Description
Vintage and Prestige are proud to offer this 1938 Bentley 4. 25 litre MR 'Overdrive' Brougham de Ville by James Young For Sale.
Registration: FGW 386
Chassis no: B38MR
Engine no:
This exceptionally stylish car is almost certainly the work of A. F. McNeil, the most influential British of coachwork during the great days of coachbuilding. He started his career with Gurney Nutting in 1919 and moved to James Young in 1937. He was still active in 1965 when he won a Gold Medal for the James Young Phantom V exhibited at the London Motor Show.
B38MR was built for the London Motor Show of 1938 and is illustrated in both ‘The Motor’ and ‘Autocar’ show editions. It is also to be seen in the Jack Barclay colour catalogue of that year, the current livery of Green/ Black can been seen in this catalogue.
Although featured in the catalogue, this is in fact 1 of only 2 examples built. It is curious to note that whilst James Young, who incidentally were taken over by Jack Barclay in 1937, describe the style as a ‘Brougham de Ville’, the Bentley records however refer to the styling as a ‘Barouchi de Ville’.
The car was originally envisaged by the designer as a Sedanca Coupé with a sliding top. It is obvious that this arrangement was not practical without raising the roof line. It is believed that it was originally equipped with a one piece ‘tarag’ top which has now been converted to a three piece top to enable convenient storage in the boot.
B38MR was purchased at the Motor Show by the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava who was married to a Guiness heiress. The Marquess kept the car until the outbreak of WW2 when it passed into the hands of R. R. Costain Esq. Mr Costain appears to have used the car throughout the war.
Next the Derby passed to Sir Geoffrey Winterbotham in 1946 and three other owners are recorded until 1957. At this point the B38MR was shipped to America where she resided for 30 years until returning to the UK in the late 80’s.
Charles Howard supplied FGW 386 in the late 90’s and since she has had extensive restoration works carried out which is heavily documented in the history file. All of the marque experts have tweaked and fettled this MR resulting in a beautifully driving and powerful car.
Only 200 M series ‘overdrive’ Bentleys were produced until the outbreak of WW2 halted production, to many they are known as the pinnacle of the Derby range thanks to the overdrive gearbox allowing greater speed with lower revolutions, the steering was also vastly improved with the addition of a Miles steering box.
Thanks to recent works the paintwork is finished beautifully, the colour combination is certainly striking and finished to a very high standard. The roof itself is a work of art, you can leave the font completely open and exposed or cover this with the 2 side pillars and mohair roof. Also the three piece hardtop which easily slides together and fixes in place, with or without the roof the body lines are exceptional.
When you open the doors you are instantly notice the beautifully designed interior. You notice more details in the cappings every time you look, the Connolly leather is beautifully patinated and well fed.
This stunning and rare Derby truly wants for nothing, in our showroom ready for viewing.
A gallery of large high-resolution pictures may be viewed on our website.
Office the details below
Richard Biddulph the details below
Christoff Cowens the details below
We accept Credit/ Debit Cards.
Part Exchange welcome.
Weekend & evening viewings OK.
Viewings by appointment :
Prestige House.
9 Globe Industrial Estate,
Grays, Essex, RM17 6ST
