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1926 Bentley 3 Litre Speed: The 80 HP "Red Label" Le Mans Winning Vintage Sports Car

Description
The 1926 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model, often referred to as the "Red Label" due to the distinctive color of its radiator badge, was the high-performance variant of W. O. Bentley's original, revolutionary car. This model cemented the brand's reputation for building durable, fast, and highly capable sports cars, culminating in two overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1924 and 1927, the latter in Super Sports form).


The Speed Model was an evolution of the earlier Tourist Trophy Replica and was engineered for greater performance over the standard "Blue Label" model.

Key features and specifications included:

Engine: A technically advanced 3.0-liter (2,996 cc) Inline Four-Cylinder engine with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), four valves per cylinder, and twin spark plugs—a highly advanced specification for a road car of the era.

Performance: Maximum power was boosted from 70 hp to approximately 80 horsepower at 3,500 RPM by fitting twin SU "sloper" carburettors and increasing the engine's compression ratio. This enabled the car to reach a top speed of around 90 mph (145 km/h).


Chassis: Typically built on the short 9-foot 9.5-inch (2,984 mm) wheelbase, which enhanced its agility for racing and sporting use.

Transmission: Power was sent through a robust four-speed manual gearbox (non-synchromesh).

Coachwork: As was customary, the car was sold as a rolling chassis from the Cricklewood factory, with most Speed Models receiving lightweight open four-seater bodywork from renowned coachbuilders like Vanden Plas.

The 3 Litre Speed Model is widely considered the archetypal Vintage Bentley, highly valued today for its spirited performance, classic aesthetics, and crucial role in establishing the legacy of the "Bentley Boys" in endurance racing.

Keywords
1926 Bentley 3 Litre Speed, Bentley Red Label, 80 hp straight-four, W. O. Bentley, Le Mans winner, twin SU carburettors, Vintage Bentley, 90 mph top speed, Vanden Plas coachwork, short chassis

Hashtags
#Bentley3Litre #SpeedModel #RedLabel #VintageCar #80HP #LeMans #BentleyBoys #ClassicCar #AutomotiveHistory