Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model
This old Bentley is not a shiny reconstruction—it still carries nearly all the pieces that raced on American roads before World War II.
Bentley 3 litre original vdp tourer 1927.jpg · Kikoman · CC BY-SA 3.0
Research pending
A matching completed auction sale has not been verified for this exact year, body, trim, engine, transmission and market.
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More than a set of wheels.
Bentley’s first production family combined a large, strong chassis with an advanced four-cylinder engine. The Speed Model used a higher-compression tune and became known for a red-backed winged-B badge. This exact 1927 chassis, DE 1209, reached the United States by 1934, raced with the Automobile Racing Club of America and survives in mostly original, unrestored condition at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.
Look a little closer.
The museum says this is the only vintage Bentley known to have raced on American roads before World War II.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Speed Model means more than a red badge
Red Label Speed Models used a 5.3:1 compression ratio on the 117.5-inch wheelbase. A period-style four-seater specification was guaranteed for 90 mph. Badge colors were helpful clues, but Bentley could supply exceptions, so the chassis records matter more than paint alone.
Source: Christie’s · 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model technical record ↗Originality is part of this car’s story
The Simeone Museum says DE 1209 retains its original components apart from electric pumps added in place of the troublesome vacuum fuel tank; the old equipment was retained for possible reinstallation. Alan Bemis bought it in New York in 1934 and raced it with ARCA, including a fourth-place result at Marstons Mills on Cape Cod.
Source: Simeone Museum · 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model ↗Where these facts come from
- Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum · 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model
- Christie’s · 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model Sports Tourer
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.