🇩🇪 Informationen auf Deutsch:

Getriebe: 4 Gänge, Schaltgetriebe
Modelljahr: 2022
Motorhubraum: 4.257 cc
Leergewicht: 1.700 kg
zGG: 1.700 kg

🇬🇧 Information in English:

Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Model year: 2022
Engine capacity: 4.257 cc
Empty weight: 1.700 kg
GVW: 1.700 kg

🇫🇷 Informations en Français:

Transmission: 4 vitesses, Commande manuelle
Année du modèle: 2022
Capacité du moteur: 4.257 cc
Poids à vide: 1.700 kg
PBV: 1.700 kg

🇳🇱 Informatie in het Nederlands:

Transmissie: 4 versnellingen, Handgeschakeld
Modeljaar: 2022
Motorinhoud: 4.257 cc
Ledig gewicht: 1.700 kg
GVW: 1.700 kg

“The Prince’s favorite car” according to the battle-dress-clad driver Adri Martens. He continues: “This 4-seater Bentley has already covered 90.000 km in the Prince’s service and can develop a speed of no less than 90 mph. But the Prince himself seldom drives nowadays, and takes no unnecessary risks. This car is not the prince’s fastest, but it is the best.”

This is a paragraph next to a photo from 1946, taken from three thick maps full of stories, invoices, list of owners, tests, technical information, original manual, and everything else that is important for a car of this high standard.

A Bentley is a special car in itself, but especially when it had an important role in the life of a prince. We are talking about HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. It is well known that Bernhard owned a variety of cars over the years. Most of them were very exclusive ones. Sometimes bought, sometimes received from a friend or from someone who wanted to be friends with him. Or received from wife Queen Juliana. The fact is that he gratefully used the cars. One car for a short time, the other for a longer period of time.

The 1937 Bentley Derby 4 1/4 Liter Drop Head Coupe with VandenPlas bodywork that we introduce to you here, is surely a very important one from that princely era, because the cars was, according to driver Martens, no less than 90.000 km driven during prince Bernhards ownership. This Bentley was the successor of a 1936 Bentley 4 1/4 Liter with Park Ward bodywork, but it often broke down, and therefore had to make quickly place for the B32KT. Most of the kilometers were driven in England during the Second World War, but because the car was so popular, it was also taken to the Netherlands when the occupier was expelled. This is therefore the car with which Bernhard drove to the Netherlands from England and via France and Belgium. Then there was still a military number plate and fitted a flag standard as well as a siren.

The ride went straight to Teuge Airport where his wife, princess Juliana and daughter princess Margriet had just landed with the The Lockheed Hudson “Rotterdam” and a little later the princesses Beatrix and Irene with a Douglas C-47 Dakota. It may have been for safety reasons that they did not travel together, but we have photos that prove that they all got into the Bentley afterwards, to drive to Soestdijk Palace for the first time in years.

Various photos testify that the Bentley was also used for inaugurations and parades. It was driven for a while, but apparently the prince also wanted a new start in terms of car after the war, and his favorite Bentley was sold on July 22, 1947 to a new owner from Amsterdam. After three other Dutch owners, the Bentley went to America in 1960 to end up in the collection of a millionaire. During the drive from the port, however, something went wrong because the new owner had forgotten to fill the drained cooling system and the engine overheated. And apparently the owner too, because the engine was immediately removed and transported by KLM to the Netherlands to be overhauled. Once it has been installed again, it has been driven, but the American owner did not like the car. Let’s say that a false start almost never ends good. The Bentley therefore went back to the previous owner in the Netherlands in 1961, and stayed with him until the car was sold to England in 1989. In 1998, the Bentley was purchased by another Dutchman, who also managed to get the original Dutch license plate fitted again. This enthusiast and connoisseur kept the car until 2020 until it ended up in a collection.

And now the 1937 Bentley 4 ¼ Liter Drop Head Coupe is in our showroom, waiting for someone who, first and foremost, must be an idol of this beautiful and sublime driving car, but also appreciate its uninterrupted history. A history that has been documented so extensively, that it is a joy to read. “If only the car could talk…” we sometimes say, but in this case it doesn’t have to, because everything is recorded and shows a unique story of a unique prince and his automobile. An Englishman would say: “what a legacy for us today”

The general condition is very good, which is of course exceptional for a car that has only been restored to a limited extent over time. So originality at its best, and once again proof that not only is all papers and photos are in good shape, but that the technique has also had its deserved attention.

The paintwork has recently been renewed in the great “period” colors dark gray with black wings. A sublime combination with the dark red and full leather interior.

To stay in “Bernhard style”, we would like to welcome you with a bunch of carnations, his favorite flower, on the table, and if you want some smoking pleasure, to go through all the ins-outs of this royal Bentley.

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Op onze website staat het uitgebreide aanbod van bijzondere auto’s: dat kan variëren van auto’s van meer dan een eeuw oud tot youngtimers en van sportscars tot historische rallyauto’s. Veelal betreffen dit modellen van Engelse, Duitse en Italiaanse merken zoals Austin Healey, Alvis, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, enz.

Onze collectie is bijna geen week hetzelfde: dus neem regelmatig een kijkje, of kom, liefst na afspraak, langs in onze royale showroom.

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We service car enthusiasts from many countries. Our service, openness and love for classic cars guarantee a long term relationship. Buyers, sellers, novice classic lovers or experienced collectors: anyone can count on our expertise, integrity and attention to detail.

On our website we offer a wide range of special cars: varying from cars which are over a century old, both Young timers and sports cars as well as historic rally cars. The models are mostly of English, German and Italian built such as Bentley, Jaguar, Austin Healey, Alvis, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, etcetera. Our collection varies almost every week: so do check our website regularly, or come and visit us in our spacious showroom (preferably with pre-appointment).

Do not hesitate to contact us; we look forward to meeting you!