1938 Bentley 3.5 Litre & 4 1/4 Litre

This 1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre was built at the Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, bodied as a Sports Saloon by Park Ward, and delivered new to a Mr. E.K. Marsland. It was sold to Sir Oliver Welby and another private owner before trading to a London dealer and going on to Colin Crabbe of The Complete Automobilist in the late 1960s. It was imported to the USA around 1970 by Rolls Royce Owners Club member Conrad Karras and kept until his 1988 passing. Subsequent RROC caretakers included Richard & Hettie Wolfe, Dr. Robert Brod, and Rhoger Pugh, an assistant director at the Federal Reserve who treated the car to an engine overhaul and used it for cross-country tours from 1998-2010. It been used for both local and long-distance trips over nine years with its current owner, including a drive from Virginia to Seven Springs, PA for the 2014 RROC Meet. Now consigned with the selling dealer, this “Four-and-a-Quarter” driver retains its original body and drivetrain and is sold with service records as well as a clear Virginia title. Of the 2,422 “Derby” Bentleys produced, just over 1,000 were bodied by Park Ward according to the seller. Chassis B-107-LE retains its original all-steel saloon body #C1342 and was refinished in the late 1960s according to notes from Crabbe. Only a skim coat of filler was reportedly used under the two-tone lacquer finish, which now shows its age through checking, cracking, and touch ups according to the seller. Plates bearing the original 1938 registration number ENN555 remain mounted at the front and rear. Exterior lighting is demonstrated to work in photos and includes large Lucas headlamps, a center driving lamp, a driver’s spot light, and retractable trafficators in the B-pillars. Painted wire wheels wear older blackwall tires along with chrome center nuts and weight covers. A matching spare is mounted at the rear and comes with a cover that is in need of refinishing per the seller. Headlight nacelles, Lucas horns, and the Flying B ornament are shown up close along with the pop-out windshield hinge and other brightwork. Inside, believed-original leather seating was reportedly re-dyed at the time of the repaint and is now showing its age. Carpets and headlining were refreshed more recently according to the seller. Wood paneling, controls, instruments, and switchgear are detailed in close-up photos. Just under 10k miles are currently shown on the odometer, with actual mileage believed to be 110k. A vinyl-covered panel affixed to the roof provides increased headroom for taller drivers. Under the louvered and side-hinged hood, the Rolls Royce 4,257cc straight-six #H2BG is original according to included paperwork. Induction is from dual SU carburetors, and the 12-volt electrical system feeds twin ignition coils. Engine overhaul work was performed by The Frawley Company and Sports Classics Ltd. during the Pugh ownership in 2001-2004 as shown below. The most recent service was an oil change and general inspection performed in April 2017. Described as mechanically sorted, the car was taken on three cross-country trips with Pugh, including on the Lewis & Clark Tour. It has been driven approximately 4,000 miles by the seller. The Rolls Royce 4-speed manual transmission and rear axle are also said to be original and are shown in underbody photos along with leaf-sprung solid front and rear axles and spring gaiters. The pictured exhaust was recently replaced with a correct custom-made system. Light surface corrosion is described on the undercarriage. The Bijur central chassis lubrication system remains in place according to the seller, with resulting lubricant visible on a variety of underbody components. Service records are described as extensive, particularly from the Pugh ownership, and a sampling is pictured in the gallery below along with service manuals and other literature. The car is reportedly well-known in club circles and has not been offered for sale outside of the RROC and Bentley Drivers Club since coming to the USA in 1970.