1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Tourer

Lot details
Registration No: RSJ 683
Chassis No: B46MR
Mot Expiry: Nov 2012

At the dawn of the 1930s with the reverberations of 'Black Friday' (29/10/1929) being felt worldwide, competition between carmakers grew increasingly desperate. Thus, while WO Bentley sought to refine his 8 litre into the ultimate luxury carriage, Rolls-Royce responded by dabbling with a sports car concept. Their concerns as to the branding of 'Peregrine' (as the project was labelled internally) were alleviated by Bentley's collapse in 1931. Outflanking rivals D. Napier & Son, they acquired Bentley wholesale (including WO's services) for £125,257. With a department brief that "the new car must be as unlike the Rolls-Royce models as possible" Derby engineers set about preparing 'Peregrine' for flight. Built on a 'double-dropped' chassis carrying all round semi-elliptic leaf sprung suspension and assisted drum brakes, the new car used a tuned version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25's 3669cc OHV straight-six. Boasting twin SU carburettors, a wilder camshaft, strengthened con-rods and a higher compression ratio, this revamped unit developed around 120bhp (a fifty percent improvement) without compromising on refinement. Equipped with the 20/25's four-speed manual gearbox, high-geared worm and nut steering and hydraulic dampers, the resultant 'Silent Sportscar' - as the Bentley 3.5 litre soon became known - was unveiled to great acclaim at the August 1933 Ascot Races.

Responding to increased competition from the likes of Alvis and Lagonda, Bentley gave its customers the option of a larger 4.25 litre engine during the 1936 season. Priced at £50, a comparatively small sum compared to the cost of a basic chassis, the new unit proved so popular that the standard 3.5 litre powerplant was soon dropped. Nicely balanced to begin with, the Derby Bentley chassis proved more than capable of handling the extra power and torque. Further revised in late 1938, the `Silent Sportscar' gained centralised chassis lubrication, automatic shock absorbers (with hand control override), better steering, improved 'big-end' crankshaft bearings and - most importantly of all - an 'overdrive' gearbox with direct drive on 3rd gear and overdrive on 4th gear. Available from chassis B2MR onwards, these modifications allowed it to tackle Europe's first generation of high-speed roads such as Italy's autostradas or Germany's autobahns with confidence. Long sought after due to their relaxed cruising capabilities and theoretical 100mph plus performance (they were geared to 107mph in 'overdrive' top), production of the final MR and MX series amounted to a mere 200 cars.

This particular example - chassis number B46MR - made its public debut on the Mann Egerton stand at the 1938 Earls Court Motor Show and was illustrated in contemporaneous issues of both The Motor and The Autocar before being sold to industrialist Joseph Holland Goddard the following July. Beginning life as a four-door, four-light Sports Saloon, its present two-door, four-seater Tourer body is understood to have been crafted by the renowned coachbuilder, Corsica. Reportedly entrusted to Healey Bros of Irthlingborough for an extensive `chassis up' restoration that took some eighteen years to complete (1983-2001), the Bentley has covered a mere 400 miles since and thus still requires a degree of running-in. Finished in Dark Green with Green leather upholstery, `RSJ 683' looks every inch the Post Vintage Thoroughbred thanks to its louvered bonnet, sculpted wings, cut-away doors, imposing Lucas headlamps and inset rear-mounted spare wheel. The MR and MX Series machines are rightly sought after representing as they do the ultimate incarnation of one of the best British motorcars of the 1930s. Riding on painted wire wheels, the Tourer boasts a hood, sidescreens and full/spilt tonneau cover. Described by the vendor as being in "lovely" condition, this handsome Derby Bentley is also said to be "a delight to drive". A tempting proposition with Motor Show provenance to boot, chassis B46MR is worthy of close inspection.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until Nov 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has covered 600 miles since the rebuild.