Pebble Beach 2018 | Pebble Beach, 24 August, 2018

Monterey
13-15 August 2015

1931 Bentley 4-Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas
Chassis no. VF4019
Engine no. VF4020
Body no. 1741
$500,000 - $650,000

The car was sold on January 4, 1932, to its first owner, P.A.G. Phillips, of Tunbridge Wells, heir to a prominent London cigar manufacturer, who registered it in London as GP 5193.

According to surviving Bentley chassis records, the car was regularly maintained through 1938, with a new 4.16:1 rear axle installed in September 1933. It was apparently not registered during the war years but continued in Mr. Phillips’s use; he is known to have loaned it to his squadron leader, Peter Balean, of Derby, at least once while Mr. Balean was on leave in 1941. Squadron Leader Peter Balean was impressed enough by the automobile that it remained vivid in his memory for another 19 years, during which time he kept up contact with Mr. Phillips and the car. In June 1960, he was able to become the Bentley’s second owner, acquiring it from Mr. Phillips’s estate, where it had been regularly maintained by a chauffeur. It would remain in his care until 1989. It is fascinating that, in its first 58 years, this car had two owners who knew one another and were passionate enthusiasts and aviators in the service of their country. (Note the rare accessory altimeter, ideal for a pilot’s automobile!)

The car passed from Squadron Leader Balean to Ronald Gray, of Germany and Florida, from whom its present US-based consignor acquired it some 15 years ago. It was subjected to a full service by noted restorer and preservationist Steve Babinsky about six years ago, with further freshening before the car’s appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2014.

Vanden Plas photo of Chassis number VF4019 when new.