Bentley Vanvooren Sunroof Coupe, 1939
Bentley Eight
Bentley Eight•
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Chassis No.: B132LS
- Exterior: Blue
- Interior: Blue
- Body: Sunroof Coupe
- Coachwork by Vanvooren in Paris
- 4.25L inline six cylinder engine
- Marchal headlamps and spot lamp
- Custode windows and sliding sunroof
- Custom ordered by Lucie Vogt in France
- Imported to the United states in 1957
- Same owner from 1960-2004
- Right hand drive
- Sympathetically restored
- Excellent chrome
- Clean and tidy undercarriage
The second Bentley model produced after Rolls-Royce’s acquisition of the Bentley company, the 4.25 L was a development of the earlier 3.5 L. Originally intended to supplement the smaller engined car, the new model’s popularity soon resulted in the elimination of the 3.5 L. The cars were refined and elegant and, as was the convention at the time, fitted with bodies from a wide variety of coachbuilders. While the vast majority of the cars employed British bodies, a few chassis were exported and bodied by foreign coachbuilders. This is one such car, bodied by Vanvooren in Paris.
It was ordered new by Lucie Vogt, the 27-year old daughter of a very wealthy French family that had made its fortune through a number of potassium mines. Ms. Vogt was quite an enthusiast and owned many Bugattis, including a Type 57S that she purchased at age 25. Dissatisfied with the service provided by the Bugatti distributor, she ordered the Bentley from French Rolls-Royce Bentley importers Franco-Britannique in 1937, specifying a sliding sunroof and no rear quarter windows so that her dogs would not be so frightened by the traffic. During the war the car was hidden away and then sold to two Swiss owners.
In 1957 the car was imported to an American owner in Massachusetts, who sold the car to another Massachusetts resident in October of 1960, with whom it remained until 2004. The paint has been renewed to high standards, showing a few touched-up minor chips. The body is well detailed, with numerous interesting lighting details, and even a cutout in the trunk lid for the exhaust tip. Like a proper French-bodied car, it has Marchal headlamps, a Marchal spot lamp and Michelin tires. The styling is very striking, with a rakish roofline and windscreen and teardrop fenders, hinting more at a Bugatti by Stelvio or Ventoux than the traditional Derby Bentley.
The chrome has obviously been redone and is excellent. The very original interior has been selectively renewed and exhibits a nice overall patina. The leather upholstery on the seats and door panels appears to be original and displays much cracking. The wool headliner is of the original type but has likely been redone as it is in excellent condition. The carpets were redone at some point but show some wear; the wood has also been refinished and is excellent, though there are two cracks on the dashboard. Interestingly, the instruments are all in English except for the fuel gauge, which is in French.
The engine compartment has been restored to very high standards, though some of the fasteners and hardware are showing some age. On the whole, however, the engine compartment is extremely presentable and makes a strong impression. The underside is very tidy and clean, displaying much evidence of maintenance. Vanvooren produced just five fixed-head coupe Derby Bentleys (which includes both 3.5 L and 4.25 L models), and this is likely the only one with the unique so-called custode windows and sliding sunroof. This car enjoys impeccable provenance and complete history from new, and has been sympathetically restored, wearing its age and beauty well.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/134287/1939-bentley-vanvooren-sunroof-coupe/
