Lot 126: 1939 Bentley 4.25-Litre Drophead Coupe

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 3.5-Litre model, enjoyed a superior specification in Bentley form, boasting twin SU carburettors, raised compression ratio and a more ‘sporting’ camshaft. Thus the new 4.25-Litre 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, enabling cars to travel at sustained high speeds, that had prompted the introduction of the Hall’s Metal bearings and would lead eventually to the adoption of on an ‘overdrive’ gearbox and improved lubrication system on Bentley’s peerless Grand Routier, improvements which coincided with the introduction of the ‘M’-series cars in 1939.
With its 4.25-Litre engine, overdrive gearbox and all-weather, four-light drophead coupé body by Vanden Plas, ‘B76MR’ represents the Derby Bentley in its ultimate and most desirable incarnation. London-based coachbuilder Vanden Plas had forged its not inconsiderable reputation by a most fortuitous alliance with Bentley, bodying some 700-or-so of the latter’s chassis during the 1920s, including the Le Mans team cars. The firm survived Bentley’s demise and resurrection under Rolls-Royce ownership, diversifying into other makes and resuming the relationship with its old partner to produce some of the most sublime designs on the Derby Bentley chassis, of which ‘B76MR’ is without doubt one of the finest. Indeed, so dramatic and successful was it, that the car was exhibited on the Rolls-Royce/Bentley stand at the Brussels and Geneva Salons of 1939. Chassis ‘B76MR’ was the second of only two to wear this superb coachwork, the first (‘B42MR’) having been exhibited at the London Motor Show of 1938.
The car was delivered to its first owner, Claude Napier Taylor Esq, in whose possession it remained until 1960. After a brief ownership by a Mr John Williams, the car was sold to Mr David Mico who retained it until his death. The, by now, fully restored car was passed to his widow, who retained it kept until very recently.
It is rare to find such a wonderful car with so few owners and equally rare, also, for such a car to have undergone such a comprehensive restoration to such a high standard. Undertaken between 1995 and 2002, the restoration was entrusted to a number of noted marque specialists at a cost of £85,000. Fiennes Engineering carried out the chassis and engine bottom-end rebuilds, while Phantom Motors rebuilt the transmission, completed the engine (including fine tuning), re-plated the brightwork and installed a new electrical system. Connoisseur Restorations refurbished the timber framework, aluminium body panels and interior woodwork. Bare metal re-cellulosing was entrusted to Autobodies, while the splendid interior, with its full Connolly leather upholstery and Wilton carpeting is the work of Mike Thomas, as is the mohair hood and hood bag. The result is that ‘B76MR’ drives as spendidly as it looks and is ready for the Continental Grand Tour for which, with its overdrive gearbox, it was so aptly suited.
A fully restored example of an important Derby Bentley possessing impeccable provenance, ‘B76MR’ is offered with restoration invoices, old-style logbook, current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5 registration document.