4,257 cc OHV inline six-cylinder engine, single-dry-plate clutch and four-speed manual transmission, forged front beam axle with half-elliptic leaf springs front and rear. Hydraulic Rolls-Royce dampers, rod-operated drum brakes. Wheelbase: 126"

- Delivered new to Sir John Jarvis Bt. M.P.

- Known history from new, ex-Nethercutt Collection

- Featured in several books on the marque

- Handsome Derby Bentley with unique Hooper coachwork

Bentley’s 4¼ Litre engine became available in the company’s motor cars in March 1936 as a replacement for the former 3½ Litre model. Production continued through about May 1939, when the last model was completed. Chassis B190LS was one of the last cars to be delivered before the war and, according to the factory chassis card details, was supplied to Sir John Jarvis Bt. M.P. The member for Guildford, Jarvis was highly regarded for his philanthropic efforts for the town of Jarrow, badly affected in the Depression years. The car was delivered to the Jarvis family seat, the famous Hascombe Court in Surrey that has more recently been owned by television and radio personality Chris Evans and then by Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky.

Originally registered with the distinctive number EXP1 and described as a “special sports tourer,” it was specified complete with Bosch wireless set. The car carries rare Hooper coachwork with a fully disappearing hood that, when erected and combined with wind-up windows, offers “all-weather” protection. Factory records note Sir John’s death late in 1950, and the following January the car was purchased by Harold Webb of Rickmansworth who kept it until 1963 when it was sold to the Duchesne family of Wimborne, Dorset.

It was then sold to Leonard Potter of Newbury, a well-known competition motoring personality and connoisseur of fine cars, who kept it for three years. Whilst in Potter’s custody he would undertake a complete restoration. His report in the history file states that amongst other things, the engine was rebuilt by Daniel Richmond of Downton Engineering including new pistons, liners, crankshaft, timing gear and bearings, plus the fitment of Bensport manifolds and Continental carburettors and exhaust to complement an increase in compression ratio. This resulted in what he described as greatly increased performance without loss of reliability. Downton also undertook the rebuild of the gearbox, brakes and suspension, and Potter noted that the car had superlative road performance and would exceed 100 mph with exceptional fuel economy of over 20 miles per gallon. It has all the typical advanced features of servo brakes, centralised chassis lubrication, ride control and many others.

Potter then sold the car in October 1966 to Jack Nethercutt of the famous Nethercutt Collection – one of the finest motor car collections in the world. The car remained in the Nethercutt Collection in San Sylmar, California for five decades. This is certainly a significant factor in the car’s survival in such fine condition, as it has benefited from regular expert maintenance and limited usage in the sunny, dry climate of Southern California.

The car has the distinction of being featured in many books on the marque, including Johnnie Green’s 50 Years of the Marque and Bentley – The Silent Sportscar by Ellman-Brown. It is a delight to drive, having only covered limited mileage in the past 40 years after being rebuilt, and is accompanied by a file of documentation as well as additional paperwork. This is an important and stylish pre-war Bentley with great provenance and significant, interesting history, finished in its attractive original livery of Royal Blue bodywork with black wings.