1940 Derby Bentley 4.25 Litre Park Ward overdrive MX saloon.

1940 Derby Bentley 4.25 Litre Park Ward overdrive MX saloon.

A very late production car being the 12th from last example produced before production ceased. Unusually it was registered on the extra day of a leap year in 1940. This car has been in the current ownership for the last 20 years with a titled Lord whom's ciper may be found on the drivers door. Advancing age now dictates the need to pass it on to the next custodian.

This is a largely original patinated car with a few minor battle scars from the various europen & UK trips it has been used on during the 40,000 miles enjoyed by the current owner. The front seat leather has been replaced & is now mellowing nicely. The rear seats & door cards are original.

The car was ordered new by Miss Marga Schroder of the Schroders banking dynasty. Her father the Baron Schroder drove a Hooper Phantom 1 that we also recently sold. The car was registered at her address in Englefield green according to the original buff log book that comes with the car.

The coachwork by Park Ward is finsihed in a mid blue that is not quite turquoise in colour; an unusual hue that suits the car admirably. Fittingly, we photographed the car opposite the Royal Crescent in Bath with the crescent buildings as a backdrop designed by John Wood the younger.

A simply massive history file comes with the car for both regular servicing & also assorted restoration bills much of which come from Fiennes engineering. Clearly the car has been looked after without regard to cost. An impressive list of the cars travels is in the photo gallery with the car never failing to proceed with the exception of a blown cylinder head gasket in St Moritz. This was remedied by Fiennes whom also skimmed the head as part of the fix.

This is a car that drives simply beautifully with a willing engine & super smooth overdrive gear box fitted when new. Oil pressure is good & the car runs cool on what was a hot day when I test drove it around the traffic clogged streets of bath including some step hills. It is not a concours queen, but rather a pleasantly patinated old lady in excellent running condition.

The owner Lord Cope relates the following:

This car, registered number FYF616, was built by Rolls-Royce (who then owned the Bentley Company) at their Nightingale Road works in Derby. As one of the last few cars built there before the war it has its original straight six 4¼ litre engine number TSBF, 'overdrive' top gear and Marles steering box. The car retains the original 'Sports Saloon' Park Ward body painted a distinctive light blue with red leather upholstery. It has a working, watertight when closed, sunshine roof.

On 5 July 1939 it was ordered by Miss Marga Schröder, of Dell Park, Englefield Green, Surrey (now the Fairmont Hotel, Windsor Park) from dealers Orford & Sons Ltd. of Portman Square. On 19 July 1939 it was sent to Park Ward who fitted body and in early 1940 it was licensed to Miss Schröder. World War Two was declared on 3 September 1939 and Nightingale Road went entirely over to aircraft engine production. Miss Schröder owned the car until 24 August 1955.

Since then it has had various owners, all in the UK. In 2000 it was successfully driven by the then owner Richard Waldron Brown on the London-Peking Rally. Starting from the Tower of London they went across Europe, through Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, over the Torugart Pass (3,800m) between Kyrgyzstan and China, then through the Great Wall of China to Peking. The car was prepared for the rally by Fiennes and a large number of spares were supplied to take on the trip on sale or return. Afterwards the whole lot were returned.

The car was bought in July 2002 by John, Lord Cope of Berkeley. He has driven it over 40,000 miles at home and abroad to Land's End and John O'Groats, Coruña and Berlin, including in France, Holland, Norway, Jordan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. It has been well maintained and is described as in good, but not concours, condition. It is for sale with extensive paperwork including the Bentley Drivers Club Workshop Manual.

Viewings are by appointment with myself & M'lord in Bath. A car well worth viewing & in very pleasingly useable order througout.

Call Richard Biddulph. Mobile ++44 (0) 7967 260673

Simone Della Corte Mobile ++44 (0) 7377070943

Sales & Valuations

Vintage & Prestige of Northampton Ltd.

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Showroom:

2 Ryehill Ct, Lodge Farm Industrial Estate, Northampton NN5 7UA

Viewings & Visits Strictly by appointment only please. We have on site long term storage for over 200 cars with 24 hour security & covered trailer delivery to customers anywhere in Europe.