Built to Endure: The 1928 4.5 Litre Vanden Plas Tourer

Few prewar sports cars strike the balance between elegance and performance as convincingly as the Bentley 4.5 Litre. Introduced during Bentley’s golden era, the 1928 Vanden Plas Tourer reflects a time when endurance racing success directly informed road-going design, and when engineering substance mattered as much as style.

At its core sits a 4,398cc single overhead cam inline-four, producing roughly 110 horsepower. Paired with a four-speed manual transmission, the 4.5 Litre was considered a high-performance machine in its day, capable of sustained speed and durability that helped define Bentley’s reputation. Advanced features such as dual ignition and quick-release fuel caps underscored its motorsport-influenced engineering.

Clothed in Vanden Plas open-top touring bodywork, this example wears a restrained black exterior over a dark green interior, a combination that suits the car’s understated confidence. The long hood, upright grille, and purposeful stance speak to function-first design, while the coachbuilt details remind you this was a bespoke automobile, not a mass-produced one.

Today, the 4.5 Litre stands as one of the most desirable Bentleys of the vintage era, valued not only for its aesthetics but for its role in shaping the brand’s sporting legacy. This example is estimated between $1,000,000 and $1,250,000.

The car is set to cross the block Saturday, January 17, at Mecum Kissimmee, part of the world’s largest collector car auction.