Lot details
Registration No: RG 8740
Chassis No: B157KU
Mot Expiry: March 2010

By the mid 1930s, there was something of a horsepower war going on among the top British car manufacturers. With the advent of high-speed Continental roads such as Italy's autostradas and Germany's autobahns, the race was on to build a sports saloon that could crack the magic 100mph barrier. Thus, Alvis released first the 3.5 Litre and then the 4.3 Litre, Lagonda evolved the M45 into the more powerful LG45 and Bentley gave its customers the option of a larger 4.25 Litre engine during the 1936 season. A derivative of that fitted to the Rolls-Royce 25/30 the 4257cc OHV straight-six unit was suitably reworked gaining twin SU carburettors and a wilder camshaft in the process. Priced at £50, a comparatively small sum compared to the cost of a basic chassis, it proved so popular that the standard 3.5 Litre powerplant was soon dropped. Nicely balanced to begin with, the Derby Bentley chassis was more than capable of handling the extra power and torque. Equipped with all-round leaf-sprung suspension, assisted drum brakes, a precise four-speed manual gearbox and worm and nut steering, its poise and responsiveness proved more than a match for many peers.

The copy build sheets which accompany this particular example - chassis number `B157KU' - make for interesting reading if only because the intended first customer is noted as "Croall, Scottish Show". Whether or not the respected dealers John Croall & Sons Ltd actually exhibited the H.J. Mulliner bodied Four-Door Four-Light Sports Saloon on their stand at the November 1937 Scottish Motor Show is unclear. However, the same copy build sheets show that the Bentley's first private keeper was Sydney S. Potts Esq of King's Gate, Aberdeen who had a guarantee issued to him on 4th December 1937. Known to have belonged to Squadron Leader H. E. Blyth Esq of Rottingdean, Sussex by the early 1950s, the 4.25 Litre is understood to have had just three keepers in the last quarter century (though, it was registered to the previous custodian's company from 1996 - 2002). Treated to an engine overhaul and partial rewiring in December 1997, more recent work has apparently seen the Bentley benefit from attention to its water pump, exhaust system, starter solenoid and rear lights.

Finished in Dark Green with brown leather upholstery, chassis `B157KU' is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition with regard to its engine, four-speed manual gearbox, bodywork and paintwork (while, he considers the interior trim to be "as new"). Riding on painted wire wheels, this handsome `razor edge' Derby Bentley is offered for sale with history folder including the aforementioned copy build sheets and various invoices.