1939 Bentley 4.25 MX Overdrive Chassis - GRAEME HUNT CLASSIC CARS 18-23 RADLEY MEWS KENSINGTON LONDON W8 6JP

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GRAEME HUNT CLASSIC CARS

18-23 RADLEY MEWS KENSINGTON LONDON W8 6JP

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7937 8487 

E-Mail: mail@graemehunt.com

1939 Bentley 4.25 MX Overdrive Chassis

A late series Derby which carried a Park Ward saloon body (as most of the Derby Bentley did) for much of her life

In fact of the 2.400 produced between 1933 and 1939, only 600 carried bespoke bodywork

Anyhow, our lovely car was kept and owned for many years by a family who used her for many Continental Tours, one of which was the Around the World in 80 Days!!

Obviously, she had been campaigned hard over her life and continued to do so well into her 7th decade

After such gruelling trips, well into her 70's, the family decided to strip her down and breathe a new lease of life into her

Of course, James E Pearce were chosen to ensure the quality of the rebuild would stand the test of time, just as her original manufacture stood her in good stead for so many years

A Vanden Plas style touring body was chosen, and what better than to use an existing original Tourer from VdP as the buck (in fact one owned by Paul Wood - a good chap he is too)

The result is amazing, still after 10 years of use since

Many rosettes attest to this from both the RREC and the BDC as well the RAC who chose her for display at the Hampton Court Concours twice and also for display within their Rotunda in their Pall Mall Club House

Not only is she a pretty face, but she drives sublimely too, starts on the button and thereafter you can hardly hear her running - purrrfect (!!)

As a last Derby series, she also enjoys the MX overdrive and soft steering, which does really help in town too

Still retains her original registration number, as well as her original engine and gearbox so this fabulous Bentley is indeed one of the nicest style VdP tourers we have ever come across, and one not to be missed

SOURCE: https://www.graemehunt.com/inventory/507/1939-bentley-4-25-mx-overdrive-chassis

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Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

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1933 BENTLEY 3 1/2 LITRE Park Ward Sports Saloon - GRAEME HUNT 18-23 Radley Mews, Kensington, London W8 6JP

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GRAEME HUNT

18-23 Radley Mews, Kensington, London W8 6JP

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7937 8487

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7937 1097

E- Mail: mail@graemehunt.com

Website: http://www.graemehunt.com/

1933 BENTLEY 3 1/2 LITRE 
Park Ward Sports Saloon

Chassis B15AE
Registration ALU 323

This Bentley is truly historic in the annals of the marque as this is the very first registered Derby Bentley
Owned by the factory and used as one of the 2 Trials Cars (an in-house term for a Press Vehicle)
The other vehicle (B1AE) which carried an open Vanden Plas body and was registered ALU 321 appearing in period shots alongside B15AE (ALU 323) most notably at the Aldenham Club House
B15AE was the first Derby Bentley to have been registered and used on the road as a test vehicle & delivered having been granted its' Guarantee several weeks earlier than any other Derby
She was also used to launch the model to the public and VIPs in August 1933 at the Royal Hotel, Ascot including test drives by:-

the great W O Bentley himself / Sir Malcolm Campbell - prolific Land Speed Record Holder (who wrote a report on his experiences in the Field magazine) / Wolf Barnato (Bentley Boy & member Board Member for the new company) & the Earl of March (later the Duke of Richmond & Gordon) amongst many other notable clients & journalists

She was used for customer trials as well and is featured in period brochures and later in many reference books on the marque - including the definitive works Bentley, the Silent Sports Car, 1931 - 41

written by Michael Ellman-Brown

She is also listed in Jonnie Greens fabulous Bentley, 50 years of the Marque and "Bentley Past & Present" by Rivers Fletcher

After over 85 years, remarkably, she still wears her original Park Ward bodywork number C.602

Should be noted that this is the very first of Park Ward's production bodies too

The engine is the correct unit originally installed into this chassis bearing number Z8BA

Having been so well treated in the intervening 85 years she was extensively rebuilt in the 1990s / early 2000s with new ash framework whilst using as many original parts as possible - she remains remarkably original in appearance and importantly retains all of the important bits (chassis B15AE / engine Z8BA / body C.602)

At the same the engine was also thoroughly rebuilt with a reground crankshaft, big & small end bearings, new valves & guides, water pump etc etc

She drives beautifully & is regularly exercised, notwithstanding her importance within the annals of Bentley history

A real joy to behold and also representing a really important part of Bentley company history, as already mentioned

SOURCE: http://www.graemehunt.com/motorcar/449/1933-bentley-3-1-2-litre-sports-saloon-by-park-ward-the-first-ever-registered-derby-bentley

SELECTED BY:

IDRIS THE SQUIRREL

I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS

Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

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1935 BENTLEY 3.5 Litre - Frank Sale and Stepsons125 Harlequin Avenue, Great West Road, London TW8 9EW,

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125 Harlequin Avenue, Great West Road, London TW8 9EW, UK

• Tel: +44(0)20 8847 5447     Fax: 020 8560 5748      Email: sales@frankdale.com

1935 BENTLEY 3.5 Litre

During the late 1920s and early 1930s Bentley ran into grave financial trouble and by 1931 Rolls-Royce had stepped in and bought the assets and goodwill of the defunct company and formed a new one, Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd. Rolls-Royce had considered the Bentley marque to be a growing threat to their future success, but following their purchase decided to continue the Bentley name, albeit under their own stewardship, taking the company in an entirely new direction with the creation of the Silent Sports Car or Derby Bentley. In 1933 the new Bentley 3.5 Litre model was released and was an instant success.

 The combination of effortless power and style met with almost universal praise. It was powered by a developed twin-carburetor version of Rolls-Royces own 20/25 model and was installed in a low 126-inch wheelbase chassis that basically remained unaltered until the cessation of production in 1939 due to the outbreak of hostilities. Synchromesh was present on third and fourth gears and the Derbys were fitted with a cross-flow cylinder head and superb servo assisted brakes, encapsulating all of the perfection of Rolls-Royce engineering in this small sporting Bentley. Fitting of individual coachwork by approved body builders continued in true Rolls-Royce fashion giving potential buyers a great deal of choice in the look of their new motor car. Chassis No B65BN was completed in September 1935 and delivered to its first owner Miss Phyllis Robins shortly afterwards. It was fitted with three-position drophead coupe coachwork by Corinthian of Kilburn Lane in London NW10.

 It is understood that only three bodies were produced by Corinthian, two for Lagonda Rapiers and just a single body for this Derby Bentley, making B65BN unique. The sales order from Conduit Street records that the car was supplied to Miss Robins of Baker Street in central London by Chester & Cole Ltd. The striking coachwork appears to be a beautiful mix of transatlantic and continental designs, with Art Deco features. 

The combination of the extended bonnet, angled windscreen and rakish extended sweep to the rear result in a very pleasing and attractive appearance. Miss Robins kept the car for just a few months and sold it in December of 1936 to Mr. J James of Stockton on Tees who retained it until 1945. In August of 1945, he sold it to Mr. R Taylor who kept the car just a few months, selling it in December 1945 to Mr. F Porter of Liverpool. He, in turn, kept the car until January of 1951 before selling it to Mr. R Rathbone in West Kirby in the Wirral. Chassis No B65BN changed hands for the final time in January of 1959 when it became the property of a family in Liverpool. They have retained ownership from 1959 until the present day. The car was used between 1959 and 1965 before it was put into storage for approximately twenty years after falling into a state of disrepair. During the mid-1980s the coachwork and ash frame underwent significant restoration at the family's request.

 Mechanically speaking the car was deemed to be in good order at this time, however, in the 1990s further aspects were tended to. By the late 1990s, the back axle required completely overhauling, so it was dispatched to Fiennes engineering where the crown wheel and pinion, bearings, and differential were renewed. In 2003 Fiennes was then instructed to completely overhaul the clutch. The car was then driven sparingly before being stored once again, between 2007 and 2011. By 2011 the family decided to invest further in B65BN, instructing a detailed inspection of the car by one of the worlds most respected Derby Bentley specialists. Over the following few years, bringing us to the present day, the following works were carried out to B65BN by said specialist, all executed to a very high standard. 

The front suspension was re-built, the radiator was overhauled, the engine was overhauled, the coachwork was restored and re-painted, the interior was replaced, restoration of the hood frame and a new hood in dark blue mohair and re-chroming to a number of areas of the brightwork. The works listed above do not cover the whole process, details of which are available upon request. The works are documented in the cars history file, available to be viewed at our London showroom. The result is a car of great quality and one that drives absolutely beautifully. It is quiet, powerful and superbly prepared in every respect. It should be driven in person to be truly appreciated. Chassis No B65BN represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a fully prepared, extremely stylish Derby Bentley built to a unique design and in our opinion, it should be seriously considered by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

If you would like to make an inquiry about this vehicle, please contact us by phone on 020 8847 5447 or by email at sales@frankdale.com

SOURCE: 

SELECTED BY:

IDRIS THE SQUIRREL

I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS

Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

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