A veteran of designing RAF aeroengines during World War I, W.O. Bentley next created a sporting motor car unequaled in its era. The 3-Litre saw the production of 1,624 cars in three wheelbase configurations and three performance levels, including the aptly named Speed Model with its distinctive red radiator badge, or “Red Label.” Quality control was peerless; Bentley preferred customers send their chassis to one of a hundred coachbuilders approved by the company and then inspected the finished car thoroughly before allowing it to be sold; each 3-Litre carried a five-year guarantee!

A late-production Speed Model, chassis number AX1668 was one of two 3-Litres ordered at the same time by importers José Shepherd and Bell of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who specified that they be finished to the same specifications as the 3-Litre run by Eric Forrest Greene, a well-known Argentine driver of the period. AX1668 was equipped with nearly all of the chassis and engine refinements made to the model over its run, most prominently the desirable C-type gearbox and SU “sloper” carburetors, and mounted with a fabric-paneled four-seater sports body by Vanden Plas, incorporating distinctive “elephant tusk” windshield irons that descend gracefully in a curve through the cowl.

According to historian Guillermo Sánchez Bouchard, AX1668 raced in August and September of 1927 in two events held at San Martín’s Autódromo, driven by one Gastón or León Gouriot. AX1668 was then acquired by its first known owner, Paul Pinsent; a photograph from his care shows it with the Marchal headlights still mounted, and it is believed that the gas tank was enlarged and the spare wheel moved to the passenger side in his ownership.

Following several successive Argentinean owners, the car passed in 1963 to E. Gomez Ortega, who had it returned to good running and cosmetic order, then to James McCloud, an American auto executive then in Argentina and a great enthusiast, who brought it to the United States. It next passed to Peter Hageman (actually his first W.O. Bentley!), and then to the well-known Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast and collector, Ted Reich.

Mr. Reich undertook a complete restoration with the well-known specialist Jeff McDonald of Canby, Oregon, preserving the excellent original car’s specifications. To this day the car retains the original windshield irons and the linoleum floorboard coverings, as well as the Marchal headlights, larger fuel tank, and side-mounted spare from its early years. Inspection of the car by marque historian Clare Hay, whose report is included in the file, confirms that the Bentley retains its original chassis, engine, gearbox, front and rear axles, steering box, and other major mechanical components; only modern finned cast iron brake drums were fitted. Even the carburetors are believed to be the originals, with numbers in the correct range for the chassis. The body itself, recovered in proper fabric, retains its original framing, with the floorboards stamped 1372, and new upholstery was placed over the original seat coils! A new hood was reproduced out of necessity, though the original remains with the car.

Unsurprisingly, the outstanding end result was First in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2001, followed by Best of Show Prewar at the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Meet in 2004. Mr. Reich went on to also drive it on the Mille Miglia Retrospective in 2007, proving that it could literally “go” as well as it showed. It was subsequently sold from his collection, and eventually, in 2018, found its way into the hands of the consignor, who has since continued to enjoy it with brio while preserving its restoration in fine order. The consignor notes that in his ownership the engine was rebuilt with new pistons, valves, valve guides, water pump, clutch, and pressure plate, and the gearbox fully overhauled. Further, the interior was reupholstered masterfully using Connolly leather and wool carpets, as well as fitted with a new tonneau cover and top boot. While invited to Villa d’Este in 2021, it has remained largely tucked away in the consignor’s collection.

Almost certainly one of the best-restored and most correct of the “Red Label” Speed Model 3-Litres, this is an outstanding specimen of the early “W.O.” Bentley.