1937 Bentley 4¼ Litre Saloon by Park Ward
No Reserve - Entered from the Dering Collection

Registration No: BRY 594
Chassis No: B142KT
MOT: Exempt

• Entered from the Dering Collection, the property of a gentleman racing driver
• A handsome 'Derby' previously subjected to significant restoration work to the bodywork and mechanicals
• Fitted with overdrive operating on third and top gear
• Offered with a thick history file detailing history, which includes chassis cards

SALE ROOM NOTICE: We have only had sight of the old style V5, and therefore the new owner will need to apply for a new V5C.

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 autostrade and Germany's Autobahnen, the race was on to build a sports saloon that could crack the magic 100mph barrier. Thus, Alvis released first the 3½ 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 4¼ Litre engine during the 1936 season. A derivative of that fitted to the Rolls-Royce 25/30, the 4,257cc OHV straight-six unit was suitably reworked, gaining twin SU carburettors and a hotter 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 3½ 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 of its peers.

Still equipped with its exceptionally elegant Sports Saloon coachwork by Park Ward, B142KT boasts extensive history. Originally finished in Maroon with Red upholstery, it was sold new to Murray Wells Ltd. of Edward Buildings, Rutland Street, Leicester. By 1947, it had come into the possession of Borough Engineering Works Ltd. of Luton. After 1964, the Bentley went to America and did not return until the early 1990s.

In 1992, it was bought by Mr. Simon Hendra, who overhauled the bodywork and retrimmed the interior. Its long-term owner from 1993, Mr. Antony Martinez, treated it as a rolling restoration and subjected it to “complete mechanical and electrical refurbishment.” We hesitate to hyperbolise and deploy that oft-abused word “incredible,” but Mr. Martinez’s records must be seen to be believed. The owner of B142KT until 2022, he recorded expenditure of £44,218.81, of which over £12,000 had been spent by 2000. This initial work was entrusted to Alf Bartlett, a contributor to the Derby Technical Manual, and involved an engine overhaul with oversized pistons plus new ancillaries including the oil and water pumps, the overhaul of the springs, shock absorbers and both axles, relined brakes, overdrive installation and complete rewiring. Other work included a new radiator core, running boards and SU electric fuel pumps, a carburettor overhaul, the rewinding of the dynamo, and the fitment of two-speed self-parking wipers. Another £17,686 was spent between 2017 and 2020, including new tyres and a cylinder head overhaul.

Where Mr. Martinez’s records really defy belief is in his journey log. A keen participant in Bentley Drivers’ Club events, he painstakingly recorded every instance of the car’s use down to the minutiæ such as antifreeze top-ups and temperature and oil-pressure readings. Since 2022, B142KT has led a quieter life in the collection of the vendor, a well-known gentleman racing driver. Still beautifully presented, its huge history file additionally includes copies of the build sheets, some MOTs dating back to 1992 and photographic documentation of rallies and work.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430