Introduced in 1921, the Bentley 3 Litre was W.O. Bentley's first production car, built at Cricklewood with a 2,996cc four-cylinder engine featuring a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and aluminium pistons. It was offered in short-chassis Speed and long-chassis variants, with chassis-only sales and bodies by outside coachbuilders. It won the 1924 Le Mans 24 Hours and laid the foundation for the Bentley Boys era and the marque's sporting reputation.
A genuine pioneering vintage sports car, advanced for its day with its four-valve head, and it carried Bentley to its first Le Mans win. Its raw, mechanical character and direct link to W.O. Bentley's engineering vision make it one of the most historically significant British cars of the 1920s.
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Sources: Bonhams · Car & Classic
Targa has recorded 41 auction sales of the Bentley 3 Litre between 2003 and 2026, from Bonhams and Car & Classic. The cars sold were built between 1922 and 1928. In the last 12 months there has been one sale.
Latest recorded sales
- 1927 Bentley 3/4.5-Litre Speed with 5.3-litre 200bhp engine
- 1925 Bentley 3 Litre Chassis 944 with 4.5L B60 engine
- 1927 Bentley 3-Litre Sports Project
- 1923 Bentley 3-Litre Boat-Tail Roadster
- 1922 Bentley 3-Liter Short Chassis Tourer
- 1926 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer
- 1925 Bentley 3-Liter Speed Model Tourer
- 1925 Bentley 3-Litre Open Tourer