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

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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

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E- Mail: mail@graemehunt.com

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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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