Bentley 4 1/4-Litre Roadster 1937, Inglaterra

Bentley 4 1/4-Litre Roadster 1937, Inglaterra

Fotografia

Few automobiles better embody the ideal of the sporting British grand tourer than the Derby Bentley. The 4 ¼ Litre paired refined six-cylinder performance with a robust chassis capable of accommodating a wide variety of bespoke coachwork, encouraging close collaboration between Bentley and many of Britain’s premier coachbuilders. Bentley and Vanden Plas enjoyed a close working relationship that spanned both the Vintage years and the Derby eras. The Bentley 4 ¼ Litre Roadster is wonderful evidence of this: a rakish example of the “silent sportscar” with near perfect proportions, a low-profile windshield, and a discreet rumble seat. A mere trio of Bentleys were equipped in this fashion, and B42KT was the last to be constructed.

This Roadster was sold through Jack Barclay to Mr. S.B. White of Camberwell in London, and registered for the road with the distinctive plate “DYN 4” in July 1937. Within a year, at 10,000 miles, the car was offered for resale by Jack Barclay, described as: “A special two-seater Roadster [...] The car is beautifully equipped and has very attractive lines.” Its second owner was the prominent British artist Edward Le Bas, who kept the car through the war years. Subsequent UK owners were A. Dormer in 1947, Brooklands of Bond Street in May 1949 – being sold again via Barclays with 34,000 miles – and H.M. Moffat in August 1950.

By 1966, the Bentley had arrived in the US. Advertised in the Flying Lady publication for $12,500, the buyer was reportedly David Thornton of Los Angeles. Noted West Coast collector Barry Hon acquired the Bentley in 1972. During an initial refurbishing, the car’s performance and driveability were enhanced by the fitting of a later MX-Series engine (no. S8BG, ex-B153MX) and that model’s preferred Marles steering box. In the late 1990s, Mr. Hon commissioned a more extensive refurbishment, carried out by Chris Kidd of Tired Iron Works in Monrovia, California.

Mr. Hon was so impressed with the result that it was promptly shipped to the UK to compete in the high-profile British Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Rally and Concours d’Elegance in 2002, where it garnered a Second in Class award. The following year, it was shown at Pebble Beach, where it was honored with a First in Class. A decade later, on a return outing at Pebble, it was again lauded with a Third in Class. In between, the Roadster was shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2004. Through a lifetime of car collecting, and having owned and dispersed a stable that included many significant Brass and Classic Era automobiles, it was the Bentley that remained the most cherished to Mr. Hon.

One of the most accessible, easy to drive, and well-supported models of all prewar cars, a Derby Bentley represents terrific value today. With its stunning looks, and the work and maintenance lavished on this particular car, this Roadster presents an opportunity not to be missed. Texto da Gooding Christie's.

Nota do blog: Data 2026 / Crédito para Gooding Christie's.