Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. After a period of reflection and prevarication, Rolls-Royce decided that a sportier version of its 20/ 25 model could establish a niche for itself in the marketplace as a luxury sports tourer. Having explored various options, it was decided to power the new sporting Bentley with a more highly tuned version of the 20/ 25 unit - a six-cylinder, pushrod engine fitted with twin S/ U carburettors, increased compression, improved con rods and modified cam profiles, with a capacity of 3669cc. Built at Derby alongside Rolls-Royce and launched in September as, unsurprisingly, ‘the 3½-Litre’, the new model possessed excellent handling characteristics and could achieve a top speed of 97mph when fitted with lightweight bodywork.
Polite muttering amongst Bentley aficionados that the 3½-litre was, perhaps, a little underpowered was addressed in 1936 when Rolls-Royce introduced the enlarged capacity 4255cc engine, with the new car, naturally, being entitled ‘the 4¼ Litre’.
Over the years, Derby cars were fitted with a wide range of body styles by a number of established coachbuilders, clearly illustrated in 2023 when 60 Derby Bentleys returned to Crewe to celebrate the 90th Anniversary and between the cars, there were 40 coachwork styles showcasing the bespoke bodywork for the model in the 1930s. Included within those coachbuilding companies was London-based Vanden Plas who had forged its not inconsiderable reputation by a most fortuitous alliance with Bentley, bodying some 700-or-so of the latter's chassis during the 1920s, including the Le Mans team cars.
With its 4¼-Litre engine and versatile Drophead Coupé body by Vanden Plas, 'B199LE' is a particularly fine example of a late Derby Bentley.
Full details and professional images to follow.
