19th November 2015 5:00pm EST
RARE AND ORIGINAL W.O. BENTLEY MODEL
TThe Bentley 4 Liter was introduced on May 15, 1931 to compete with the successful Rolls-Royce 20/25 models. Equipped with a Ricardo-designed 120 hp six-cylinder engine and a four-speed transmission in what was basically a shortened and modified 8 Liter chassis, the 4 Liter provided many W.O. Bentley virtues in an altogether lighter and more economical package than the big 6 1/2 and 8 Liter cars. Only 50 of this pretty model were made, as Bentley was put into liquidation a few months after its introduction. Only 12 are believed to exist today, as quite a few 4 Liter chassis have been converted to 6 1/2 or 8 Liter specification and fitted with replica Le Mans bodies. Fitted with its charming and original Vanden Plas convertible body, VF4019 presents a very rare opportunity for the informed W.O. Bentley connoisseur to complete his collection with what is very likely the best of the very few remaining 4 Liter cars.
- 1931chassis VF4019 constructed and fitted with Vanden Plas body no. 1741
- 1931used as a Bentley demonstrator and tested by the contemporary British magazine, The Autocar
- 1931remained in stock with Bentley until the company went into receivership in late 1931
- 1932Sold on January 4, of that year, by London dealer, Jack Olding, to cigar factory heir, P.A.G. Phillips of Tunbridge Wells
- 1960Purchased from the estate of P.A.G. Phillips by Peter Balean of Derby in June, 1960
- 1989Purchased from Peter Balean by Ronald Gray, of Germany and Florida
- 2004Purchased by its current owner in USA
Walter Owen Bentley established Bentley Motors in 1919, in the North London suburb of Cricklewood, although deliveries did not begin until 1921. The company’s first model was a 3-litre car powered by a four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft engine with four valves per cylinder. The greatly refined six-cylinder, 6½-Litre model of 1926 was constructed along the same lines, and in 1927 the 3-Litre was succeeded by the 4½-Litre model. In 1930, the gargantuan 8-Litre model was introduced, of which 100 were made. The need for these larger chassis was due to Bentley customers often specifying large bodies, which the 3-Litre had some difficulty propelling with sufficient authority. The downside was that Bentley chassis became very expensive. As the depression deepened, a less-expensive model was needed, resulting in the development of the 134-inch-wheelbase, 4-Litre chassis, fitted with a 120 hp, 238.9 CID, inline six-cylinder engine with dual SU HVG 5 carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, semi-elliptical front and rear suspension with friction shock absorbers, and four-wheel drum brakes with cable-operated rear drums.
VF4019 is one of only two Bentley 4-Litre chassis originally fitted with the alluring Vanden Plas tourer body. It is virtually identical to the larger Vanden Plas body fitted to Woolf Barnato’s personal 8-Liter Bentley, and has scaled down beautifully on the smaller chassis, retaining its exquisite proportions. In 1932, the car was registered in London as GP 5193 by its first owner, P.A.G. Phillips, although like many other cars in Great Britain it was not registered during the War. It is known that Phillips loaned the car to his RAF squadron leader Peter Balean in 1941, who became so smitten with the car that he maintained a friendship with Phillips until he was able to acquire the car 19 years later, in 1960. Since then, VF4019 has had only two more dedicated owners, for a grand total of four custodians in 84 years.
VF4019 has never been restored and remains in exceptional, original condition. It is numbers-matching, the chassis, body, engine, and other mechanical components having been together since day one. The only major component to have been exchanged is the gearbox, and that work was performed by the factory in the year of manufacture. It is possible that the car may still carry its original coat of paint. The interior, including carpets and upholstery, is original, as is the fitted luggage that comes with the car. In addition, VF4019 is offered with a tool roll and a large history file. In addition, under-hood finishes appear original and correct.
- When the car was tested by The Autocar in 1931, a bearing in the gearbox failed, and a replacement gearbox with number 8151 was fitted. This gearbox is still in the car.
- The research of Clare Hay in surviving Bentley chassis records shows that the car was regularly maintained through 1938, with a new 4.16:1 rear axle installed in September, 1933.
- In June, 1960 when Peter Balean acquired the car, it had been regularly maintained by a chauffeur.
- The engine was rebuilt around 1960 with a balanced crankshaft and oversized pistons
- Full service was performed by noted restorer and preservationist Steve Babinsky about seven years ago.
- VF4019 was shown at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and was freshened prior to its appearance there.
When Clare Hay inspected VF4019 in 2014, she was quoted as having commented: “In general terms, I would say that this is about the most original and correct vintage Bentley that I’ve ever seen.” Some years ago, it was the norm to perform full restorations on cars with slightly-dulled paint and brightwork and a worn interior. Simply because it was faster and cheaper, interiors and body panels were discarded and replaced, with no thought for their inherent historical value. As a result, a number of highly-original automobiles were stripped of their patina and character, to become just another shiny restored car. Inevitably, the number of true, documented originals with no stories has dwindled.
Today, there has been a massive shift in values, and originality and authenticity are valued above all else. As Peter Balean noted about VF4019 in a 1963 Sporting Motorist article quoted by Clare Hay: “Brakes and cornering are well up to modern standards….The bodywork has no irritating rattles, the doors close beautifully, and the Tecalemit chassis lubrication is a joy. With 120 bhp, it is a really delightful car to drive.” The opportunity to purchase VF4019 is the very rarest of opportunities. Not only is VF4019 an extremely rare survivor of a very rare model, it is also a genuine and documented time-warp car, steeped in history. With its lovely patina, it remains correct and original in the tiniest detail. In modern parlance, VF4019 simply pushes all the buttons.
(Editor’s note: this description is based on factual research previously conducted by Clare Hay)