Offered from the Peter Blond Collection, 1936 Olympia Vanden Plas Stand Show Car
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre All Weather Sports Tourer
Coachwork by Vanden Plas
Registration no. DLD 273
Chassis no. B3HM
Engine no. W7BM

'DLD' as the car was affectionately known as to Peter has an illustrious history entwined with the brand and its coachbuilder from day one, as it was originally built for display at the Olympia Show. The period image of the car shows it resplendent on the Vanden Plas stand. As ever, a show car would be a showcase for the marque and coachbuilder and 'DLD' was no exception, carrying features such as bonnet louvres extended to the scuttle, P100 headlamps and a special petrol tank. At the show it can be seen wearing the plate '4255CC', obviously signifying the engine capacity for the new Derby Bentley model, it would be registered for the road as 'DLD' a month later in November 1936.

On file courtesy of the RREC is a copy of the sales particulars for Jack Barclay Ltd. who likely retailed the car shortly after this. They describe the car thus: "An attractive four dour four-light All Weather by Messrs. Vanden Plas. Separate adjustable bucket front seats, folding centre arm rest to rear seat squab. Front screen to open, Sun visors, Hunts direction indicators. Dual windscreen wipers with remote motor. Cubby hole in dash with door. Ash trays. Rear boot with lid folding to form additional platform." Its colours were then "Exterior finished in special tone of green. Mottled fawn leather upholstery. Fawn hood material. Walnut woodwork."

The first owner is confirmed as one F.J. Sharpe of Whitehall Court, London SW1, who was no doubt the buyer from Jack Barclay. Subsequent keepers are charted through the next decade as J.T. Brockhouse of Four Oaks, Birmingham (May 1940), Messrs Chas Clark Motor Engineers, Wolverhampton (March 1942), Capt. A.J. Fletcher R.A. of the Motor Cycle Troop in Rhyl (November 1945) and lastly, J. Toole of Bilston, Staffs. (November 1946). No further owners are recorded on the factory records, but it is unknown if Mr. Blond acquired the car from Toole or a successor.

The Bentley was Peter's first foray into road going sports cars, after he elegantly exited the racing scene in 1959 shortly before he got married two years later. As with all his cars its acquisition was only the start of its ownership, a thorough restoration was commenced upon as Peter learned the knack of returning cars such as this to their former glory. When completed, it was displayed at a Bentley Driver's Club Concours and in Peter's words earned it the trophy for Best Derby Bentley, this precipitated it being displayed inside the Dorchester Ballroom that year!

In all it would be retained by him for some 62 years until his passing last year, during which time many Concours and shows were attended and awards won. In true Peter style, the uninitiated who might approach the car would have their attention drawn to the fact that it had been a show car, and that the four door Vanden Plas cars were very rare with only a dozen of this style built. The beauty, and subtlety of its looks and practicality were particularly appreciated by him.

In latter years, the show Bentley would be domiciled at his home in France where it would be used with the same aplomb on Summer jaunts, Peter commenting 'I love driving there, the roads are so much quieter!'. Today, its condition reflects the age of its restoration, its upholstery certainly shows wear, but the paintwork shows well still. It was always maintained with the intention of regular use, and even in preparation for its sale, it has been checked over by Nigel Sandell and is supplied with a fresh MOT.

Over the course of his collecting, Peter Blond would own a number of Derby Bentleys, including a later overdrive series car, but ultimately it was DLD which he prized over others and retained for a remarkable six decades and it is easy to appreciate why. A much cherished and enjoyed example offered from a great exponent of the marque and this model.