The 1921 Bentley 3 Litre, chassis number 3, holds the distinction of being the oldest original production Bentley in existence and the first car sold to a private customer by Walter Owen (W.O.) Bentley. This car is notable not only for its early production date but also for its exceptional preservation and storied past.
Chassis number 3 was fitted with the fourth 3-litre engine produced at Bentley’s Cricklewood factory in northwest London. R. Harrison & Son of London crafted the simple yet elegant two-seater body, which was left unpainted to showcase its polished aluminum. The car was delivered to its first owner, Ivor Llewelyn of Monmouthshire, Wales, on August 3, 1921. Llewelyn, father of Desmond Llewelyn (famous as ‘Q’ in James Bond films), kept the car in its original state, complete with all brass fittings and polished aluminum bodywork.
Throughout its early years, the Bentley was meticulously serviced by Bentley Motors annually until 1931, when the company was sold to Rolls-Royce. This dedication to maintenance has undoubtedly contributed to the car’s remarkable state of preservation. Recently, the car underwent a refresh in England before making its re-debut at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The Bentley 3 Litre itself is an icon of automotive innovation and racing heritage. During the early days of motoring, racing played a crucial role in driving advancements and refinements in automotive technology. W.O. Bentley’s experimentation with aluminum pistons, which contributed to increased power and top speed, set the stage for the Bentley 3 Litre’s success on the racetrack.
Bentley used Brooklands as a testing ground, setting numerous records and achieving significant racing victories. By the mid-1920s, Bentley had established itself as a dominant force in racing, notably winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and 1927. These victories earned Bentley a reputation for building reliable and innovative cars, with Ettore Bugatti famously referring to Bentleys as “the fastest lorries in the world.”
The 3 Litre’s engine was a masterpiece of engineering, featuring a 3-litre displacement, four valves per cylinder, overhead camshafts, and dual ignition—technologies that were groundbreaking at the time. These innovations provided a substantial performance advantage, contributing to Bentley’s racing successes. As with many early automotive manufacturers, Bentley focused on creating the chassis, which was then sent to various coachbuilders for custom bodywork. R. Harrison & Son was one such coachbuilder, responsible for the elegant body of chassis number 3.
Ivor Llewelyn, Bentley’s first paying customer, specified that chassis number 3 be left unfinished to allow its aluminum body to develop a unique patina over time. The car featured brass brightwork, non-pleated black leather, and a fully disappearing top, with modifications made for a dickey seat installed by Llewelyn. Desmond Llewelyn, Ivor’s son and later famous for his role in James Bond films, continued the family’s legacy with exotic cars. This rare Bentley 3 Litre, with matching numbers and a fascinating history, sold for $962,500 at auction, embodying W.O. Bentley’s craftsmanship and automotive legacy.
