1936 | Bentley 4 1/2 Liter

Recently offered through Bonhams with a guide of £320,000 - £350,000 we have her on offer considerably less than that.

One of only a very few original build open tourers to this design by Vanden Plas, and probably the most original of them

The 'Derby Bentley' is widely regarded as the most sophisticated car that money could buy in the 1930's

Once Rolls-Royce had purchased Bentley Motors they set about incorporating the ethos and fine quality together with the spirit of the original Bentley models, as epitomised by the famous Bentley Boys

Hence the extreme performance available (Bentley influence) whilst occupants were cocooned in absolute silence (Rolls-Royce influence)

Hence the aptly named 'Silent Sportscar'

A technical 'tour de force' in the 1930's the new 4.25 litre was specified with a six cylinder engine, a synchromesh four-speed gearbox, servo assisted braking and adjustable rear suspension

The smooth engine had a cross flow cylinder head with twin SU carburettors, a crankshaft damper and roller cam followers

No wonder so many notable figures, celebrities and racing drivers of the day owned them

This rather 'Derby' is not only one of the very few Cambell VdP versions it also has a remarkable history

The last long term family purchased her from Autocars in Halifax in Yorkshire in May 1951 - with some lovely correspondence at the time, and even the stock list from which this special car was chosen

Always driven in their local region of Perthshire and Angus and has been a familiar sight there for over 68 years

Originally when they bought her she was Silver and after a short while (early '50's) they repainted her in Green, as this probably a better colour for a Scottish farmer

Early memories are of journeys in all weathers and seasons complete with rugs and blankets, for the hood was seldom up!

Many holidays were undertaken to the Highlands and also she was taking the boys to school in Edinburgh and back, complete with large trunk in the boot

In more recent times she has taken the family to the North and West of Scotland, visiting a few Castles and some of the smaller golf clubs, from Kintyre to the islands of the Hebrides

All maintenance has been carried out on the farm, for they are quite skills and know her rather well

For instance the Perspex side screens have been hand made, as the originals do not afford as much wind deflection - of course the originals are in the boot in a blanket to keep them safe

Only the hood bag is used (always) whilst the full tonneau and hood are all operational, although never used

During their ownership she has been treated to 3 restorations, always keeping an eye on originality as much as possible

Hence when the last works of this type were completed, although the engine was removed, as was the body, everything was put back the way it was before

These most recent works were undertaken by Milford Engineering Ltd during 2011 / 2012 where just under £50.000 was spent to ensure that mechanically she was again, as good as she could be

All bills are with the paperwork together with 2 CD's covering the works undertaken

Previously in 1993 / 1994 Classic Restorations in Alyth completed an overhaul and prior to this in 1981 / 1982 David Scott Montcrieff in Leek undertook the necessary mechanical works in the same vein, whilst in 1996 a Taylor overdrive system was fitted

All bills and photographs are here with the paperwork too

She retains her original engine, gearbox and registration numbers

One of the few, and probably the only one left in unmolested condition - far from Concours condition, she would likely win a preservation class anywhere, and with the style of body work she luckily possess, she would likely present any new owner with a free ticket to any of the Worlds Concours events