Bentley 3 Litre Speed
A rare example from Bentley’s early days
This time, a 1926 Bentley 3 Litre Speed will be loaned free of charge to automotive colleges and universities.
The BDCJ has announced that it will lend a rare 1926 Bentley 3-Litre Speed owned by a member to automotive schools and universities free of charge.
The Bentley 3 Litre was the first model produced by Walter Owen Bentley, the founder of Bentley. 1,622 units were produced between 1921 and 1926. It was equipped with a 2,994cc, water-cooled inline four-cylinder engine and had a maximum output of 70 horsepower. High-performance versions such as the Speed and Super Sports were later produced.
Its durability was also proven by its overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and 1927. There is also an anecdote that Jiro Shirasu bought one while studying in the UK and took it on an adventure to Gibraltar with a friend.
The purpose of this free loan is to allow students to actually touch a car and experience what kind of mechanisms were used in vehicles manufactured 100 years ago during the early days of the automobile, amid calls for a once-in-a-century period of automotive revolution.The program also aims to give students a deeper understanding of the mechanical aspects of the beginnings of the history of internal combustion engine automobiles, which led to the recent BEVs and hydrogen cars.
Vehicles can be disassembled provided they are returned to their original condition.
They are loaned free of charge to automotive technical schools and universities as research materials for students, and it is possible to disassemble the engines and other parts, provided that they are restored to their original condition.
The free-of-charge loaned vehicles will be available for unlimited work, including removing parts such as the engine, provided they are restored to their original condition, and it will be possible to check the original materials and part shapes. On the first day of the loan, the owner will participate, receiving an explanation of the vehicle’s operating procedures, a lecture on Bentley’s history, and a ride along. This will also be an attempt to deepen understanding of the vehicle.
Eligible schools are automotive technical colleges, universities, and university engineering departments in the Kanto region and surrounding prefectures, and are limited to institutions that can properly store and study the car under the supervision of a supervisor during the loan period of approximately one month. The deadline for the first round of applications is the end of June, and schools wishing to borrow a Bentley 3 Litre Speed free of charge should contact the Bentley Drivers Club Japan Secretariat listed below.
[Inquiries]
Bentley Drivers Club Japan Office
TEL 090-6193-1009
[Related Links]
Bentley Drivers Club Japan Official Website
