Description
1937 Bentley 4 1/ 4 Litre Derby 4 Door 4 Light Sports Saloon with Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly Ltd. of London. Total Ownership History from new with copies of the Build Sheets and Invoice to the first owner Helen Macan from Jack Barclay Ltd of London and the Original Buff Log Book and Buff and Green Continuation Log Books, there is even some research into the prominent owners. Purchased from Bentley Heritage Dealer P&A Wood in Essex and Many Thousands of Pounds recently spent including a full Rewire, comprehensive Brake Overhaul and Recent Leather Retrim work as well as other improvements. Comprehensive Tool Tray in Boot Compartment, P100 Head Lights and Ace Wheel Discs. Restored in the 1990’s including a Repaint, Engine and Running Gear Rebuild as well as installing a higher back axle ratio as per the later overdrive cars for more relaxed touring, this Pre War Bentley is ready to be driven anywhere.
Burgundy Maroon Red and Black Coachwork with Burgundy Red Leather.
Original Registration Number, ELK 139, Chassis Number B168KT (This is also stamped on the inside of the bonnet hinge), Engine Number W3BP, Body Number 6615. Chassis on Test 26th May 1937, Chassis Delivered to Thrupps 5th June 1937 and Tested on 10th July 1937. Completed Car Delivered to Jack Barclay Ltd. of George Street, London. First Registered to Helen Macan of Cumbria on 10th December 1937 to replace her 3 1/ 2 Litre Park Ward Derby Bentley, chassis B83BL.
This fabulous Derby Bentley has a lovely rakish sweeping shape to the original body, a 4 Door, 4 Light Owner Driver Sports Saloon which comes with copies of the original build sheets and full ownership history, this is very rare for a pre war car. The first owner kept it until her death in 1964 and it has the original buff logbook. This T&M design is very rare and it is very practical for transporting five people in comfort, the front seats have long runners to accommodate all drivers. This motor car is in excellent condition with very few minor flaws, the last owner covered over 30k trouble free miles. Bob Jefferson of Classic Sports of Brookfield, Massachusetts did a superb job with the restoration, especially the coachwork, everything closes with such precision. The front seat bases have recently been retrimmed in leather which is a superb match to the original interior, the original body number is still in place as are the Thrupp & Maberly sill plates. The woodwork is in lovely condition as is the headlining. The semaphore indicators work, now fitted with L. E. D. flashing bulbs. The present mileage reads 45, 200, we have M. O. T. test certificates back to 4, 571 miles in 1975 and 5, 003 miles in 1984. Road Taxed so okay to test drive, it is Tax and M. O. T. Exempt. The rebuilt original 4, 257cc straight six engine starts on the button, performs superbly and sounds lovely aided by a stainless steel exhaust system, it shows very good oil pressure and cool water temperature sitting around 70 degrees. The recent full Rewire means everything works and it is safe. This Derby has also just had a comprehensive brake overhaul and other general work performed, it is ready for continental touring next spring.
This is a very imposing Derby Bentley. A number of features include Flying B radiator mascot as well as the fabulous P100 headlamps, covered side mounted spare, wind deflectors on all four doors, fast open and close drivers window, external petrol filler door, heater, large centre spot light, twin horns, roll down sun visors, rare illuminated rear number plate holder, one shot lubrication system, chrome bumpers and owners manual. This rare Thrupp & Maberly body has chrome strips that run along each side and line up with the door handles, all the doors are rear hinged which is a nice period feature and the front scuttle has an opening vent for fresh air.
The unique ownership history includes the first owner Helen Macan, she received this Bentley as a 23rd Birthday gift from her parents, she traded in her 1934 3 1/ 2 Litre Park Ward Derby Bentley she had owned from new, registration number BGN 944, this is now in the U. S. A., she received £650 from Jack Barclay for this with the cost to upgrade being £1, 055 as this Thrupp retailed at £1, 705. She left this Bentley in her Will (A copy is even in the file) to her friend Glory Evelyn Howard on her death in 1964, she then owned it until 1973. The next owner was Kenneth Neave OBE, Chairman of the V. S. C. C. and member of the RAC Historic Car Committee, he owned a number of Vintage Rolls-Royce cars including a 1911 Silver Ghost and Phantom II Drophead, he also raced a Bugatti. After two more short term owners it headed to the U. S. A. where it has had three owners and the restoration was completed, it even featured on Chasing Classic Cars with Wayne Carini in the background parked at Lime Rock. The present owner is the first U. K. owner on the return, luckily with the original registration number reinstated. Thrupp and Maberly bodied 104 4. 25 Litre Derbys, Jack Barclay Ltd. maintained a demonstrator throughout the whole period of Derby Bentley production.
This Motor Car can be viewed by prior appointment at the owners house near Lincoln, with good access from the A1 Road and the London to Edinburgh Mainline Railway. It has been enthusiast owned and sadly is now for sale to fund the purchase of a 4 1/ 2 Litre Vintage W. O. Bentley Tourer he is having built.
Price £99, 950 o. n. o.
Julian Brown Classic Car Commissions specialise in sales and sourcing of Rolls–Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz motor cars, we will however sell or source any Motor Car or Automobilia item on your behalf with the sale of motor cars starting from 3% all in. We are privileged to offer this fine Bentley for sale on behalf of its owner, for further information please telephone or send a message via this advert.
We also offer Secure, Dry and Discreet Indoor Car Storage 7 Miles from Lincoln City Station which is connected to London Kings Cross and St. Pancras with easy access from the A1 Road. Located on a private country estate with C. C. T. V. and Electric Gated Access we offer the perfect location for storing your motor car from 1 Week to Long Term continuous storage, your car can be laid up or exercised on lovely quiet rural Lincolnshire country lanes and looked after by ourselves, rates start from £10 per week, please contact us for further information.
Please see our other items for more Motor Cars and Automobilia items.
Please note this Motor Car can be viewed strictly by prior appointment.
