1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre MX Overdrive Convertible (Vanvooren coachwork)
Bentley 4¼-Litre chassis B197MX is a rare overdrive 'MX' model bodied by Parisian coachbuilder Vanvooren as a four-seat convertible, completed in early 1940 and delivered to Belgium. Originally ordered by Baron Robert Gendebien, it passed to his son Olivier — four-time Le Mans winner for Scuderia Ferrari — who used it throughout his racing career and kept it until his death in 1998. Following a comprehensive restoration by Clark & Carter Restorations, the car took a first-in-class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2019.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €359,375 (≈ $395K)
- 1940 →Factory deliveryBaron Robert Gendebienpartial documentation
Ordered via Brussels dealer André Pisart; chassis dispatched to Parisian coachbuilder Vanvooren for a four-seat convertible body, delivered to Belgium in early 1940. The car had to be concealed at the family estate during wartime occupation after only a few months of use.
- → 1998InheritanceOlivier Gendebienpartial documentation
Inherited from his father Robert after the war; used the Bentley regularly during his racing career for cross-continental travel to circuits. After retiring from motorsport at age 38, continued using it for journeys to his residence in Provence until his death in 1998.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownThe Curated Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired the car following Olivier Gendebien's 1998 passing and subsequently commissioned a full restoration by Clark & Carter Restorations, completed in 2019.
Competition
- 2019Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in class
Exhibited shortly after completion of the Clark & Carter restoration; also participated in the drive to Big Sur without incident.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1939BodyworkVanvooren
Chassis delivered to Vanvooren in Paris to be fitted with a bespoke four-seat convertible coachwork body, work completed by January 1940.
Body was tested at Park Ward before the completed car was despatched to Belgium.
- 2019RestorationClark & Carter Restorations
Comprehensive restoration carried out by Clark & Carter Restorations, returning the car to an exceptionally high standard in time for the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours.
Commissioned by The Curated Collection; restoration quality was sufficient to win a first-in-class award at Pebble Beach.
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