Solved - MJW #801 - Bentley 3 litre Speed Model by Melhuish 1927

[woodinsight]

Name the make, model, year and coachbuilder.
One point for the correct and complete answer.

[woodinsight]

Moving to the next level

[bentleybob]

1927 Bentley 3 / 4 1/2 litre ( 3 litre chassis with later 4 1/2 litre engine fitted, a common practice) Boat tail Open Two Seater by H.J.Mulliner.

[woodinsight]

1927 Bentley 3 / 4 1/2 litre ( 3 litre chassis with later 4 1/2 litre engine fitted, a common practice) Boat tail Open Two Seater by H.J.Mulliner.

Mostly what I have except the coachbuilder.
Any further thoughts?

[D-type]

Vanden Plas body (or copy of one)

[woodinsight]

Vanden Plas body (or copy of one)

Not by Vanden Plas....

[bentleybob]

I havelooked this one up and I have it as a 1925 Speed Model 3 litre chassis , nr.1003, originally engine 998, registration XY196, with a H.J.Mulliner bodied 2/3 seater Open Tourer, supplied to M.B Rethymis as first owner, and 4 1/2 litre engine fitted later. It has been in the USA for years, but may since have returned. Having said that, I know of one copy of this bodywork (a replica in the old fashioned sense), made in the seventies, so perhaps this is that car.

[woodinsight]

I havelooked this one up and I have it as a 1925 Speed Model 3 litre chassis , nr.1003, originally engine 998, registration XY196, with a H.J.Mulliner bodied 2/3 seater Open Tourer, supplied to M.B Rethymis as first owner, and 4 1/2 litre engine fitted later. It has been in the USA for years, but may since have returned. Having said that, I know of one copy of this bodywork (a replica in the old fashioned sense), made in the seventies, so perhaps this is that car.

I scanned the photo from a dealer's ad in the 1970s and here is what the description said (without revealing the coachbuilder):

Bentley 3 litre Speed Model 1927.
A fabulous 2/4 seater boat-tailed red label with original coachwork by --------.
Very original car in lovely condition. Excellent history. Exceptional performance.

Hope that's a better clue but I don't always believe in the accuracy of dealer's advertisements.

[bentleybob]

It is a different year to begin with...

[woodinsight]

It is a different year to begin with...

Sorry but the above is the only information I have.
I don't have any specific reference books on Bentley coachwork either......

[bentleybob]

If this pic is taken out of Rod Leach' ad: then that is actually a replica...if you like, mail me, and we'll try and sort this out..

[woodinsight]

If this pic is taken out of Rod Leach' ad: then that is actually a replica...if you like, mail me, and we'll try and sort this out..

No it wasn't Rod Leach's ad it was one from Plus 4 of Stockport......over to you....

[woodinsight]

Would the Pros like to join in with a view to solving the coachbuilder?

[João]

Double name?

[woodinsight]

Double name?

No - one name 8 letters

[João]

Harrison?

[bentleybob]

Maythorn?

[woodinsight]

Neither Harrison or Maythorn...

[João]

Bertelli?

[woodinsight]

Not Bertelli.
A clue - they also built coachwork on many different cars including Bianchi

[bentleybob]

Fountain?

[woodinsight]

Not Fountain I'm afraid.
Let's add another small clue - xxxHxxxx

[bentleybob]

Melhuish?

[woodinsight]

Melhuish?

That's the builder!
A point to you.

A picture of the ad I extracted it from -