1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre (Overdrive) Drophead Coupe by Vanden Plas

·        One of just two cars build to this design by Vanden Plas on the overdrive chassis

·        The Brussels and Geneva Motor Show car in 1939

·        Restored over seven years and completed in 2002

·        Recently prepared for sale by Derby Bentley specialists

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During the late 1920s and early 1930s Bentley ran into grave financial trouble and by 1931 Rolls-Royce had stepped in and bought the assets and goodwill of the defunct company and formed a new one, Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd. Rolls-Royce had considered the Bentley marque to be a growing threat to their future success, but following their purchase decided to continue the Bentley name, albeit under their own stewardship, taking the company in an entirely new direction with the creation of the Silent Sports Car or Derby Bentley. In 1933 the new Bentley 3.5 Litre model was released and was an instant success. The combination of effortless power and style met with almost universal praise. It was powered by a developed twin carburettor version of Rolls-Royces own 20/25 model and was installed in a low 126-inch wheel base chassis that basically remained unaltered until the cessation of production in 1939 due to the outbreak of hostilities. Synchromesh was present on third and fourth gears and the Derby’s were fitted with a cross flow cylinder head and superb servo assisted brakes, encapsulating all of the perfection of Rolls-Royce engineering in this small sporting Bentley. Fitting of individual coachwork by approved body builders continued in true Rolls-Royce fashion giving potential buyers a great deal of choice in the look of their new motorcar.

1936 saw further improvements with the introduction of the 4.25 Litre model when production of the 3.5 Litre unit ceased. Steady development continued throughout the cars production and in late 1938 even more power was obtained when the overdrive models were introduced, which were known as the MX/MR series cars. The original Bentley sales literature outlined the key improvements that improved the overdrive cars performance which included the provision of an overdrive gearbox which would allow the car to attain a greater maximum speed without exceeding maximum engine revolutions. The steering was of improved design, providing greater control under all conditions. Modified gear ratios and slight engine modifications also improved acceleration under certain conditions. The slower running engine coupled with the over drive top gear resulted in greater silence and smoothness. And finally centralised chassis lubrication and automatic shock absorbers with over-riding hand control were fitted. The MX/MR models were truly the ultimate incarnation on the Derby chassis and are still very much sought after some seventy years on. Just two hundred chassis examples were created, finding their way to lucky owners with a variety of coachwork designs.

Chassis No B76MR is one of two cars built to Design No 1581 by Vanden Plas on the overdrive chassis. This particular car was exhibited at both the Brussels and Geneva motor shows in 1939, whilst the sister car Chassis No B42MR was shown at the London Motor Show the previous year. B76MR was originally completed in metallic brown with a fawn leather interior and delivered to its first owner, Mr Claude Napier Taylor who retained the car until 1960. Mr John Williams owned B76MR until 1963 when it became the property of Mr David Mico who kept the car until his passing in 2002. Mr Mico had the car restored over a seven-year period between 1995 and 2002, using a number of respected companies to carry out various aspects of the work which included an engine and gearbox overhaul, chassis overhaul, ash frame and coachwork restoration and a full re-trim.

The car was acquired by the present family in 2005 and has since undergone further works to keep it in top condition. This beautiful overdrive Derby Bentley comes complete with its original log book and an extensive history file with chassis cards and photos and invoices documenting the works it has benefitted from over the past three decades.  

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