1939 Bentley MK V Sports Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: GSU 858
Chassis No: B32AW
Mot Expiry: Oct 2003.

Here we have the rarest of all Derby Bentleys, one of just sixteen of the 1940 models that were handmade before WW2 stopped play. The Mk V marked the transition between the conventionally-sprung MX Series of 1939 and the postwar MkVI. The full overhead valves of the original 4.25-litre were retained as was the overdrive gearbox with 3.64:1 top gear adopted on the last of the true prewar variants to cut down cruising rpm on long Continental straights. The 10ft 4in wheelbase was shorter than that of the 1939 model and 4in longer than 1946 cars. The wheel size was smaller than previous Bentleys, the steering lighter and lower-geared, and the Park Ward-crafted saloon bodywork with integral boot, vestigal running boards and side-mounted spare anticipated MkVI styling.
The original chassis card for this historically important Bentley indicates that B32AW was to have been displayed by Jack Barclay at the 1939 London Motor Show as well as exhibited at the New York World Fair, although the outbreak of war put paid to both sales trips. The proposed 2-door design for the body would then appear to have been changed and 4-door bodywork fitted as currently on the car to this day. In 1940 Autocar Editor Geoffrey Smith became the first owner.
Having acquired it in 1989, the present owner commissioned Nottingham specialists Ristes to carry out a 1998-completed full body-off restoration including engine and gearbox rebuild (see history file for details), since when it has seen little road use apart from passing the current MOT. There cannot be a finer MkV on the market. Don't miss it!