‘Even with an invitation from the Duke, the chances of tempting this rarely seen beauty to Sussex were slim’
Planning the classes for the Cartier Style et Luxe display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed always starts with a wishlist. For the 90th birthday of the Derby Bentley, our dream set included the most famous ʻSilent Sports Carsʼ headed by the Embiricos streamliner and ʻHoneysuckleʼ tourer, but, with these exotic models now scattered worldwide, the display was ultimately dependent on generous UK-based owners.
High on my list was one of my all-time favourites, the Vesters & Neirinck 4¼-litre Sport Coupé. Built for wealthy grain-trader Claude Lang to upstage his brother-in-lawʼs Bugatti Type 57S, this Belgian-bodied beauty is rarely seen outside private collections. Even with an invitation from the Duke of Richmond, the chances of tempting it to Sussex were slim.
Lang adored the car and was very particular about its bespoke style, which started with the low-set steering column to allow a more rakish roofline. With teardrop wings, no running boards, smaller Continental headlights and no mascot, it is rightly regarded as one of the most beautiful ʼ30s cars. The designer is unknown, but you can imagine Lang standing beside the drawing board advising on style and spec.
The Bentley was finished just before WW2 and made one public appearance, at the 1939 Vichy Concours dʼÉlégance, where it took the premier award before being hidden away for five years. Lang enlisted in the Belgian army and, when Brussels was occupied, he headed to England, but not before ensuring his prized car was safe. The wheels were removed and stored, while a secret main switch was fitted so the Germans couldnʼt start it. With peacetime, the Bentley was serviced by a local Rolls-Royce agent and driven to Switzerland for Langʼs annual holiday at the Gstaad Palace Hotel.
Other fans included Paul Frère, the 1960 Le Mans winner and motoring journalist, who first saw the Bentley in ʼ38 when still a student. ʻI occasionally spotted the car on the avenues in the chic quarters of Brussels,ʼ wrote Frère. ʻViewing it in person surpassed all that I had seen in photos.ʼ Frère maintained that Vesters & Neirinck had transformed the ʻknife-edgeʼ English style with the unique low-cut coupé.
As well as the sleek delicacy of the styling, he applauded the extra sporting touches including finned wheel covers and knock-off Rudge hubs. Frèr
