Bentley 3 Litre Double Phaeton Viotti

The Bentley 3 Litre Double Phaeton by Carrozzeria Viotti represents a singular example of cross-national coachbuilding on a British chassis, executed in Italy during the early 1930s. The body was mounted on a Bentley 3 Litre chassis originally produced in 1924, later rebodied in 1932 by the Turin-based firm Viotti in a formal open four-passenger configuration. The Bentley 3 Litre was introduced in 1921 and remained in production until 1929. A total of 1,622 chassis were completed. The model featured a front-mounted, inline four-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder. Displacement was 2,996 cubic centimetres. The standard output was approximately 70 horsepower, though performance variants exceeded this figure. Lubrication was via a dry-sump system. The engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, transmitting power to the rear wheels. The chassis employed rigid axles at both front and rear, suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs. Braking was initially rear-only mechanical, with four-wheel braking introduced in later production. The Viotti body took the form of a double phaeton, a coachwork style featuring two rows of seating with separate windshields for front and rear occupants, and an open, dual-compartment arrangement. The coachwork was built in aluminium over a wooden frame, conforming to traditional coachbuilding practices. Distinctive elements included twin side-mounted spare wheels, minimal ornamentation, and a low beltline to enhance forward visibility. The design adhered to period luxury touring standards, while maintaining the functionality expected of open-bodied cars used for long-distance travel. This Viotti-bodied specimen is believed to be unique. The chassis, numbered XU 5160 and originally delivered in 1924 with engine number 652, was reconfigured in Italy approximately eight years later. It is not listed in standard production catalogues or manufacturer registries. No additional examples of Viotti coachwork applied to the Bentley 3 Litre are recorded. Ownership history beyond the initial registration is undocumented in public sources. The vehicle’s present whereabouts are unverified. It remains known primarily through period photographs and limited coachbuilder documentation.