Bentley 4.25-Litre Sports Saloon by Park Ward

The 2,422 Bentleys produced between 1933 and 1939 are known as the 'Derby Bentleys' after the Rolls-Royce factory in which they were built. Rolls had secretly acquired Bentley Motors from the receiver in 1931 and was determined to honour the magnificent sporting heritage that came with this illustrious brand. Although the cars were based on the existing Rolls-Royce 20/25 and 25/30 models, they were much more than a badge-engineering exercise with considerably more powerful engines and a more sporting chassis.

Dubbed 'The Silent Sportscar' the first Derby Bentley had a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine with a new cross-flow cylinder head, twin SU carbs and twin fuel pumps. Feeding its 105bhp through a four-speed synchromesh gearbox, the car was good for a genuine 90mph and was widely praised for its combination of speed, refinement and handling prowess. Even WO Bentley himself was reported as saying: "Taking all things into consideration, I would rather own this Bentley than any other car produced under that name."

Faced with increasing competition from the likes of Alvis and Lagonda, in 1936 Rolls enlarged the capacity of the engine to 4.25-litres which boosted the power to 126bhp, allowed a top speed of virtually 100mph and notably improved acceleration. As before, completed chassis were supplied to the leading coachbuilders of the time and a variety of stunning looking cars resulted, marking what was perhaps the peak period of the British coachbuilders’ art. Just 1,234 4.25-litre Bentleys were made before war put an end to production in 1939.

As copies of the original factory build sheets confirm, this particular Bentley was built in June 1937 and was bodied by Park Ward in August of that year with the four-door Sports Saloon coachwork it wears to this day. Originally registered EGJ 57, it was delivered new to first owner CJ Dawson Esq. of Clapham, London, who appears to have kept it until 1953 when ownership transferred to a W Beaumont of Huddersfield.

Not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but by 1989 it had been acquired by a Jon Radgick of London who decided to have it prepared for the 1990 London to Peking Rally. This work was carried out by V&R Autos of Finchley with bills on file for some £11,000 plus a further £1,844 to fit a Bentley Drivers Club supplied overdrive unit.

Unfortunately the engine threw a con-rod at the last minute and the car never made it to the start line of the event. In early 1991 the engine was totally rebuilt by PCW of Nottingham including new pistons and liners and a reground crank etc. A new clutch was also fitted and the crankshaft, flywheel and clutch assembly balanced, along with the con-rods. The cylinder head was also gas-flowed for higher performance to specifications recommended by Fiennes Engineering. The bill for labour alone amounted to over £4,500.

A new headlining was fitted in 1992 by Bruce Young coachworks of Weybridge and most of the exterior brightwork was also rechromed in the same year. The body was stripped to bare metal and repainted Burgundy over Claret. The brakes had in the past been converted to hydraulic and these were fully overhauled with a new servo and reconditioned Lockheed cylinders and pistons.

Since the engine was rebuilt the car has only covered some 11,000 miles and it is said to perform very well indeed with a relaxed cruising gait thanks to the overdrive gearbox. We were treated to a spirited test drive on the occasion of our visit and can confirm that the car bowls along very nicely. Driven some 80 miles to the sale, the car is MOTd and taxed until June 2013 and is ready for immediate use.

It comes with a large file of bills, an original owner’s handbook and even a copy of the Daily Mirror from 13th May 1937! Beautifully maintained and sensibly modified for long distance touring (and one of the world’s toughest rallies), it looks like a tempting prospect at the guide price suggested today.