By the time this lovely 1938 Bentley "Four-and-a-Quarter" Litre saloon was built, the jokes about W.O. Bentley building the "world's fastest lorries" were well and truly done. The 4-1/4 was thoroughly modern and designed to cross Europe at high speeds in total comfort and safety. It was innovative the way Bentley always was, with what Rolls-Royce engineers called a "side-mounted" camshaft, dual carburetors, redundant ignition and fuel systems, and robust 12-volt electricals. If you failed to arrive at your destination in a Bentley, it certainly wasn't the car's fault.
The marriage to Rolls-Royce brought refinement as well as access to the finest coachbuilders in the world. This particular 4-door saloon was a catalog model with a body by Park Ward, long a Rolls-Royce partner in the finest tradition. Sweeping fenders, a hood that appears to be as long as a city block, and a handsome bustle-back trunk with rear-mounted spare make the car look as if it's in motion, pushing forwards against the wind. This car received a comprehensive frame-off restoration that included a bare-metal respray in the 1990s, and the complementary two-tone beige and cream coachwork highlights the subtle elegance of the design. Among its many wonderful features are a sliding sunroof, massive Bentley headlights and a traditional chrome grille with Flying B hood ornament, and retractable trafficators in the B-pillars, pre-dating Buick's adoption of turn signals in the US in 1939. Streamlining is happily merged with old-world formality, giving the Bentley a sleek look that's appealing from any angle and thanks to quality work during the restoration, none of the old-world craftsmanship is lost. All four doors close with a reassuringly solid THUNK, the hood swings on well-oiled hinges, and the car feels robust as it goes down the road. All the chrome trim, and there's a surprising amount of it, was refinished to show standards and still looks fantastic today. Yes, the car has been extensively driven and toured, but that's the point of owning a Bentley and I'll wager that if you contact most owners of the Bentley Driver's Club, they'll say that a little bit of road wear is a badge of honor, not a demerit.
This Bentley carries serial number B75LE and has a mostly known history. Documentation includes extensive historical information including original sales information, service records, and information cards, all put together in a bound volume. The car's history following the war is not known, but it surfaced in New Jersey in the late 1950s, eventually passing through the hands of noted Rolls-Royce collector Joe Loecy. It ultimately landed in the most recent owner's hands where it underwent a full restoration, which is documented with photographs and receipts. Since completion, the car has been a frequent participant in club events and long-distance tours and appeared as the cover car for the Derby Bentley Society's publication "On the Road."
This is a fantastic opportunity to own a sorted, ready to enjoy
