Explorer finds possible seven-figure 1928 Bentley in abandoned UK barn
In a fascinating discovery, urban explorer Colin Smith found a 1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre Sports Tourer buried under layers of dust in an old barn. The car, featuring its untouched Vanden Plas bodywork, represents a significant relic, with only 148 produced. The next steps involve expert authentication and restoration to prepare it for sale, as auction records for similar models show varied estimates…
British urban explorer Colin Smith has discovered a rare 1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre Sports Tourer hidden in an abandoned barn. The vehicle, with its original Vanden Plas bodywork intact, was found by Smith while filming an abandoned building. The discovery has attracted global attention from classic car enthusiasts and collectors. Bentley produced around 720 of this model between 1927 and 1931, but only 204 were fitted with Vanden Plas bodies, of which 148 were open four-seat tourers.
The newly discovered car falls within the first years of production for this model. The touring model had a naturally aspirated 4.4-litre inline-four engine with 110 horsepower, which was significant as pre-war Bentleys rarely kept their original bodywork after storage. Valuation for surviving pre-war Bentleys can vary greatly, but this discovery suggests a potential value of seven figures once authenticated and restored.
The next steps involve detailed checks to confirm the car's identity and history, including a review of ownership records and matching original identification numbers.
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