1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre

1939 Derby Bentley Overdrive MX series Drop Head Coupe by Vanden Plas.

Chassis number: B105MX

Registration number: WXW40

The best of the best: This ultra desirable Overdrive Derby Bentley was in the long term ownership of Peter Blond, a well known Sothebys director who headed the auction houses car department. During his tenure he undertook a painstaking nut & bolt restoration of the car, copious details of which follow in the photographic gallery.

Sir Arthur Cory-Wright was the first fortunate owner of this two door Drophead; one of nine similar bodies erected by Vanden Plas. Widely admired by discerning clientele Vanden Plas earned a reputation as foremost coachbuilder of their day. B105MX was delivered to the Baronet on 16th June 1939.

During restoration the original ash frame was replaced where necessary, the pillars to the doors strengthened, electics fully rewired & a new cylinder head fitted. The car retains its original marles steering box which was sstanadard equipent on all overdrive models & is a revelation to drive when compared to the earlier cars.

The car is finished in an elegant colour scheme of smoke green over black & upholstered in red leather. The immaculate interior is defined by highly figured burr walnut to the dash board & door cappings. The hood folds away almost flat into its rear recess & has a red leather hood bag to cover it over when furled. The spare is rear mounted & the car fitted with Town & country horns & correct driving lights.

Unusually the radiator shell is painted black as when new which combined with the absence of running boards are the cars distinguishing features. The black mid waist line runs into the black radiator completing the design beautifully. The original handbook pleasingly comes with the car along with a massive file of bills & correspondence detailing the hundreds of thousands of pounds that have been spent upon the car.

The car needless to say is in perfect running condition with a silent engine & driving exactly as one might expect. Being right at the end of the production run, this overdrive car represents the Pinnacle of Derby Bentleys & sports some of the most desirable original coachwork available.