1924 Bentley 3-Litre Drophead Coupé H. J. Mulliner

H. J. Mulliner original coachwork

Report by Dr. Clare Hay

Documented history

Our 3 Litre Bentley with the rare H. J. Mulliner "Simplex" coachwork was delivered new through the London Bentley dealer Gaffkin Wilson. On 1 November 1924 he was registered to his first owner, Francis William Rhosed of Dalham Hall, in Newmarket.

In the early years he changed hands several times in the Greater London area. From August 1933 he resided in Ireland. There an exchange engine and gearbox were fitted.

In the 1930s the coachwork was also somewhat modernised. Typically at this time the “mother-in-law seats” were removed and replaced with a full-width rear seat. The hood and the windscreen wipers were also slightly altered in this process.

After the usual gap in the history during World War II, the Bentley reappeared in Suffolk County from 1952.

From 1962 it spent some time in the USA, from 1980 back in England and was restored there in the 1980s. The works included, among other things, a complete overhaul of the engine, replacement of defective wooden parts on the bodyshell frame and a repaint.

In 2002 and 2003 major maintenance was carried out at “Sargeants of Goudhurst.” Later invoices include notes of new white-metal bearings from Formhall and an inspection for cracks of the connecting rods before refitting the engine by Stuart Fearnside in 2008.

The car is overall very well documented, and also in the interior it features fantastic original details, such as the H. J. Mulliner door sills, Smith instruments and original instrument bezels.

In 2019 the Bentley passed into German ownership. In 2019 and 2020 over €27, 000 was invested. These works encompassed the braking system, ignition, seals, and the technical prerequisites for registration in Germany.

The last service was in October 2024; the Bentley has TÜV valid until September 2026 and can be driven immediately.

As one of the relatively few Cricklewood Bentleys to retain their original coachwork, "CF 5654" is a rarity and will continue to be among the most sought-after examples of the series.