As its ‘014’ chassis number suggests, it was the fourteenth example of the 53 cars produced, fitted with the
corresponding engine number E-1014-8, and body no. K-1014, and it is significant that this important car
retains its numbers-matching engine and is notable for its high levels of originality. Rutherford was to compete
in the car extensively between 1952 and 1960, and the car’s performance in his hands at the NASCAR speed
week at Daytona Beach, is notable for a timed run at 134.07mph. With its second owner, the car raced in
several SCCA races between 1961 and 1962 and achieved notable results including several 1st in class
performance as well participating in the 1962 Road America 500 Miles. The third US-based owner retained the
car for 24 years and eventually sold the car to a German collector who undertook a complete and detailed
restoration in 1988, when the car was repainted in classic British Racing Green. With a thoroughly known and
documented history, this important competition Jaguar is eligible for almost all historic motoring events
(Estimate: £4,000,000 - £4,500,000).
The 1930 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Tourer, is one of the few cars that can genuinely claim to match
the Jaguar C-Type in terms of its historical place in British motoring history. The fabled ‘Blower’ Bentleys were
developed in the quest for more power and performance from the marque’s definitive four-cylinder engine, and
the Supercharged cars will forever be associated with Bentley’s pre-war racing efforts and great drivers such
as Sir Henry (Tim) Birkin. The cars featured a new supercharger designed by Amherst Villiers, which when
added to the 4½-litre engine, hiked the power from 100bhp to 175bhp. 50 such cars were commissioned, and
the car offered for sale in London is no less than the very first ‘Blower’ completed at the factory in 1930,
chassis SM3903. Furthermore, this car was displayed at the 1929 London Motor Show and it was retained by
Bentley Motors for some time afterwards, serving as company demonstrator until late in 1931 before being
sold via London’s Jack Barclay dealership. The car’s history is extremely well documented and is supported
by a comprehensive report by the leading Bentley, expert Clare Hay. Chassis SM3903’s undisputed status as
the very first of the famed Blower Bentleys completed seals the car’s place in automotive history and certainly
makes it one of the most significant Bentleys in existence. Like the Jaguar, the Bentley will be welcomed at
all leading events the world over. (Estimate: £3,800,000 - £4,200,000).
Continuing with the British theme, other early consignments for the London sale include a highly desirable
1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series I (Estimate: £325,000 - £375,000) and a one-off 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25
‘Dreadnought Special’, a high-performance and expertly engineered pre-war special, featuring a highly
tuned supercharged Bentley 4½-litre engine in a Rolls Royce 20/25 chassis, and boasting unique sports
bodywork. (Estimate: £150,000 - £200,000).
|