1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports Saloon

● Aluminium body
● Overdrive transmission
● Professionally restored (2000s onwards)
● Restoration invoices and history available

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 an increase in bore size in 1936 that upped the capacity to 4,257cc, a move that coincided with the adoption of superior Hall's Metal bearings. This new engine was shared with the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the 25/30hp - and as had been the case with the preceding 3½-Litre model, enjoyed a superior specification in Bentley form, boasting twin SU carburettors, raised compression ratio and a more 'sporting' camshaft. Thus the new 4¼-Litre model offered more power than before while retaining the well-proven chassis with its faultless gear change and servo-assisted brakes.
The Derby Bentley was, of course, an exclusively coachbuilt automobile. Of the 2,442 manufactured, almost 50 percent were bodied by Park Ward in a limited number of styles, and this example is typical of the firm's popular four-door, four-light sports saloon. 'B160GA' was delivered new in May 1936 to one John Frederick Gretton and first registered as 'CXE 214', its current mark.
This handsome Bentley sports saloon underwent extensive restoration while belonging to its previous owner, John Zimbler, who had acquired the car in April 2000. Works carried out included overhauling the brakes and servo system, the front and rear suspension, and the radiator and cooling system. In addition, the exhaust was refurbished, the windscreen replaced and the car repainted in two-tone blue grey and Oxford blue, all the foregoing being done professionally and documented by invoices on file (issued by Fiennes Restoration and others).
The current owner purchased Bentley on 12th October 2013. Since then Fiennes Restoration and Classics of Broughton Poggs, Oxfordshire have worked on the steering; the front springs and shackles; and the steering side tube, as well as checking and setting the ignition timing and carrying out a general service and maintenance: brakes, shock absorbers and radiator (April 2016 to 2021). Fiennes also fitted new tyres and balanced the wheels in August 2021. 'CXE 214' has a V5C document and comes with history contained within a large file. The sensible addition of an overdrive (on 3rd and 4th gears) is the only notified deviation from factory specification.