One of the oldest surviving Bentleys, a 1921 model believed to be the first Bentley sold to a customer, is to be auctioned in August this year with considerable interest expected from collectors and a price expected at around one million dollars (700,000 euros), DPA reported.
According to the auction house Gooding & Company, the 3-litre Bentley survived World War II and had several British owners until it passed to an American collector in the 1960s. It was then resold to another collector in the US who carried out a conservative restoration with the vehicle retaining much of its old patina and brass.
The body, engine and gearbox of the Bentley are still original, according to the auction house. Built on an aluminium body, the 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine has an output of 70 hp with a top speed of around 128 kilometres an hour.
The car goes on sale as part of Gooding & Company's auction at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 20-21.