1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé by H.J. Mulliner
- Engine
- 4.25L inline engine (enlarged from the preceding 3.5L unit)
- Colour
- Deep maroon over beige leather
Chassis B95LE is a 1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé bodied by H.J. Mulliner in one of only an estimated 16 examples of their concealed drophead design, notable for its scalloped waist, rear spats, and covered spare wheel. Completed in mid-1939, the car carries a genuine royal connection: it formed part of the 1981 procession to St Paul's Cathedral for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. A substantial restoration by P&A Wood between 2012 and 2015 returned it to its original Deep Maroon factory colour.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £126,500 (≈ $158K)
- 1939 →Factory deliveryN A Bronstenfull documentation
First registered owner, based at Cannon Street in London. Shortly after taking delivery, commissioned Jack Barclay to repaint the car black at a personal cost capped at £15.
- 1940-07-01 →Acquisition unknownC Wadepartial documentation
Resident in Middlesex.
- 1945-07-01 →Private saleLew Davispartial documentation
Based at Charing Cross. Ownership tenure was brief, as a new keeper was recorded only two months later.
- 1945-09-01 →Acquisition unknownEric Masseypartial documentation
Resident in Beckley, East Sussex.
- 1951 →Acquisition unknownL Skrinepartial documentation
Based in Essex.
- 1979 → 1982Private saleJames Fackpartial documentation
Son of the Dutch ambassador to the Court of St James; acquired the car from Dunmow-based specialists P&A Wood. Used the Bentley to convey his parents in the procession to St Paul's Cathedral for the 1981 royal wedding.
- 1982 → 1991-06-01Acquisition unknownNicolas Whitakerpartial documentation
London-based owner.
- 1991 → 2012Private saleGordon Willeypartial documentation
Based in Ormskirk, West Lancashire. During his ownership, a major restoration was commissioned with P&A Wood between December 2012 and August 2015 at a cost approaching £55,000.
- 2015-12-01 →Private saleThe Best of British Collectionfull documentation
Acquired the car shortly after completion of the extensive mechanical and cosmetic overhaul, with the exterior restored to the original factory deep maroon colour.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1939BodyworkJack Barclay
Exterior repainted from original colour to black at the request of first owner Bronsten, carried out by Jack Barclay at a specified maximum cost of £15.
- 2012RestorationP&A Wood
Comprehensive programme of work costing just under £55,000, covering paintwork rectification, repair of the folding roof mechanism, full mechanical renovation including engine and transmission servicing, and complete rebuilding of the braking and suspension systems. The exterior was returned to its original factory colour. Invoices retained on file.
Work spanned from December 2012 to August 2015.
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