Chassis Number: DS3573
There are few sounds in motorsport quite as evocative as a Blower Bentley at full chat — a gruff explosion of noise and power only matched by the guttural howl of a Vulcan bomber. Unapologetically loud, dirty, and fearsomely quick, the model earned a legion of fans throughout the 1920s and 1930s despite never winning an international race meeting. An icon of British ingenuity, the model holds an appeal that has transcended the ages.
Chassis DS3573 started life as a “heavy chassis” 4½ Litre with an H.J. Mulliner saloon body and was completed by the factory in August 1929 before being registered in July 1931. By 1965 the Bentley had entered the care of its 12th owners, Hugh Swain and his wife, Annabelle, whose father, journalistic giant John Bolster, served as Technical Editor for The Autocar. By 1990 the car belonged to Graham Jones, in whose care it was rebuilt with a supercharger, a “D”-type gearbox, and an Arley-built Le Mans Tourer body on its original chassis; it would subsequently be finished to concours standard by a later owner.
Despite being capable of reaching a scarcely believable 132 mph (demonstrated on many occasions by the current owner along the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans), it’s the car’s character, versatility and practicality that have proved the biggest draw. Warmly welcomed at the best events, it cut up the stubble with the Benjafield’s Racing Club in 2014, and on countless occasions has even been used for family holidays to destinations as far flung as Italy.
With an impeccably documented history, a top-tier rebuild featuring a genuine Speed Six rear axle, and a W.O. gearbox (not to mention an enviable race record), chassis DS3573 has without a doubt become one of the most celebrated pre-war Bentleys. But to look to the past or count rivets somewhat misses the point of this magnificent machine. A vintage Bentley is not only a golden ticket to the world’s best events, it is also a member of the family that opens the door to adventure. Whether thundering along Goodwood’s Lavant Straight, cruising to the South of France or simply burbling to the local pub, and at a fraction of the value of a factory-delivered “Blower,” chassis DS3573 is a car that will take you places in great style, sound and (if required) speed.
