Rare 1928 Bentley discovered in British barn awaits expert authentication

The vintage motor, featuring its original Vanden Plas bodywork largely untouched by time, was unearthed by explorer Colin Smith during an investigation of the derelict structure. The find represents a rare example of interwar British engineering, a period when Bentley established itself as a manufacturer of high-performance luxury automobiles.

With only 148 units of the 4.5 Litre Sports Tourer variant produced during the model's production run, examples in any condition are considered valuable to collectors and automotive historians. The discovery's significance lies partly in the preservation of the original coachwork, which often underwent modifications or replacement during the decades following manufacture.

Experts must now conduct comprehensive authentication to verify the vehicle's provenance, original specification, and mechanical integrity. This process typically involves detailed examination of chassis numbers, manufacturing records, and component analysis to confirm its authenticity and historical importance.

Following authentication, specialists will assess the extent of restoration work required. Recent auction results for comparable 1928 Bentley models have demonstrated considerable variation in valuations, with final prices heavily dependent on mechanical condition, originality, and restoration quality. The barn discovery is anticipated to attract significant collector interest once preparations for sale commence.