1923 Bentley 3-Litre Saloon
Coachwork by Gurney Nutting
Registration no. SY 1791
Chassis no. 203
Engine no. 210

Recognised by renowned marque authority, Dr Clare Hay, as 'remarkably original', chassis number '203' was built on the Long (10' 10" wheelbase) frame with Standard Model engine number '210', which is still in place. Bentley introduced four-wheel brakes on the 3-Litre for the 1924 model year at around chassis '360', and many earlier cars were subsequently converted to four-wheel braking; '203', however, retains its original two-wheel brakes.

The four-door, six-light saloon body is by Gurney Nutting and is of the 'owner-driver' type, without internal division. Founded in Croydon, Surrey in 1919, J Gurney Nutting had been associated with quality marques - Bentley in particular - from its earliest days and was a supreme practitioner of the coachbuilding craft. The firm had already bodied its first Bentley before moving to London's fashionable Chelsea district in 1924, and within a few years was established as the Cricklewood firm's foremost supplier of bodies after Vanden Plas. Gurney Nutting's work had a sporting flavour from the outset and succeeded in attracting the attention of society's upper echelons; the Prince of Wales and Duke of York were clients, and the firm gained its Royal Warrant in the early 1930s.

Bentley's five-year guarantee was issued on 13th January 1923 and the car was registered as 'SY 1791' (a Midlothian number) on 7th March 1923. The first owner was one T W Aitchison of Edinburgh. Minor works were carried out during his ownership, including fitted strut gear to the chassis in August 1924. The first recorded change of ownership dates from March 1927 when '203' was owned by one A S McGrather of Rocklea, Dumbartonshire. The next known change of owner occurred in 1951 when the Bentley passed to one G I Cameron. Two photographs exist, taken at around this date by George Oliver, which show '203' in very original order apart from the single pane windscreen, a common modification. Subsequent owners include D J Jeffery (1959), J L Constable (1959), John Brogden (1965) and Ann Knights.

Ann Knights had '203' restored with no expense spared by Dick Moss, probably the best Bentley restorer at that time. The upholstery was copied from the original's remains, using cloth sourced by Ann Knight in France. Following the rebuild's completion, '203' was a 3-Litre class winner, Best Vintage Saloon and Overall Champion on its first appearance at the BDC's 1972 concours at Kensington Gardens. The following year '203' was judged Best Vintage Saloon again, an award it picked thrice more: in 1974, '75 and '78, by which time it belonged to John Zeal. In 2004, '203' was owned by Richard Frankel, and that same year won the Varley Trophy in the Patina Class at the BDC's Hatfield House concours. Today, '203' remains essentially unchanged since restoration, only slightly mellowed. Apart from the few minor updates mentioned in Dr Hay's illustrated report (dated December 2016), the only notified modification is the fitting of twin SU Sloper carburettors for improved performance (original instrument boxed and with car).

Dr Hay concludes her report on '203' thus: "Surviving 3-Litre saloon Bentleys are very rare, I am aware of only three 3 Litres, one coachbuilt on chassis 203, one Weymann long chassis saloon and a short chassis Weymann saloon, the latter both from 1926." So what we have here is a Bentley of immense historical significance: the oldest known surviving 3-Litre saloon and a car of exceptional originality.