1936 WO?

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:15 pm Post subject: 1936 WO?

H & H have sold this 1936 W. O. Bitsa (kit car) for £454,250.

Gareth Thomas · Joined: 02 Nov 2017 Posts: 5 Location: New Hampshire, USA

There were a few 4.5s built by the spares department around that time. I believe this is one of them. Has to be one of the first Bitsas, or is it a Bitsa at all? If built from new spare parts on a new spare chassis it’s not really using bits of other cars, which is where the term comes from.

John Murch · Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 6:04 am Post subject:

See my posting of a few days ago headed RC41😀

https://online.handh.co.uk/m/lot-details/index/catalog/114/lot/43939/?url=%2Fm%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F114%2F%3Fpage%3D2

John Murch · Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 6:08 am Post subject:

The chassis frames on these RC series cars are said to be reconditioned ones, then built up with new parts.
As far as I know, no one has identified the original frame numbers, or have they?

John Murch · Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 11:04 am Post subject:

This one really does have a new chassis - and a price difference to match, I bet it drives beautifully.
http://www.vandp.net/sales/1636/1924-bentley-3-4-5-le-mans-style-tourer/&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1903Bentletourer

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:58 am Post subject:

The 3/4½ seems less overpriced than a lot of Richard's offerings. There was a "Derby-style" MKVI special for sale recently which could buy through one dealer for £75 000 ish or, if you wished, through Richard for £110 000. Rum do.

I wonder why no one bought the E Type Jag at the above auction?

DavidThompson · Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 12:26 pm Post subject:

Was this car (offered by V&P) one of the parts specials which were of concern within the club a couple of years ago?

Paul Spencer · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:52 am Post subject:

No. This was built by the factory in the 1930s with original parts.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:39 am Post subject:

By Rolls-Royce.

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 8:35 pm Post subject:

I saw this car today. RC41 is the only RC 4½ to retain its original chassis and coachwork.
As mentioned above, it's a delightful factory Bitsa and includes, inter alia, a 4L steering box & column, a 6½ rear axle and a Derby Bentley fuel pump mounted on the scuttle. I'm told it has a C box.
One version of the story is that it sat in a field for 20 years without a cover on. If so, the coachwork did remarkably well. The interior is shot.
Given its unique originality and 83 years worth of irreplaceable grime, some may attempt to get it working in oily rag condition, however the interior is too far gone to be included in that plan.
It is, of course, the new owner's prerogative to do whatever he/she wishes with it. I understand it will undergo complete restoration and retain the original body.

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 12:27 pm Post subject:

I think the answer to David, above, might be yes. According to the club's database (which has reverted to paper format; less to go wrong and no password to forget), BF 5058 is on chassis No RC989.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 3:09 pm Post subject:

See the June "Automobile", page 82 with a few pictures.

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:22 pm Post subject:

As I'm too mean to buy it, I get John Cobbing's old copies of the Automobile. I've just received May, so it looks like I'll be able to respond to your post in about a month's time.
It could be worse. The next person in the chain gets them even later.

Iain Warner · Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:31 am Post subject:

I am getting a little confused here between the two cars. As I understand it Chassis RC41 was built in 1936 by Rolls Royce and is therefore considered 'genuine' and Chassis RC989 was built quite recently and isn't - Hence the disparity in price.

John Murch · Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:02 am Post subject:

Iain,
You are correct in my opinion.
John

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 3:01 pm Post subject:

I agree. Nothing more to add.

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 8:08 pm Post subject:

Here is the text from the Automobile that Chris referred to and has kindly emailed to me;

And here is H&H's blurb which is still attached to the windscreen.

Don't take any of that as gospel.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Sat May 18, 2019 8:49 am Post subject:

So, what do you do with the pictures when you press "Send"?

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 9:41 pm Post subject:

I click on 'standard'. I've no idea what that means but it seems to make it happy.