, this 1927 Bentley 6½ Litre “Le Mans Coupe” Special, chassis BX2411, left the Cricklewood Works on February 1, 1927, powered by engine no. BX2410. Its 150" chassis was equipped with Landaulette coachwork by Offord & Sons and R. Harrison of London. A stately, luxurious, and amply powerful conveyance, this example’s original owner, Mrs. Henry Bull, was most likely chauffeured around London and beyond, in one of the more sedate applications for W.O. Bentley’s six-cylinder automobiles of the 1920s. By 1947, the Bentley had a very different life. After receiving a revised utility body, it migrated to Africa, where it would remain for decades. While in Africa, it suffered the ignominy of progressive attrition from the stark contrasting weather elements and the pilfering of its parts, owing to the usefulness of its materials in the postwar era. Its last owner in this period was David Gaul of South Africa, who retrieved the car and shipped it to the UK, where it was fitted with a Park Ward coupe body. In 1992–1993, chassis BX2411 was reconfigured as an archetypal Le Mans Speed Six replica by David Gaul, and spent most of the next 28 years providing noted collectors Casper Schaarighuisen of South Africa and Craig Davis of Pebble Beach, California with many happy and successful long-distance tours. The current owner saw the car in a different light. He had been seeking a matching-numbers car as a basis for a design and performance project. This example’s origin with Harrison coachwork was kismet, as he wished to reunite the car with another Harrison body – that of a sports coupe (originally fitted to chassis BR 2365) which had long been removed from another car, having spent time as the cabin for a “pick up” tow vehicle. Acquiring the Bentley in 2019, and working with ace Bentley restorer David Ayre, he at once began to realize this dream, sketching out the merging of chassis with bodywork. To achieve the desired look, the lengthy chassis was shortened to 10' 10." The crankcase was built up with an eight-litre cylinder block and both the D-Type gearbox and the compact body were entirely rebuilt, with new wood utilized where needed. Under Graham Moss’ care, the car was then refurbished with period-correct Rexine cloth for the body and trunk, providing a great look for the car’s low V-windshield profile and stance. Moss also supplied various detail components, including period-correct instruments for the dashboard, period tools, and rare Bentley and Draper shock absorbers for the back axle. The level of detail is exceptional, down to the 1920s-era wood sourced for the floorboards. As documented in itemized receipts, approximately 3,400 hours of labor were logged to see the project through to its completion, at a cost of £424,000. For the owner, the car’s rebuild was a welcome distraction during a time of health challenges, and it proved cathartic to share the finished result at prominent events around the UK, including the Goodwood Members Meeting, Hampton Court, and Salon Privé. On each occasion, the car demonstrated a magnetic appeal. Between showings, the car was regularly exercised and its stunning driving characteristics further dialed in and refined. An ideal mount for any of the popular road tours in the US, including the Colorado Grand and those of the North American Vintage Bentley Club, this dramatic combination of design and spectacular performance is sure to draw attention and generate delight for its next discerning caretaker. car

Estimate:$1,000,000

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