1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Two Seat Tourer

The Derby Bentley, introduced towards the beginning of the 1930s, had undergone a number of significant developments by the time of the firm's take-over by Rolls-Royce near the close of the the decade. In 1936, the bore size was increased, raising the capacity to 4257cc.

Ernest Hives, conceived the idea of placing a tuned and modified 25/0 Rolls-Royce engine in the chassis in place of the smaller unit originally planned. In Bentley form, it was fitted with twin SU carburetors, given a raised compression ratio, and a more sporting camshaft. Thus, the new 4.25-Liter model provided more power than before while retaining the sophisticated chassis, servo-assisted brakes, and its proven gear-change. After extensive testing by W.O. Bentley, multiple improvements were suggested, resulting in a vehicle comprised of precision construction and exceptional handling in an elegant package.

2,442 Derby Bentley models were built, with the majority being owner-driven saloon and Drophead Coupe bodies, mostly by Park Ward.

This is one of 200 Rolls-Royce-built Derby Bentleys with coachwork by Vanden Plas. In 1910 the British Vanden Plas Company was established just outside London. They built nearly a quarter of all the Bentleys ever built, starting with the W.O. vintage cars and including the Derby-era Bentleys. Derby Bentleys were often referred to as 'The Silent Sports Car,' beginning with the 1933 3.5-litre cars even before the larger 4.5-Litre engine was introduced in 1936. A total of 1,241 4.25-Litre Bentleys were built at the Derby factory. This 4.25-Litre tourer was built in May 1936 and is identical to one built for land speed record-holder Sir Malcolm Campbell.

This is only the second Tourer built by Vanden Plas on the 4.25-Liter chassis. It is one of just twelve tourers built by Vanden Plans on these chassis. It is also believed that of those twelve tourers, only Mr. Campbell's car and this example were fitted with a low windscreen.

The car left the factory finished in maroon over black with maroon leather and delivered to its first owner, a Mr. W.G. Jordan, on March 25, 1936. Major P.R. Davies Cooke purchased the car in 1939, and retained it during the war. After the war, in 1946, it was sold to a Mr. Peter, who at the time was working as an apprentice at the Rolls-Royce Crew Works as a production road tester. Mr. Peter entered the car in various hill climbs, rallies, and even the 1950 Welsh Rally where he finished 2nd overall.

After Mr. Peter's ownership, the car passed through the hands of several more individuals, before being purchased by Charles Howard. In the late 1980s the car was purchased, in a partially dismantled state, by Mr. Michael Bradfield. Mr. Bradfield commissioned a total and complete restoration with bills totaling 140,000 pounds. The car then passed to Mr. Bo Zarnegin in 1995, and then to Mr. George Rombouts-Howitts in 2003, who commissioned a great deal of further restoration work. Mr. Rombouts-Howitts used the car on various rallies and tours. In 2009, it earned a 3rd in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car later became part of Sir Anthony Bamford's collection before it came into the care of its current caretaker.