1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports Coupé "Honeymoon Express" (Park Ward coachwork)
- Engine
- 4.3L OHV inline-six, two SU carburetors, 126 bhp
Chassis B30MR is a one-off two-seater fastback sports coupé bodied by Park Ward on the 4¼-litre 'MR' chassis, displayed as the coachbuilder's centrepiece at the 1938 Earls Court Motor Show. Nicknamed 'Honeymoon Express' by the period press for its power-operated rear-window blind and generous luggage accommodation, it was conceived as a British rival to the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahn Kurier. Its history spans wartime camouflage use, decades of American ownership, a multi-year concours restoration by Alpine Eagle, and subsequent class victories at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €672,000 (≈ $739K)
- —Auction saleSold US$770,000
- 1938 →Acquisition unknownPark Ward chairmanpartial documentation
Following the Earls Court Motor Show, the head of Park Ward became personally attached to the car and retained it for his own use.
- → 2002Private saleMaurice Richmondpartial documentation
Believed to have acquired the car while serving with the US military in England; shipped it to Los Angeles in mid-1967 and kept it for approximately 35 years.
- 2002 →Acquisition unknownUK-based owner post-Richmondpartial documentation
After the car returned to Britain, a full concours-level restoration was commissioned from Alpine Eagle, completed over roughly five years ending in 2011.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownR.A. Robertsonpartial documentation
London-based Rolls-Royce dealer who had the car painted in camouflage during the wartime period, apparently to reduce its visibility to enemy aircraft.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent North American ownerpartial documentation
Had RM Auto Restoration carry out further preparation including fabrication of a period-correct power-operated rear window blind; entered the car in two North American concours events.
Competition
- 1967Bentley Drivers Club Bentley Pageant
Maurice Richmond drove the car to this gathering at Goodwood prior to shipping it to the United States.
- 20112011 RREC RallyClass winner; Peter Blond Award recipient
First major showing following the Alpine Eagle concours restoration.
- 20122012 Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima RunCoachbuilders Golden Age prize
Car was invited to participate and took top honours in the coachbuilt golden-age category.
- 20152015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance3rd in class
First North American concours appearance for the car under its current ownership.
- 2016Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance1st in class
Second and most recent North American concours outing, described as having taken place in March of the catalogue year.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1939ModificationPark Ward
A power-operated roller blind was fitted to cover the rear window, a feature highlighted as a distinctive and novel touch on this show car.
This is referenced as the original installation, later replicated in the RM Auto Restoration work.
- 2011MaintenanceRM Auto Restoration
Additional preparation and minor cosmetic rectification undertaken ahead of and following the Alpine Eagle restoration, including interior and exterior detailing.
Most significant element was the design and fabrication of a correct-style power-operated rear-window blind, with 60 hours invested in that component alone, restoring the car to its original 'Honeymoon Express' specification.
- —Bodywork
Exterior repainted in camouflage livery during the war years while in the custody of London dealer R.A. Robertson.
Carried out as a precaution against aerial bombardment during the Second World War.
- —RestorationAlpine Eagle
Comprehensive concours-standard restoration carried out over approximately five years, returning the car to showroom condition.
Documented by a collection of receipts; completed prior to the 2011 RREC Rally appearance.
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