1938 Bentley 4 1/4 litre Brougham de Ville by James Young

We are offering this for reluctant sale on behalf of the private owner who has no internet access. B 38 MR is one of the most exclusive of Derby Bentley's and carries exceptionally stylish coachwork almost certainly from the pen of A. F. Mc Neil arguably the most influential British coachwork designer of those halcyon inter war years.

The Brougham de Ville coachwork carried by B 38 MR was created in the premises of Mc Neils employer. James Young and represents the ultimate expression of the coachbuilders art at that time. B 38 MR would have undoubtedly come under increased scrutiny being ordered. as it was. by the owners of James Young Jack Barclays to feature on their stand at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1938. It inevitably caused a stir being supplied immediately after the show to its first private owner. the Marquess of Dufferin & Ava. herself a Guiness heir and the wife of the Marquis (who lost his life just 5 years later fighting the Japanese in Burma).

Shortly after the outbreak of war B 38 MR passed to R. R. Costain the head of the Costains construction. He was one of the few people able to use his vehicle throughout the war engaged as he was in the construction of airfields and factories for the war effort. The Bentley was registered to him at Dolphin Square. SW 1. built by Costains and considered at the time the largest self contained block of appartments in Europe. The third recorded owner was Sir Geoffery Winterbottom and after passing through several other owners hands the car was acquired. as many were. by an American collector in the 1960 s. Since its repatriation in the 1980 s B 38 MR has been owned by several noted collectors & purveyors of these fine motorcars. most notably C. A. R Howard. before coming into the possession of the vendor some 14 years ago. During his custody of the car he has endeavoured to maintain it in the condition to which it has become accustomed using it primarily for fair weather drives in the Sussex countryside surrounding his home.

Sadly his use of the car has declined and. although the car remains in fine overall condition the vendor has decided that the time has come to part with the car.

Bills

for in excess of £64. 00 over the past 14 years attest to the fact that every effort has been made to maintain the car in impeccable driving condition. Coupled with coachwork one of the most exceptional coachbuilders and a fascinating history B 38 MR remains a rare and significant representative of one of most exclusive and desirable of all Post Vintage British Thoroughbreds The Derby Bentley.

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