1937 Bentley 4-1/4 Liter Drop Head Coupe, Rolls Royce

Four speed with Overdrive and factory optional High Speed Rear End Gearing. This car is quick and built for performance from the factory from the day it was made. The high speed rear end gearing put in by the original owner's request was at a cost of $360 British Pounds back in 1937. A considerable amount of money at the time. I do have the factory build sheet and original copy of the Bill of Sale., including a Wisconsin Title and the original Swedish Title.

This gorgeous 4-1/4 Liter Bentley DHC, has until just recently, spent it's entire life in Europe. With Provenance dating back to its previous caretaker, the Earl of Tweeddale of Scotland. Originally purchased by the Vandervell brothers.Tony Vandervell [Guy Anthony Vandevell], of the Vanwall Racing Team and Formula One fame. Son of Charles Vandervell, founder of CAV, later Lucas CAV. Tony Vandervell, founder of Vandervell Racing Bearings still exists today. I have the factory build sheet stating that this is a matching numbers engine to the chassis. Build sheet also shows the addition of a high speed rear end differential [rear axle]. Lastly, the car's fourth gear is Overdrive.

Mechanically superb benefiting from a recent install of the superior all-aluminum deturbulated cylinder head and related internal components made by Fiennes Restoration in England [February 2016]. This fine motorcar is swift and a pleasure to drive, operating at a constant temperature of 73 degrees Celsius [163 degrees Fahrenheit]. The dash board and all the gauges have been restored and operate perfectly. Even the gas gauge and the wipers work. It's factory original color combination of ivory and black presents itself remarkably well. There are no disappointments here. I only own the finest cars there are, and this one certainly is in that category.

Chassis: B57KU Engine: Z6BM. Coach Builder: Park Ward, England. Unlike many of the Derby Bentley's on the market today which have been re-fabricated to resemble an open tourer; this car still sports and the original Park Ward aluminum coachwork. Being completely aluminum, obviously this car is rust-free, and amazingly lightweight with a low profile and rakish design enabling it to take corners like no other car from the period.

In the last 2 months, the following was performed: Brand new black leather interior [4 whole hides of the finest, softest leather you can buy]; brand new Hartz Cloth convertible top and matching boot; brand new black ultra high quality carpet [$100/yd]; and four newly painted black fenders. This car is now show-field-ready. It shifts like butter and starts on the first push of the starter button, no matter how long it's been sitting and no matter the temperature outside.

In 2016, the following has been performed: $48,000 total

-New re-plated radiator shell and core replacement. As well as all correct hoses and clamps throughout. Calostat which controls the radiator shutters was also replaced with new.

-Repainted the air cleaner and replaced all the related fittings. Replaced the spark plugs, rotor, points and distributor cap and changed out all the fluids.

-Installed a new correct, more efficient deturbulated aluminum cylinder head and all accompanying internal parts. This car runs like a Swiss watch. There are about 350 miles on the new cylinder head. I have taken two trips in this car on the freeway at high speeds both over 100 miles at a time. The water temp gauge never got above 80 degrees celcius. I normally idle at about 1000 rpm's, but it run all day long at 400 rpm's and never falter.

-Brand new chrome wheels hex caps (5) and chrome wheel weight covers(15) and repainted the spare tire cover and running boards. The entire car was then professionally buffed to a high gloss.

-The radiator core replaced and the radiator shroud re-plated. All the hoses, clamps, oil filters [there are two], fan belt, exhaust manifold, distributor cap, points, and spark plugs were replaced with new from England.

-Replaced the oil pump and the water pump with the correct rebuilt original factory parts. The oil pump is the high performance version.

-Undercarriage was professionally cleaned and then highly detailed.

-Replaced the light bulbs throughout, and yes the spotlight works. Tail lights are LED for safety.

In 1937, Bentley was owned by Rolls-Royce, and made at the Rolls plant in Derby England. They are referred to as Derby Bentley's. These cars were available in two engines sizes: 3-1/2 Liter and 4-1/4 Liter. This car is the more desirable 4-1/4 Liter, allowing high performance levels of speed. Yes it is fast!

Car comes with four manuals: 3” thick new Technical Repair and Assembly Manual, new Small Power Engines including the 4-1/4 Liter Bentley's by Rolls Royce, original factory Bentley Owner's Manual for 1937, and original factory Bentley Handbook. The rear luggage rack is also included with the directional and switch already mounted on the dash [which do work].

Note: Trying to photograph an ivory car is difficult. The photos all make the car appear white. However, I assure you it is Ivory; its original factory ivory which is a gorgeous 'correct' Bentley color. One of the reasons I purchased this car was because is in looking at some of the other Derby Bentley's out there for sale painted in the most horrible color combos I ever seen, like bright yellow and two-tone light blue; I wanted a period correct attractive car that I didn't have to re-paint. Being mechanically sound made my decision easy.

In September of 2016, the Bentley was invited to participate in the Ephraim Hill Climb & Rally in Door County Wisconsin. An invitation only event along side some of the finest car out there. I ran the course three times with flawless operation and surprising performance. The car took the People's Choice Award at the Sunday Concours. If you're looking for a mechanically dependable freshly sorted Rally or Tour car, this is it!

This is truly an outstanding motorcar that needs nothing. Tom Griffith 608-212-8774 Madison, Wisconsin. I have excellent domestic and international shippers.