Dad's 30s Bentley

Author
Discussion

OverSteery

Original Poster:

3,647 posts

236 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
quotequote all
At the age of 89, Dad finally and much to my surprise produced photos of his mythical first car. I have heard about it all my life, but never acutally seen a picture.

A 1937 Bentley 4 1/4.

He tells me the starter motor frequently needed a clout with a hammer to start, but a replacement was the same price he had paid the car, so never happened.
Mum couldn't reach the pedals - so marriage forced sale.

Interestingly enough it seem to have been sold in Wisconsin a few year ago.
https://bringatrailer.com/2017/01/23/deturbulated-...

I note the seller was clearly wrong in thinking the body is original.








arrgghhh - just spotted the typo in the thread title - how do I fix that?

Lockhouse

275 posts

204 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
quotequote all
Your link is to a drophead - it doesn't appear to be the same car.

Do you have the chassis number? I can't find it on the reg no.

Failing that the RREC (Rolls Royce Owner's Club) have lots of details of the Derby Bentleys and may be able to help.

Edited by Lockhouse on Tuesday 24th January 17:13

Olivergt

1,529 posts

86 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
quotequote all
Lockhouse said:
Your link is to a drophead - it doesn't appear to be the same car.

Do you have the chassis number? I can't find it on the reg no.
It's in the link - B57KU

Also one of the comments in the link shows the Bentley records for this car, showing it was delivered as a saloon as per the pictures above.

P.S. What a beautiful motor car.

OverSteery

Original Poster:

3,647 posts

236 months

Tuesday 24th January 2023
quotequote all
It is the same car?

The reg is clear(ish) on the photo as EGH911. Dad has always said was originally sold to a Mr Vandervell (of the bearing company).

one of the posters on the website says:
Interesting- Stanley Sedgwick’s (generally accurate) All the Pre-War Bentleys- As New lists this vehicle as:

Chassis No. B 57 KU
Engine No. Z 6 BM
Reg. No. EGH911
Delivered 10/37
Body Saloon
Coachbuilder Park Ward
First Owner Guy Vandervell (English industrialist, motor racing financier and founder of the Vanwall Formula One racing team).

So the reg, owner and "body saloon" all match.

If it's the same car it's clearly been re-bodied, but that isn't unlikely? Dad says it was scruffy when he sold it (late 50s). He's surprised it's still going.

Jonmx

2,603 posts

218 months

Wednesday 25th January 2023
quotequote all
Well your dad clearly wins the best first car prize. How old was he when he took ownership?