Highlights

Elegant Park Ward Drophead Coupé coachwork, body number 222
Traceable ownership history from its first registered keeper in 1936, we are told
Mechanically and structurally overhauled during current ownership
A proven long-distance tourer, driven regularly through France and the UK
In current ownership for approximately 11 years

The Appeal

The Derby Bentley 4¼ Litre is among the most admired of all pre-war motor cars. Built during the marque's tenure under Rolls-Royce stewardship at Derby, these cars married refined engineering with the sporting character that had defined Bentley from the outset. Clothed in bespoke coachwork by Park Ward, one of the most respected coachbuilders of the era, a Drophead Coupé such as this offered the best of both worlds: elegant open-air motoring with the refinement of a closed car when the hood was raised.

Chassis B-86-HK was delivered new in October 1936 to Mr Dudley Harwood through the dealer W. Watson & Co. Remarkably, Mr Harwood retained the car for 46 years before it passed to Mr Andrew Cunningham in 1982. It subsequently spent time with the well-known Bentley specialist Frank Dales during the 1990s, before being exported to the United States where it resided with Mr Dean Buchanan for approximately 11 years. The Bentley returned to Europe in 2007, spending time in Spain before the current owner acquired it in 2015. Upon acquisition, he drove B-86-HK from Spain to his holiday home in the Loire, and then onward to the UK.

Since then, the car has enjoyed regular summer tours through rural France, taking in the Loire and Dordogne regions. This active use has been underpinned by a conscientious servicing regime that has included both a mechanical and structural overhaul, all while preserving the Bentley's appealing patina. The vendor describes this as a very charming Derby Bentley – one that is ready to be used and enjoyed as its makers intended.

History and Paperwork

First registered in October 1936, original registration ACA156
Chassis number B-86-HK, Park Ward Drophead Coupé body number 222
First registered keeper retained the car for 46 years
Passed through the hands of noted Bentley specialist Frank Dales during the 1990s
Previously exported to the United States, later resided in Spain before being brought to the UK in 2015
MOT-exempt as a pre-1960 vehicle
Spanish registration and inspection documents supplied, along with various maintenance invoices, evidence of ash frame repair, and correspondence from previous owners, all pictures in the image gallery
The odometer shows 87,136 miles (unwarranted)

The Condition

Park Ward Drophead Coupé coachwork retaining its patina, not having undergone a concours-level restoration
Green paint with black fenders and a beige soft-top roof
Two-tone black and beige interior with wood inlays
Black wire-spoke wheels; spare wheel supplied
Structural overhaul carried out during current ownership
The vendor describes the car as "a very charming Derby Bentley"
Prospective buyers are encouraged to study the photographs closely and arrange a viewing

This 1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre Drophead Coupé by Park Ward is a wonderfully charismatic example of Derby-era Bentley craftsmanship, combining elegant Park Ward coachwork with the kind of honest patina that only decades of careful preservation can create. Finished in classic green with contrasting black fenders and a beige soft-top roof, the car presents with timeless pre-war style, while the beautifully appointed two-tone black and beige interior, complete with rich wood inlays, offers a warm and inviting cabin atmosphere. Black wire-spoke wheels and the accompanying spare complete the period-correct aesthetic. Importantly, the car has benefitted from a structural overhaul during the current ownership, ensuring it retains both its charm and usability. Described by the vendor as “a very charming Derby Bentley,” this is not an over-restored concours piece, but rather an authentic and immensely appealing motor car with character in abundance; the sort of Bentley equally suited to relaxed touring, distinguished events, or simply admiring in the garage.

The Mechanics

4,257cc overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine, around 125bhp
Four-speed manual with right-hand floor shift and synchromesh on 3rd/4th gears
Mechanical overhaul carried out during current ownership
Regular servicing regime maintained throughout current ownership
Used regularly for long-distance touring through France

Beneath the long bonnet, this Bentley 4¼ Litre Drophead Coupé by Park Ward is powered by Bentley’s celebrated 4,257cc overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine, producing around 125bhp and delivering the effortless torque and refinement that made Derby Bentleys some of the finest grand touring cars of their era. Paired with a four-speed manual gearbox featuring a right-hand floor shift and synchromesh on third and fourth gears, the car offers a wonderfully engaging yet surprisingly usable driving experience for a pre-war motor car. During the current ownership, the Bentley has benefitted from a mechanical overhaul and has been maintained under a consistent servicing regime, reflecting an owner committed to preserving both its character and reliability. Importantly, this is not a static collector’s piece; it has been used regularly for long-distance touring through France, a testament to its road manners, dependability, and the enduring capability of these magnificent pre-war Bentleys to cover serious distances in style and comfort.

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