Lot 524: 1937 Bentley 4 ¼ litre Drophead Coupé

Chassis no. B52KT is recorded as being registered in June 1937 to Messrs Park, Ward & Co., Ltd. of Willesden and is noted in Michael Ellman-Brown’s standard work, Bentley The Silent Sports Car 1931-1941, as being a Trials Car, in other words most likely a Park Ward demonstrator. By 1940 it was recorded in the ownership of J D Alexander Ltd., of Deansgate, Manchester, remaining in that area through the war years. The old buff log book reflects continuous use through the 1940s/50s/60s when it moved to Ireland into the ownership of Bentley enthusiast, B E Harberd of Dublin. It has remained in that area ever since in Bentley enthusiasts’ ownership, the present owner acquiring the car approximately three years ago since when considerable work has been carried out. This work has included a high quality respray in its present spruce green livery, re-chroming, the fitting of a new radiator core, rebuilding the water pump, fitting a new rotor and cap, speedo cable, reconditioned clutch and pressure plate and new thrust release bearing. The gearbox was dismantled and rebuilt with new bearings, drive shaft rebuilt and new silencer, rear springs and three new tyres fitted along with a new battery. B52KT is very smartly presented with light tan leather upholstery, an excellent lined hood and light brown leather bound carpeting. Distinctive features are the chrome-framed wind-up side windows, sprung front bumper, twin Lucas Alto horns, external hood pram irons, matching rear number plates and rear-mounted spare wheel. Instrumentation is all correct and in major respects the car conforms with factory specification. Discreet flashing indicators, working in conjunction with the original semaphores, are a practical safety feature. The car comes with a comprehensive history file, jack and hub nut spanner, mascot, old buff log book, old tax discs and a letter from the Department of Transport dated 1983, all of which documentation should enable the GMC 900 registration number to be re-applied for should the car return to the U.K. It is believed that only 10,000 or so miles have been covered since 1960 and the owner describes the engine as quiet and powerful and mechanical condition generally as very good. This handsome thoroughbred is of course eligible for both Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club and Bentley Driver’s Club events as well as V.S.C.C. competitions.