• One of only 100 8-Litre models made • Serviced by marque specialists NDR in 2014 • Circa 2,000 dry miles only since restoration Although the prevailing image of Bentley cars during the Cricklewood period of the company's life is that of out-and-out sports cars and fast tourers, it is often overlooked that W O Bentley made a determined bid for the carriage trade, particularly with his larger 4½-Litre, 6½-Litre and 8-Litre models, and it is largely because of this that Napier's bid for the company in 1931 was thwarted by Rolls-Royce, which doubtless saw that a rejuvenated Bentley company would present strong competition for its own models.

As it is, only 100 examples of the 8-Litre model had been produced before bankruptcy overtook the original Bentley company; had they been in a stronger financial position it might well have been a different story.

With a chassis price of £1,850, the 8-Litre Bentley was in direct competition with the Rolls-Royce Phantom II while offering better perf...