Bentley 3-litre review

How does it drive?

Even the youngest 3-litre is now knocking on 100 years old, and much of the design dates back to before the World War I. Suffice to say, this isn’t a car you just jump in and drive like a more modern classic but demanding of a level of physicality to make it go and also mechanical finesse if you’re to master the notoriously tricky four-speed crash gearbox and centre throttle.

Thankfully, the engine is famously torquey and tractable, so you won’t need to be up and down the gears too much. For a century-old car, performance is still respectable as well, and you won’t be left for dead as you might in others of this vintage. Just leave a little more space for braking, the 3-litre only getting drums on all four wheels from 1924 onwards and, even then, taking some stopping!

What’s good?

Iconic is a much over-used word, but even the least car-literate individual would probably recognise a 3-litre Bentley, and everything it stands for. Arguably a little less brutish than the bigger and more powerful cars that followed, the classic open top touring bodywork combines sporting vibes with traditional luxury, while saloons slip a little more under the radar and have an old-money charm evoking Roaring 20s nights on the town and weekend parties at the country estate.

Seemingly every car has a tale to tell, with successions of senior military men, film stars, society figures and royalty on the logbooks, many of whom got up to all manner of high jinks along the way. Preserving and even adding to this legacy yourself is all part of the pleasure, and hardier owners take great delight in still using the cars as intended. Legendary sporting success from the start and its leading role in Bentley’s Le Mans story just adds to the appeal.

What’s bad?

We’re in properly rarified territory here, and you don’t just blunder into Bentley ownership on a whim. While the 3-litre is by far the most numerous of the classic ‘20s Bentleys they’re still very collectable, and the ones with the really interesting backstories or highest levels of originality will be highly prized. And priced accordingly. This also opens the door to the chancers and also-rans riding on the coat tails, and separating fact from a century’s accumulated fiction will take some legwork.

It also means many will have been through numerous makeovers and rebirths, with engine swaps, modifications, completely new bodies and more. So, make sure any exotic claims about motorsport success or famous former owners can be verified, if such things matter to you. It goes without saying driving, owning and running a Bentley of this vintage takes some dedication, too.

Which model to choose?

There are obvious temptations in chasing a classic open top tourer in traditional British Racing Green, though it’s safe to say there are many more 3-litres in this configuration now than there ever were in period! Some might see it as bordering on cliché. Widening the net to other body styles — saloons included — may uncover cars with more interesting histories than those simply cosplaying as Le Mans winners, and see your money go a little further.

If you’re chasing true matching numbers originality, be prepared to do your research and be absolutely sure before laying down the extra cash… or just accept many will now have lived several lives over the last hundred years and simply choose the one with the best combination of condition and looks for your tastes and budget!

Specifications – Bentley 3-litre Red Label Speed

3.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

81PS (110kW) @ 3,500rpm

N/A

Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

N/A

N/A

90mph

1921-1929 (all variants)