This rare and beautiful Bentley spent over 50 years in Perthshire on its way to auction at Bonham’s on Bonfire Night.
Distinctively finished in blue, with black wings and dark blue leather upholstery and carpeting, this 1928 Bentley 3-Litre Blue Label tourer has had just six documented owners from new.
It was last offered for public sale almost 60 years ago.
Stylish 1919 debut
WO Bentley proudly unveiled his new 3-litre car on Stand 126 at the 1919 Olympia Automobile Exhibition.
The prototype engine was fired up for the first time just a few weeks earlier.
Boasting unrivalled style and performance, it was soon attracting the attention of wealthy and aristocratic motoring enthusiasts.
Owned by royalty
These included the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) and the Duke of York (later King George VI).
By the time production of the model ceased in 1929, a total of 1613 had been completed.
Bonham’s Bentley was delivered new in 1928 to a Miss L. Murray of London W1 – the first of six owners in 90-odd years.
New home in Perthshire
A second keeper in 1938 used it for a further two decades and it changed hands again in 1959 and 1961 before being purchased in January 1962 by a Perthshire enthusiast.
The Bentley remained in the Big County for the following 58 years, before passing to the current vendor.
Body modifications aside, YV 1217 remains highly original, having covered fewer than 5,000 miles.
A £50,000 restoration undertaken in 1988-1989 included a new ash frame and a complete overhaul of the engine.
Awoken from lengthy hibernation in June last year, the car found its seventh keeper at Bonham’s on November 5 for the princely sum of £241,500.
