Bentley 3 Litre Red Label 

In 2015 our client purchased ND7102 from Stanley Mann Racing as a non-matching numbers 3 litre red label with VDP style coachwork, containing all original Cricklewood parts. Since purchase, our client and car have been “hero of endurance” events and “rallied the globe” making many happy memories. ND7102 has been maintained to the highest standards by a marque-specialists working for him. Most recent works listed in the final section.     

History of ND7102

Leaving the Cricklewood gates in June 1924 chassis number 665 was dispatched to VDP for a four-seat sport coach work numbered 1050, registered ND7102 in September of that same year. The first custodians were the Brenninkmeyer family of the C&A fashion label.  Soon after the family sold the car to Mr D Simon, who had the body replaced with a 2-seater sporting body of unknown origin. 

In 1938, the car was sold to the Horton Brothers of Exeter, who were avid Bentley enthusiasts with numerous cars in various states of repair. They had the tendency to swap parts from one car to another, and since these were the ‘good old days’, ND7102 was stripped and reconstructed using the following parts.

• Rear axle casing number #433,
• A type gearbox # 451 with close ratio gears,
• steering box # 1080,
• bonnet # 841,
• front axle number # LM1345 coming from the Glen Kidston’s team car, which had just been reconditioned by Bentley.
• chassis knuckle and front crossmember #433.

The Horton Brothers sold ND7102 later that same year.

During the 1960’s records show that the body was replaced again, returning the car to original pattern VDP four seat sports tourer, and it competed at BDC events during the 70’s.

In the early 1980’s Douglas Brooke-Johnson was engaged to restore the body and perform a rewire.  In 1984, the car was acquired by Mr Walter Tierling, who had the original 3 litre engine rebuilt, installing Phoenix crank, and unfortunately a set of the ill-fated sintered con rods.  

Recent mechanical history

In 2017, two years after purchase our client was gently driving along when number 3 sainted rod failed, slicing open the original #665 crankcase and block. ND7102 returned to Stanley Mann Racing for the following engine repairs upgrades to be undertaken, with the damaged parts retained for continuity.

The following new items were acquired for the rebuild;

• Bentley Drivers Club crankcase casting
• New block from NDR rated to 4 ½+.
• New Phoenix counterbalanced crank, rods.
• Bentley Driver Club pistons, valves, guides and camshaft.
• The clutch was converted to modern diaphragm type by Tim Abbott utilizing the original fly wheel.
• A Tim Payne overdrive.
• Rebuilt radiator to ensure maximum cooling efficiency of the uprated engine.

After the untimely death of Stanley Mann, one of Stanley’s former employees came to work directly for our client to maintain his private car collection.  

Ralph Wycherley was apprenticed at Rolls Royce as an engineer and worked for 25 years at Stanley Mann Racing where he maintained and rebuilt Vintage Bentleys. Ralph has been part of the life of “ND” since our client purchased it from Stanley, working on it whilst at Stanley’s and latterly directly for our client.

Some of the most recent work has been to aid cooling on the larger than average capacity engine capacity, optimising effect of the rebuilt radiator. In addition, works completed include;

• New 4 ½ litre water pump has been fitted,
• SU HD6 carburettors to get the mixture just right.    
• 2020 rear axle rebuild, including a new stronger four-star differential, along with new 3.33CWP installed in front and rear diff housing.
• 8 litre ½ shafts,
• New shock absorbers
• Alternator
• LED lighting and indicators
• Side or rear mounted spare wheel brackets

Our client is now offering the car for sale having enjoyed the results of his efforts and investment over many events. I can personally attest to the power and poise of this impressive speed model, and I look forward to seeing her being a hero and rallying the globe once more.