• Offered from The Timeless Collection
• One of just two surviving de Villars closed body Derby Bentleys
• Delivered new via Franco Britannic Autos to Argentinian Alfredo Mihura
• Equipped with its matching-numbers 4,257cc straight-six engine
• Accompanied by copies of its build records

Please note this car is offered without registration papers, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction.

Veuillez noter que cette voiture est proposée sans papiers d'immatriculation, les enchérisseurs doivent s'assurer des conditions d'immatriculation dans leur propre juridiction.

One of the rarest examples of the Bentley 4¼-Litre, chassis B1LE, was ordered via Franco Britannic Autos for Alfredo Mihura of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mr. Mihura sent the chassis to de Villars, which bodied the car as a striking coupé, despite Bentley records indicating a “saloon” body. B1LE became one of just four closed-body Derby Bentleys that de Villars would supply. The car featured a crisply tailored blind-quarter roofline incorporating a fabric sunroof, a distinctive styling feature evident on other surviving de Villars bodies on Bentley chassis.

Remaining in Argentina, the car was owned by Eduardo Gómez Ortega and then Ernesto Dillon. Dillon sold to Miguel Podolsky in 1965-1966, at which point the car was beige. It was later involved in an accident in central Buenos Aires and repaired.

Podolsky sold the car to Eduardo Falcó, who commissioned a restoration. Hidden by previous repairs, he discovered that the rear window had been made smaller, and the sunroof covered over and reinforced. Removing these modifications and returning the car back to its de Villars design, Falcó had the body painted in black over burgundy, the colour scheme this Bentley still wears today. In 2007, he exported the car to his residence in Barcelona and sold it in 2008. The current owner acquired this significant Bentley 4¼ in 2013.

Presented today in partially restored condition, the car is complete with its matching-numbers engine. Accompanying are several historical documents as well as copies of the original build record for the chassis.

As one of just two surviving de Villars closed-body Derby Bentleys, B1LE has marvellous potential for the international concours circuit once restored.

Please note this car will be taken to Nieuw-Vennep in the Netherlands immediately following the sale, and onward transport will need to be arranged from there.

Veuillez noter que cette voiture sera transportée à Nieuw-Vennep, aux Pays-Bas, immédiatement après la vente, et que le transport ultérieur devra être organisé depuis cette adresse.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa24/.