Lot details Registration No: 941 EXC Chassis No: B122MR Mot Expiry: Feb 2007
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 enhanced by the adoption of improved 'big-end' crankshaft bearings and an 'overdrive' gearbox with direct drive on 3rd gear and overdrive on 4th gear (from 1939 chassis number B2MR onwards), the 4.25 litre took the first generation of high-speed Continental roads (such as Italy's autostradas or Germany's autobahns) in its stride. Ideal long-distance tourers capable of delivering genuine 100mph plus performance (they were geared to 107mph in 'overdrive' top), the last of the line MR and MX Series 4.25 litre cars have always been sought after machines.
Finished in silver with red leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition with regard to its 4257cc straight-six engine, four-speed overdrive manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. First registered on 30th March 1939, chassis B122MR was reportedly rebodied in the style of a Vanden Plas Tourer during 1971 whilst sat alongside the Malcolm Campbell car in Tony Robinson's workshop (the two Bentleys reputedly sharing the same dimensions and framework). Entering the current ownership some fifteen years later, it is said to have been treated to a "fully rebuilt engine, back axle, steering, one-shot lubrication system, dash and instruments". While cosmetically, it benefited from the fitting of new wings prior to being resprayed and retrimmed. Stated to have since won "many concours notably Top Cars On Top Of The World and the Fougere Rally in France to name but a couple", chassis B122MR is also understood to have "travelled extensively to many parts of the world including New Zealand, Canada, New England, New York, Scandinavia and on countless journeys and rallies in Europe all without any drama or breakdowns". A simply stunning looking motor car, this wonderfully presented Derby Bentley is offered for sale with history file and MOT certificate / historic class (free) road tax valid until February 2007.
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