1938 Bentley 4 ¼ Litre Overdrive Sedanca De Ville
This 1938 4¼ Litre Bentley features a supremely elegant Sedanca Coupe design, the work of renowned stylist A.F. McNeil, that Coachbuilder James Young fitted to just three Derby Bentley ‘Overdrive’ Series chassis (B72MR, B86MR and B97MX). The first of the trio was chassis B72MR.
Currently indicating just over 97,000 miles on its odometer the car is understood to have covered circa 13,000 miles since its last major overhaul. The 4.25 litre straight-six engine runs incredibly smoothly and pulls strongly, befitting the moniker “The Silent Sports Car.”
The car has a well-documented service and refurbishment history which includes evidence of the aforementioned engine overhaul in 1984 carried out by G. Ashley Carter of Dorchester, plus a heater, wiring and dynamo refurbishment by renowned Derby Bentley Specialists Blackmore Engineering in 1997. This was soon followed by the fitment of indicators, re-hanging of the doors and an exhaustive cosmetic detailing by James. E. Pearce Specialist Coachbuilders. The Sedanca roof above the front occupants still folds away neatly and the doors also continue to open and close easily but also sit well within their apertures.
Recent works carried out on behalf of the current owner include the fitment of a new clutch, new oil pump and service / rebuild of carburettors.
The car is finished in lovely Masons Black paint in fine order throughout. The interior is Beige Connolly hide with matching Beige carpets, all again in wonderful condition. The last word in elegance; this car will fit well in any collection & will give great pleasure when driven.
This stunning car was supplied new to a George Sinclair Brodrick Esq. – grandson of American railway magnate, Jay Gould, who was deemed the world’s richest man in his lifetime. The car has been the subject of much restoration work during the 1990s and resident in a European collection before being recently repatriated, at which point the cars original registration of FGW 390 was also reissued.
For opportunities to view this remarkable Bentley, which are to be arranged on a strict by-appointment-only basis, please contact R.A.Classics.
