Bentley 4½ Litre No. 5 of 1929: a miniature car with British character
This miniature car reproduces the Bentley 4½ Litre number 5 of 1929, in green livery accented by red seats. Issued by Matchbox and made in England, it pays tribute to one of the most celebrated sports cars of the interwar years, the car that helped build the brand's legend of English engines.
Designed for lovers of vintage automobiles, this miniature naturally fits into a collection devoted to the 1920s and the great moments of endurance racing. It will appeal as much to those seeking a characterful piece as to enthusiasts who want to document the history of British motor sport.
Features of the miniature
- Model: Bentley 4½ Litre No. 5
- Brand: Matchbox
- Year: 1929 (year of the reproduced model)
- Scale: approx. 1/43
- Colour: Green, with red seats
- Made in: England
- Protective box included: No, sold without cardboard box
The Bentley 4½ Litre of 1929
Introduced in 1927, the 4½ Litre succeeded the 3 Litre designed by W.O. Bentley. To meet the expectations of racing drivers and a demanding clientele, the engineer tasked his team with developing a more flexible and more powerful engine. This engine of nearly 4.4 litres retained a four-cylinder layout with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, a modern architecture for its time.
The robust chassis, four-wheel brakes and four-speed gearbox gave it roadholding praised by the specialist press. In 1929, the car perfectly illustrated the brand's versatility: it could travel comfortably between major European cities while remaining ready to take to the circuits.
Beyond its mechanics, the 4½ Litre charmed with its long lines and understated silhouette, offered in tourer and coupé versions. Produced in limited numbers, it is today among the most sought-after models by classic car enthusiasts. Its victory at the 1928 24 Hours of Le Mans left a lasting impression.
Bentley, a brand born of passion
Founded in 1919 in London by Walter Owen Bentley, the brand emerged in a post-war England where manufacturers sought to combine power and reliability. W.O. Bentley, who had worked on aircraft engines, approached the automobile with an engineer's rigour and a strong taste for speed and endurance.
The 3 Litre of 1921 laid the foundations of a sporting reputation. Its successes at Le Mans, notably in 1924, placed the brand among the references of motor racing. The team's drivers, nicknamed the Bentley Boys, embodied a relaxed elegance and a taste for risk that appealed to a wealthy clientele.
Facing financial difficulties during the economic crisis, the company was bought by Rolls-Royce in 1931, which preserved the Bentley name and its sporting tradition. After several decades under various groups, the brand today belongs to the Volkswagen Group, while retaining its historic site at Crewe, England.
Anecdote: the Blower Bentley and the silent patron
At the end of the 1920s, the company went through a difficult period despite its competition successes. That is when Dorothy Paget, a wealthy heiress passionate about motor racing, stepped in to finance the development of a supercharged version of the 4½ Litre. The engineer Amherst Villiers designed a compressor that gave birth to the famous « Blower Bentley ».
This initiative, however, caused tensions. W.O. Bentley was little in favour of supercharging, which he considered contrary to the philosophy of his engines. This disagreement illustrates the complex relationships between creators, drivers and financiers in an era when the sports car was as much a matter of money as of mechanics.
For the Bentley Boys, racing was above all an art of living. Between major European circuits, society parties and bets placed in the paddocks, these gentleman drivers symbolised a generation seeking to forget the traumas of war. The 4½ Litre, with its generous power, perfectly reflected this spirit of carefreeness and defiance.
The 1929 stock market crash and the crisis of the 1930s brought an end to this golden interlude. The gradual disappearance of this wealthy clientele led to the takeover of the brand by Rolls-Royce. Today, these cars still inspire strong fascination, and their miniature reproductions allow this automotive story to continue.
Complete your collection of miniature cars
In the world of miniature cars, the Bentley 4½ Litre holds a unique place. It combines a historic model with a subtle and elegant colour, making it a prized piece for display cabinets dedicated to classic cars. You will find other models from the brand in our Bentley selection, as well as the great sports cars of the era in the 1920s category.
To extend your collection, motor racing enthusiasts can explore models from the 24 Hours of Le Mans theme or vehicles in the racing and competition section. Fans of the Crewe company will also appreciate the Rolls-Royce selection, which traces the shared history of the two manufacturers.
This model is aimed at collectors of classic vehicles, enthusiasts of British motor sport and lovers of the Matchbox range, which offers many historic models. It will find its place both in a thematic display case and alongside iconic racing cars, in the highly sought-after 1/43 format.
