1937 Bentley 4.25 Litre Tourer
Formerly the property of the Rt Hon. Alan Clark MP

Registration No: CS 6856
Chassis No: B30LS
MOT: Exempt

• Supplied new to Miss Marjorie A Smith with HJ Mulliner Sports Saloon coachwork
• Rebodied as a Sports Tourer by Edmunds of Plymouth in 1960
• Subsequently owned by the renowned car collector and Tory MP, Alan Clark
• Treated to over £110,000 worth of work between 2017-2021 including an engine overhaul plus attention to the steering, brakes, wiring and suspension

Unveiled to great acclaim at the August 1933 Ascot Races, the Derby Bentley was underpinned by a ‘double dropped’ chassis featuring all-round semi-elliptic suspension and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a more potent version of its Rolls-Royce 20/25 sibling’s 3669cc OHV straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the newcomer was soon christened the ‘Silent Sportscar’. Responding to increased competition from the likes of Alvis and Lagonda, Bentley gave its customers the option of a larger 4257cc engine during the 1936 season. Priced at £50, a comparatively modest sum compared to the cost of a basic chassis, the new unit proved so popular that the smaller capacity powerplant was soon dropped. Nicely balanced to begin with, the Derby Bentley chassis proved more than capable of handling the extra power and torque. Just 1,241 4.25 Litre cars were completed before the outbreak of World War Two curtailed production.

Supplied new to Miss Marjorie A. Smith during November 1937 complete with H.J. Mulliner Sports Saloon coachwork, chassis B30LS is understood to pleasingly retain its original factory-fitted engine, H2BF. Surviving World War Two, the Bentley was reportedly rebodied as a rakish two-door Sports Tourer by Edmunds of Plymouth in 1960. Belonging to arch car enthusiast and MP, the Rt Hon Alan Clark, some three decades later, he spent circa £25,000 with Ristes of Nottingham having the running gear overhauled. A passionate motoring enthusiast, Clark bought his first car, a 6½-litre Bentley, while still at Eton. He went on to deal in classic and Vintage cars, amassing an impressive collection of Bentleys while also writing columns for Thoroughbred & Classic Cars magazine in the UK and Road & Track in the USA. He later recounted his motoring exploits in a book entitled Backfire: A Passion for Cars and Motoring.

Purchased by its preceding custodian for £87,360 on 11th May 2016, he lavished an additional £110,000 on the four-seater between 2017 and 2021. The vast of the majority of the work was carried out by marque specialist Glen A. Grindrod of Essex and included a new cylinder head, thorough engine overhaul (renewed white metal bearings, +30thou pistons) and attention to the radiator, fuel system, ignition system, steering, suspension, wiring, brakes and wheels. The Classic Coachwork Company of Essex reprofiled the wings and fettled the bonnet, while restored headlights, new ‘gothic’ rear lights and sundry replated brightwork enhanced the Sports Tourer’s appearance. Further benefiting from the fitment of a Payne overdrive during 2019, that same year saw ‘CS 8656’ complete the inaugural Rally The Globe (Carrera Iberia) event.

Only coming to market because the vendor wishes to downsize his collection, the Bentley started readily and ran well during our recent photography session. Equipped with a hood, sidescreens and tonneau cover, this handsome Sports Tourer has much to recommend it. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760