In Switzerland in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

"Sam Ornstein's H.J. Mulliner saloon, YM5040." — From the article 'Pebble Beach 1987'

YM5040 advert in 1960 Motor sport

Bentley Drophead Coupe 1930.

 

1931 Bentley 8 Litre.

These photographs were taken between late-1950s and early-1960s.

1931 Bentley 8 litre strip of 10 Mint Auto Stamps.

1931 BENTLEY 8-LITER FOUR-DOOR SPORT SEDAN BODY BY H. J. H J Mulliner, LONDON

Chassis No. YM 5040. Motor, six-cylinder, overhead-camshaft, monobloc, bore 4 5/16th in.; stroke 5½ in.; piston displacement 492 cu. in. (8 liters): magneto and coil ignition: four-speed transmission, right-hand shift: spiral bevel final drive: service brake on four wheels, emergency brake on rear wheels: suspension half-elliptic front and rear: wheelbase 156 in.: tire size 7.00x21.

W. O. Bentley's last successful model to issue from the old Cricklewood factory (in the Fall of 1930) was the magnificent 8-liter, an overhead-cam six of a displacement bigger than all America's multi-barreled Classics. With closed bodywork it would attain 100 miles an hour; surprisingly, though, 63 of the one hundred chassis laid down before Bentley's bankruptcy in May, 1931. were, like this example, on the long, 156-inch wheelbase chassis. This car, a full Classic, carries four-door, two-window sport sedan bodywork with integral projecting trunk. This latter is internally lined and of lop-opening type. The front seats are of separate, bucket type. The center-lock wire wheels include a single, rear-mounted spare: accessory discs go with the car, but are not fitted since the present owner does not consider that they enhance the appearance. Other equipment includes dual windshield wipers and telecontrol shock absorbers. The headlamps (original equipment) are by Stephan Grebel of Paris, with Bosch spot/fog lamps. Paintwork is in green with black Rexine top, black belt molding, gold coach line, and black fenders and running gear. Interior trim is in tan leather, with rosewood cabinet work. Right-hand steering is, of course, fitted.

The car is to original specification with a few minor deviations, such as later (but not anachronistic) tail lamps to conform with California law: orthodox interior door handles to replace the now unobtainable ramshorn originals; an electric fuel gauge; orthodox dual wipers in place of the traversing type fitted by a past American owner: and an electric fuel pump in addition to the standard Autovac system. The car was delivered new in Britain in 1932, to William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., then a student at Trinity College, Cambridge. The original Gill convertible sedan body work proving unsatisfactory, Mr. Vanderbilt had H. J. Mulliner of London build him a new body in 1934: this being this handsome owner-drive sedan without divider. Fitting a compact, non-conforming body on the long chassis posed certain problems, including a revised steering column and pedal extensions. The car returned to America with its owner, but was back in Britain by 1947, when it was owned by the then Curator of the Montagu Motor Museum at Beaulieu. It has been resident in the U.S.A. again since 1960, living unused in a Michigan collection for over fifteen years. Since entering its present ownership it has received a ground-up restoration by a devotee of the Marque, using replacement parts as necessary, many obtained from leading English Bentley specialists Hofmann and Mountfort. The vehicle is now in excellent driving as well as cosmetic condition.