4,257cc OHV 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
Approximately 100bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission with Electronic Overdrive Fitted
4-Wheel Servo Boosted Drum Brakes

*Exceptionally well-documented history
*Attractive original Vanden Plas coachwork
*Beautifully maintained example
*Eligible for many motoring events around the world
*Ideal car for rallying, or Concours events

THE DERBY BENTLEY

By the end of the 1930s the Derby Bentley, introduced towards the beginning of that decade following the firm's take-over by Rolls-Royce, had undergone a number of significant developments. Not the least of which was in 1936, when an increase in bore size upped the capacity to 4,257cc.

Ernest Hives, who ran Rolls-Royce simultaneously while working on the Spitfire, conceived the idea of placing a tuned and modified 25/30 Rolls-Royce engine in the chassis in lieu of the much smaller unit originally planned. It enjoyed a superior specification in Bentley form, boasting twin SU carburetors, raised compression ratio and a more sporting camshaft. Thus, the new 4¼-Liter model offered more power than before while retaining the well-proven chassis with its faultless gear-change and servo-assisted brakes. It was the construction of modern highways in Continental Europe, where the car had been extensively tested by W.O. Bentley, that enabled him to suggest multiple improvements. This unlikely synergy gave birth to the Silent Sports car, a car with unique qualities of precision construction and exceptional handling in a package which represented a true pinnacle of elegance.

The Derby Bentley was, of course, an exclusively coachbuilt automobile. Of the 2,442 manufactured, owner-driver saloon and Drophead Coupe bodies, mostly by Park Ward, were the norm. Very few cars were bodied with more sporting bodywork.

MOTORCAR OFFERED

Completed in 1936, the car on offer was dispatched to Vanden Plas coachbuilders and fitted with body 3441. It is only the second tourer built by Vanden Plas on the 4¼-Liter chassis after the sister car, B 22GA, was delivered to Malcolm Campbell. In total, Vanden Plas built just twelve tourers on these chassis. It is also believed that of those twelve tourers, only the car delivered to Mr. Campbell and this one were fitted with a low windscreen.

According to the historical records, the car was finished in maroon over black with maroon leather and delivered to its first owner, a Mr. W.G. Jordan, on March 25, 1936. By 1939 the car was owned by Major P.R. Davies Cooke, who retained the car during the war. Following the war in 1946, the car was purchased by a Mr. Peter Riley, who at the time was working as an apprentice at the Rolls-Royce Crew Works as a production road tester. According to a letter from Mr. Riley, he enjoyed the car a great deal, entering it in a number of hill climbs, sprints, rallies, and many Bentley Drivers Club events. In fact, he entered the car in the 1950 Welsh Rally and finished 2nd overall, two places ahead of the legendary Sydney Allard.

The car passed through the hands of a few other well-known owners, including noted London broker Richard Hicks, before being purchased by Charles Howard. In the late 1980s, the car was purchased, in a partially dismantled state, by Mr. Michael Bradfield, a one-time chairman of the Bentley Driver Club. During the late 1980s and early 1990s Mr. Bradfield commissioned a total and complete restoration with bills totaling 140,000 pounds. The car then passed to Mr. Bo Zarnegin in 1995, and then to Mr. George Rombouts-Howitts in 2003, who commissioned a great deal of further restoration work carried out by Fiennes Engineering, Alpine Eagle and Wildae Restorations. Mr. Rombouts-Howitts used the car on various rallies and tours but maintained the car so meticulously that he was awarded 3rd in class when he showed the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2009. The car later became part of the renowned collection of Sir Anthony Bamford before being acquired by Mr. Charlie Prince. The current owner acquired the car from the Bonhams Quail Lodge sale in 2016. It has since been maintained carefully and used on a regular basis on weekends.

Representing thoroughbred motoring at its very best, this iconic Vanden Plas Tourer represents one of the highest pinnacles of the Derby Bentley. This particular example is impeccably sorted and with its additional electronic overdrive is an ideal car for long distance touring or rallying. With its active competition history and its extraordinary long-term ongoing preservation by marque specialists, the opportunity to acquire this car should give the next owner much pleasure, and will be an undoubted invitation to multiple prestige motoring events worldwide.