1936 Bentley 4.25 Litre Vanden Plas Style Tourer

Lot details
Registration No: AGE 969
Chassis No: B51HM
Mot Expiry: July 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.

Specially commissioned by the Clyde Auto Co Ltd of Glasgow for display at the 1936 Scottish Motor Show, this particular example - chassis number B-51-HM - began life as a Park Ward saloon. Sold to first keeper, J.B. Macouat Esq of Cleveland Drive, Glasgow, on 20th March 1937, little is otherwise known about its early history. Rumoured to have belonged to Rivers Fletcher or one of his associates at the time, the Bentley was purchased by Geoff Hope of Greenfield Service Station Ltd from Alpine Eagle during summer 1996. Costing some £9,500, the car had been reduced to a rolling chassis but pleasingly retained its original engine (number R8BR). Acting on behalf of fellow Greenfield resident Kenneth Pressley, Mr Hope was subsequently tasked with masterminding its restoration; a process which took some three years and an estimated £60,000 to complete. Successfully aping the style of a circa 1934/1935 Derby Bentley Vanden Plas Tourer, the ash framing and flooring were entrusted to James E. Pearce (Sussex) Ltd, while the panel work and trimming were carried out by Jack Buckley and Bob McClevity respectively. Upgrades incorporated as part of the mechanical overhaul included the use of MkVI conrods (complete with shell bearings), a Fiennes Restoration supplied high ratio crown wheel and pinion, brand new Borg & Beck clutch and full-flow oil filter etc. Unfortunately, Mr Pressley died shortly after 'AGE 969' had passed its first post-rejuvenation MOT test.

Thereafter, chassis B-51-HM is known to have passed through the hands of Bernard Parris of Waldron, Heathfield who had it looked after by Sargeants of Goudhurst (with Fiennes Restoration refurbishing the steering box) and Mr M O'Donnell of Wadhurst, East Sussex before being acquired by noted collector Roy Hatfield during December 2004. Treated to a cylinder head overhaul and new camshaft followers by Ristes Motors some three years later, the Bentley also benefited from the installation of a Kenlowe electric fan and overdrive. Used and enjoyed by Mr Hatfield, a note on file from him states: "There have been many trouble free journeys in our ownership, culminating in the Far Eastern Tiger Rally in 2008, in which the vehicle performed faultlessly over four and a half thousand miles (through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) i.e. no overheating, maintaining correct oil pressure and with piped lubrication functioning correctly also perfect brakes etc". Bought from Mr Hatfield some eighteen months ago, 'AGE 969' has been sparingly used by Mr Jackson. An elegant and seemingly well restored motorcar, its history file comprises copy factory build sheets, numerous restoration / maintenance invoices (Greenfield Service Station Ltd, Fiennes Restoration, Sargeants of Goudhurst, Ristes Motors, James E. Pearce etc), starting instructions and handbook. Offered for sale entirely without reserve, this skilfully rebodied and matching chassis / engine numbers Derby Bentley is surely worthy of close inspection.