1937 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Park Ward Standard Steel Saloon

Vendor Robert Bradfield purchased this magnificent Bentley in 2011 and has covered around 5000 miles in it since then. “It’s only ever been used in good weather – 1930’s windscreen wipers are not as effective as modern ones! We have enjoyed a number of very enjoyable road trips in her.”

He estimates that, excluding the original purchase price, he has spent around £60k on the car. “This includes a complete rewire, woodwork repair and re-veneering, spring shackle replacement, boot aperture rebuild and repaint, cylinderhead gasket replacement, driver’s door B-pillar re-fabrication, new driving dogs and new splined driving shaft, new tyres, wheels and locking nuts, a new steam valve and front bumper safety stays”. 

All that has ensured that the Bentley presents today in fine driving fettle, as does the fact that Robert has carried out annual servicing as per the technical manuals regardless of annual mileage. 

The car has an interesting well-travelled history having been delivered new on August 4, 1937, to Cape Town, South Africa. Its first owner was a prominent dentist and keen member of the Wildlife and Botanical Societies of South Africa, a Dr Maxwell Leon Ashton of Primrose Avenue Wynberg. From 1977 to 1982 it resided in Chicago Heights, Illinois, before reappearing in 1990 under the ownership of RR Obsolete Parts Inc in Florida. 

“The Bentley was imported back to the UK by a G Boxshall in 1995, via ownership of a D Toms in the British Virgin Isles, before being purchased by an S Houlihan in the Republic of Ireland. The Real Car Company took ownership in 1996. It was believed to be in a bit of a state at this stage and from that point the restoration progressed. In 1996, an R Smith of Weybridge purchased and owned B116KT and owned it for the next 15 years, before I purchased it via Vintage and Prestige”. 

Having recently moved house Robert has found that he isn’t using the 4½ Litre as much as he used to, “Like all old cars it needs to be used so I have decided that the time is right to move her onto a new owner, and as she approaches 100 years old, the next stage of her life”.   

There’s just a certain something about a ‘Derby’ Bentley… that long snout, upright cabin and sweeping cycle wings combination offers such a thrusting disposition; it’s at once delicate and prepossessing, yet the design still manages to retain a distinct underlying masculinity. Presented here in Black over Cream, this example looks fabulous.

The exterior presents with a nice patina; as such, there’s the odd minor bodywork blemish, but no deal breakers. Paintwork is a little cracked in places but retains a fine finish, and the colour scheme suits the car to a capital T. Door fit remains very decent with excellent panel lines, and there appear to no signs of bodily fatigue that can affect cars of this vintage. 

The chrome is generally good, although there’s a touch of tarnish on one of the headlamps and the Lucas badge atop is chipped. At each corner you will find matching body-coloured painted wire wheels in good condition and shod with fresh-looking rubber. 

Trafficators function as they should but, in a nod to both modernity and safety, indicators have been added front and rear. 

A large range of tools along with travelling spares is provided.

An indoor car cover is also provided. 

The Bentley’s cabin colour scheme and finish provides an alluring interior environment. 

The front seats are magnificently sculpted and remain in very nice condition whilst those in the rear present similarly – all remain very well bolstered and capable of providing a high level of comfort. If we’re being picky, there is the tiniest touch of grazing on the top edge of the driver’s seat base and a few dark marks on the nearside arm of the rear seat. 

Restorative work to the wood veneers sees them present with a deep, rich colour and one that contrast beautifully to the profusion of tan leather hides.

Up top, the headlining is clean, and a sunshine roof offers access to yet more light in an already airy feeling cabin. Carpets, black piped tan, are in fine condition and nicely fitted. Door cards are matching too, and again present smartly. 

Golden rope pulls are fitted to the B-pillars, finishing things off perfectly. 

An eleltrical isolation switch is fitted under the dashboard on the passenger side bulkhead, with an extra foot-operated horn button on the driver’s side.

“This is classic pre-war motoring. Mechanically all appears sound and good. The engine pulls well from a standing start in 2nd gear (1st is only needed in the hills) and 4th gear makes for easy driving. Steering is unassisted so is heavy at slow speeds, as is usual, but lightens nicely at normal driving speeds. The brakes work well and are servo-assisted, with no pulling." 

Underneath, the Bentley looks to be in rude health. There’s the tiniest bit of surface corrosion here and there but in general it’s very good; the leather suspension gaiters remain in superb nick, and everything looks well greased. A stainless-steel exhaust system is fitted. 

“The car comes with some under-trays, but I’ve never actually fitted them as they are not complete and I’m not sure if they are Bentley or Rolls-Royce items." 

Tools provided include an inspection light, jack, wheel spanner, wheel hammer and starting handle. Within the tool roll you will also find an open-ended spanner set, box spanners, tapper spanners, a C-spanner, screwdriver, and adjustable spanner. Spares included in a wooden box are an inner tube, HT leads and spark plug caps, spark plug caps and spacers, a wiper blade, a tyre pressure gauge, a distributor cap, points condenser and ballast wire, assorted fuses, assorted aluminium washers, gasket material, Enots Autolube greaser and spare bulbs – Phew! 

Suffice to say that you’ll be covered for most road trip-related eventualities. 

“There is also a C-Tek battery charger, which can be unplugged via a small hatch under the off-side rear seat”.

The Bentley’s V5c Registration Certificate confirms the car’s date of first UK registration as 16/03/1991 and indicates a total of 4 former keepers. 

Technical Manuals, which are worth a few hundred pounds, are also supplied with the vehicle. These include a Derby Bentley Technical Manual (BDC), a Service Instructions for Derby Bentley Cars (BDC), Bentley 4.15lt Instruction Book – No V (RREC reprint) and a laminated service wall chart. You will also vehicle build sheets present.

A wide range of invoices are present in the car’s history file and document the many and varied works carried out on the vehicle. Most significant are a range of restorative measures carried out by Aylesbury-based specialist Tim Walker Restorations Ltd; it’s worth taking your time to view these to get a full appreciation of the care and attention that the Bentley has received. 

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this car has been both in receipt of a wide range of restorative measures and very well maintained. 

We stated it in the Exterior section above but it’s worth reiterating… what a fabulous looking pre-war automobile. This Derby Bentley has had significant outlay in the vendor’s hands (circa £60k), which has built upon earlier restorative works by the immediate previous owner. 

It’s also been used regularly and serviced annually, no matter the mileage covered in the preceding 12 months. Prospective bidders can take comfort in the fact that regular fettling means it drives as well as it looks. 

We think this fine upstanding automobile will realise somewhere between £35,000 and £40,000. For that, the next owner will receive a superb slice of late Thirties motoring. 

If you’ve ever watched Jeeves and Wooster and thought its many pre-war vehicles look mightily impressive then this could be the steed for you – tally-ho.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.