Lot 042: 1937 BENTLEY 4.25 LITRE SALOON

By the mid 1930s, there was something of a horsepower war going on among the top British car manufacturers. With the advent of high-speed Continental roads such as Italy's autostradas and Germany's autobahns, the race was on to build a sports saloon that could crack the magic 100mph barrier. Thus, Alvis released first the 3.5 Litre and then the 4.3 Litre, Lagonda evolved the M45 into the more powerful LG45 and Bentley gave its customers the option of a larger 4.25 Litre engine during the 1936 season. A derivative of that fitted to the Rolls-Royce 25/30 the 4257cc OHV straight-six unit was suitably reworked gaining twin SU carburettors and a wilder camshaft in the process. A tempting £50 option, a comparatively small sum compared to the cost of a basic chassis, it proved so popular that the standard 3.5 Litre powerplant was soon dropped. Nicely balanced to begin with, the double-dropped Derby Bentley chassis was more than capable of handling the extra power and torque. Equipped with all-round leaf-sprung suspension, assisted drum brakes, a precise four-speed manual gearbox and worm and nut steering, its poise and responsiveness proved more than a match for many peers. First registered by Wolverhampton City Council (or so its number plate would imply), this particular example was supplied new to J.J. Lloyd Esq in April 1937. A four-door Sports Saloon with coachwork by Park Ward, it entered the current ownership during 1966. Shipped to California later that year, the Bentley was reportedly treated to a sporadic restoration between 1970 and 2000. Said to have covered just 2,000 odd miles since a thorough engine overhaul (including conversion to full-flow oil filter), it has also benefited from partial rewiring and a repaint. Finished in maroon over cream with brown / grey leather upholstery, chassis B21JY is described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition. Sporting Ace wheel discs and an encased rear-mounted spare, the Park Ward Saloon was only repatriated during 2006. Pleasingly retaining much of its original leather, 'AJW 926' is offered for sale with current MOT certificate and historic class (free) road tax both valid until March 2009. PLEASE NOTE: This lot is not classified as a 'historic vehicle' on its V5C registration document. However, it has been zero rated for road tax duty purposes (please see accompanying tax disc).