Bentley 3 Litre
The legendary 'fastest lorry in the world' that defined Bentley's racing pedigree.
- Power
- 70 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 40.0 s
- Top speed
- 80 mph
- Est. value
- $200k–$670k
About the Bentley 3 Litre
The 3 Litre was the first production car from W.O. Bentley, designed to be a robust, high-performance machine capable of enduring the rigours of early motor racing. Its advanced engine featured four valves per cylinder and twin-spark ignition, technologies derived from W.O.'s experience with aero engines during WWI. Despite its significant weight, which led Ettore Bugatti to famously call it 'the fastest lorry in the world', it proved its mettle by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and 1927. Most examples were delivered as a rolling chassis to coachbuilders like Vanden Plas, resulting in a wide variety of bespoke body styles.
Bentley 3 Litre specs
The Bentley 3 Litre produces 70 bhp (52 kW). It reaches 60 mph in 40.0 seconds and has a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).
| Make | Bentley |
|---|---|
| Model | 3 Litre |
| Trim | 3.0 |
| Years | 1921–1929 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Tourer |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 1,622 built |
| Engine | 3.0-litre OHC 16-valve I4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,996 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 70 bhp (52 kW) at 3,500 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 40.0 s |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 39 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Bentley 3 Litre worth?
A typical Bentley 3 Litre is estimated to be worth $200,000 – $670,000 (about £149,000 – £500,000).
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Bentley 3 Litre rarity in CarSpot
The Bentley 3 Litre is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Bentley 3 Litre fun facts
- The 3 Litre was the first car to ever win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for a British manufacturer, taking victory in 1924.
- To ensure maximum reliability, W.O. Bentley designed the engine with the cylinder head and block cast as a single iron unit to eliminate head gasket failures.
- The 1924 model year was significant for introducing four-wheel brakes as standard, a major safety upgrade over the previous rear-only setup.