1938' Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Overdrive

1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre MR Overdrive H J Mulliner 'High Vision' Saloon -- Exhibited at the 1938 Earls Court Motor Show.

By the end of the 1930s the ‘Derby’ Bentley, introduced towards the beginning of that decade following the firm’s take-over by Rolls-Royce, had undergone a number of significant developments, not the least of which was an increase in bore size in 1936 that upped the capacity to 4,257cc, a move that coincided with the adoption of superior Hall’s Metal bearings. This new engine was shared with the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the 25/30hp - and as had been the case with the preceding 3½-Litre model, enjoyed a superior specification in Bentley form, boasting twin SU carburettors, raised compression ratio and a more sporting camshaft. Thus the new 4¼-Litre model offered more power than before while retaining the well-proven chassis with its faultless gear-change and servo-assisted brakes

The construction of modern highways in Continental Europe, enabling cars to travel at sustained high speeds, that had prompted the introduction of the Hall’s Metal bearings, would lead eventually to the adoption of on an ‘overdrive’ gearbox, improved steering and lubrication system on Bentley’s 'Silent Sports Car', with the introduction of the ‘M’-series cars in 1938. My car has chassis number B28MR and is therefore the 28th such car.

The Derby Bentley was, of course, an exclusively coachbuilt automobile. Of the 2,442 manufactured, almost 50 percent were bodied by Park Ward in a limited number of styles. This particluar example though, was bodied by H J Mulliner as one of a handfull of 'High Vision' saloons built by them; it was exhibited on their stand at the 1938 Earls Court Motor Show and is thought to be the only example with a full perspex roof over the front seats, rather than just a small strip.

My car has spent some of its life in Cape Town in South Africa and returned home to the UK in the early 2000s. It has been comprehensively restored throughout and is in near faultless condition both mechanically and aesthetically; this work is detailed in the highly comprehensive history files, showing that a small fortune has been spent to make it in the superb condition that it now boasts, including on reconditioning the original engine and gearbox. It is finished in virtually unmarked two-tone silver with grey leather upholstery.

I have owned the car for 3 years and she now has her original registration number and an all-important full-flow oil filter. We have made several long trips, including to central France and North Yorkshire and she has never missed a beat. I encourage anyone genuinely intrerested to come and view her.