Vehicle Description
March of 1936 saw the introduction of Bentley's latest model, aimed
at providing buyers an unparalleled experience of virtually silent,
high-speed motoring. The 3 � liter "Derby" of 1933 had already
proven to be strong seller, remaining in production when the 4 �
liter joined it three years later. The 4 � in essence shared a
chassis, gearbox and rear axle with its smaller-engine sibling but
provided improved performance, a broader torque band and
exceptionally silent operation at virtually any speed. For just �50
more than the 3 �, the 4 � was an obvious choice for buyers and it
soon fully replaced the smaller car. As with before, Bentley
supplied only a rolling chassis while a myriad of bodies was
offered by any number of British coachbuilders. Many cars were
built with "standard catalog" bodies by the likes of Freestone &
Webb, Park Ward, Mulliner, and Gurney-Nutting. Of course, many
special bodies were also built to order and, depending on the
tastes and loyalties of the clientele, ranged from conservative
saloons to flamboyant streamlined cabriolets. Between March of 1936
and May of 1939, 1,241 examples were produced at the Derby works
over two series, and thanks to the vast array of coachbuilders that
supplied bodies, a great deal of variety remains among surviving
cars. Prior to the outbreak of WWII, the MkV was set to replace the
4 � (of which just 17 were built) and the post-war MkVI ultimately
became the next true "production" Bentley. Chassis B118HK is an
early 4 �-liter; produced in 1936 and completed in time to be
exhibited on the Gurney-Nutting stand at the Olympia Motor Show in
October. The streamlined "Airflow" saloon body was penned by
Gurney-Nutting's enormously talented chief designer, A.F. McNeil,
and is one of just two such cars built to this design. Originally
finished in "steel dust" over grey leather upholstery, B118HK's
presence at Olympia has been confirmed by noted Bentley historian
Michael Ellman-Brown and it can be seen in its original
specification on page 206 of Johnnie Green's book Bentley: Fifty
Years of the Marque. The streamlined design is beautifully
balanced, avoiding the sometimes awkward or unnaturally flamboyant
lines that can afflict similar designs. It is conservative yet
still immensely stylish, with every angle proving well resolved and
finely detailed. Today, B118HK wears a set of rear wheel spats,
which were not originally fitted on this car, but were inspired by
the ones fitted to its sister car. It retains wheel discs and a
single side-mount spare wheel as per original specification.
Following the Olympia Motor Show, B118HK was delivered to its first
owner, Major C. Watson Smythe of Cornwall, via The Car Mart, Ltd of
London, in March of 1937. In 1940 it was passed to C.J. Oppenheim,
and then to V. Motion of London, himself a squadron leader in the
Royal Air Force. Copies of the DVLA records document subsequent
British owners through the early 1960s. It then passed through the
famed London dealers Frank Dale & Stepsons to Art Mullaly of Carmel
California who would keep the car for a further 14 years. In the
late 1980s it was restored to the specification you see today, and
exhibited by then-owner Malcolm Schneer at a variety of events
including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1995 and the RROC
National Meet of the same year. It presents in fine condition
today, still wearing its first and only restoration. The red
paintwork is in good order, showing some patina in places but
remaining pleasing and overall very attractive. It still displays
its original British registration number, DXN 401 and remains very
correct with only the rear spats being a later addition to the
stunning body. The chrome is in good order, and it wears fabulous
Lucas headlamps and central spot lamp. Body fitment is good, and
panels are straight and sound. The body features an array of
interesting details, including a sunroof, multi-panel boot, a
distinct lack of a rear bumper and a split rear window. The cabin
is trimmed in tan leather piped in red, with tan carpets all
presenting in good order. The restoration has held up well, with
some signs of use while remaining pleasant and inviting. More fine
details abound, such as a recessed headliner to accommodate taller
passengers in the streamlined roofline, a lovely restored dash
panel and even a driver-operated rear privacy shade. Like the
exterior, the restoration has held up well and still presents in
respectable order remaining very suitable for a car that could be
toured regularly or shown at a local level. The engine (K2BY) and
drivetrain are in fine fettle, with an honest and tidy
presentation. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual gearbox
with Bentley's right-hand floor shift, a delightfully tactile and
mechanically positive device that is a signature joy of driving a
Bentley of his era. Usable and even showable as is, the historical
significance and beautiful coachwork also make B118HK an excellent
choice for tours, as these 4 � liter cars offer outstanding
performance for the era.� Whichever path is chosen, it is sure that
this gorgeous and important streamlined Bentley will continue to be
the show stopper it always has been.