A British motorsports fan has splurged £3,000,000 (that’s nearly 3,700,000 USD) on a 101-year-old Bentley 3 Litre that took part in the world’s first Le Mans endurance race a century ago.
According to Robb Report, the buyer has no intention of keeping the car as an expensive garage queen. Instead, he will take it to a historical race next month celebrating the anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Walter Owen Bentley’s very first production car in history had cemented the future of the automotive marque for decades to come. Like its name suggests, it came equipped with a three-liter engine (see video) mated to a four-speed gearbox. Bentley Motors had sold around 1,600 units in 1921 through 1929.
This example had chassis number 141 on it and originally belonged to John Duff, the leader of the company’s Canada branch. An avid racing driver, Duff was able to show exceptional results in a race on the Brooklands circuit, setting 38 international records. He then asked Bentley to have his convertible modified for the day-long Le Mans marathon.
In the world’s first Le Mans endurance race, the Bentley came fourth and recorded the best lap time. The same car proceeded to win the next year’s race and later held the leadership for four years in a row, winning from 1927 until 1930. It is still regarded as one of the best-performing Le Mans vehicles to this day.
In the early 80s, a car reporter discovered the Bentley 3 Litre in an abandoned state. Australian collector Peter Briggs bought it out and made it an exhibit of the York Motor Museum Western Australia. With the car now sold for its deserved seven-digit sum, it will now be returning to its homeland.