"CLASSIC OF THE DAY"
FROM
SHOWROOM
Manor Court, Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond, TW9 2LL
Telephone Number:
Fax Number: (0) 208 614 7889
1934 BENTLEY 3.5 Litre
Coachwork by OXBORROW & FULLER
Registration Number: BLL 665
Chassis Number: B142-CR
The first product of the 1931 Rolls-Royce take-over of Bentley, the 3
1/2 Litre was introduced in 1933 and was in essence designed to be a
much sporting version of the successful Rolls-Royce 20/25. As such, it
used the shorter chassis of the stillborn 'smaller' Rolls-Royce,
code-named Peregrine, allied to a more powerful version of the 20/25's
Six with new crossflow cylinder head and camshaft, twin SU carburettors,
twin fuel pumps and single coil ignition. Mated to a four-speed
transmission with synchromesh and a hypoid bevel rear axle, the latter a
first on a Rolls-Royce produced car, the 105bhp 3,699cc engine endowed
the 3 1/2 Litre with market-topping performance over ninety miles per
hour.. Notably, this first of the Derby Bentleys was also the first to
be marketed as 'The Silent Sports Car', such was its considerable almost
Rolls-standard refinement.
The 3 ½ Litre soon gained a reputation for pace and fine handling combined with the elegance of handbuilt coachwork supplied by various leading coachbuilders in saloon, drophead coupé and touring guises; as such it found favour with many owner drivers. In the depths of the Depression, then, mainly on grounds of cost, few used the 3 ½ Litre for competition although notable results include Eddie Hall's hat trick of second places in the Ulster TT. Its separate chassis, complete with centralised lubrication system, employed leaf spring suspension and hydraulic shock absorbers front and rear, while the brakes were power-assisted by Rolls-Royce's well-proven gearbox-driven mechanical servo. Detail modifications were introduced during the 3 ½ Litre's three year production life, including adjustable shock absorbers in 1935. Production ended the following year after 1,177 examples had been manufactured with a variety of different style coachwork.
B142 –CR was delivered to Vanden Plas where it was tested and guaranteed by the Works and delivered to its first owner, C. B. Hignett, in Piccadilly, London, who first registered the car on the 11th of December 1934.
The coachwork chosen by Mr. Hignett, was the Oxborrow & Fuller all weather Continental Tourer design ( body number 3316) as confirmed by Vanden Plas build records.
This most desirable body style offered the discerning owner, both elegant and clean lines. With the hood lowered, a unique feature of this touring design was the introduction of glass rather than cloth side windows. In this design, the glass windows were retractable into the coachwork, offering all the sportiness of a Tourer, but the practicality of solid glass windows.
This unique vehicle which has been owned, Father and son, since 1949, as confirmed by its old buff-style log book, is believed to have been one of only thirteen cars to carry this extremely sporting touring coachwork. In the past 2 years, this rare Bentley has undergone extensive re-commissioning with the majority of works undertaken by Marque specialists, West Hoathly Garage. To list just some of the major works which are fully itemised in their invoicing; engine removal, inspection and overhaul of carburettors, clutch replacement, overhauling and reconditioning of starter motor and dynamo, extensive bodywork, stripped down and replacement of any decayed woodworks, replacement of exhaust and re-chroming of major items and overhauling of all necessary items before reassembly, following a bare metal repaint. In addition, all works were then reassembled before extensive road test, ensuring the successful re-commissioning of this splendid and rare motorcar. These works were undertaken at a cost of £53,000, in addition there are evidenced in the cars file, further work for trimming and detailing including a new hood and hood bag, totalling a further sum of approximately £17,000, bringing this car to its current superb condition. With an extensive photographic record, showing the car's progress through its restoration right through to completion.
With its unique long term ownership, and a speedometer reading, which is believed to be original, of only 75,000 miles, we are pleased to offer this most handsome open Touring Bentley which would make an excellent candidate for the many rallies and Bentley driver club events, to be enjoyed by its new owners.
For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact our sales department.
Telephone Number:
Fax Number: (0) 208 614 7889
1934 BENTLEY 3.5 Litre
Coachwork by OXBORROW & FULLER
Registration Number: BLL 665
Chassis Number: B142-CR
The 3 ½ Litre soon gained a reputation for pace and fine handling combined with the elegance of handbuilt coachwork supplied by various leading coachbuilders in saloon, drophead coupé and touring guises; as such it found favour with many owner drivers. In the depths of the Depression, then, mainly on grounds of cost, few used the 3 ½ Litre for competition although notable results include Eddie Hall's hat trick of second places in the Ulster TT. Its separate chassis, complete with centralised lubrication system, employed leaf spring suspension and hydraulic shock absorbers front and rear, while the brakes were power-assisted by Rolls-Royce's well-proven gearbox-driven mechanical servo. Detail modifications were introduced during the 3 ½ Litre's three year production life, including adjustable shock absorbers in 1935. Production ended the following year after 1,177 examples had been manufactured with a variety of different style coachwork.
B142 –CR was delivered to Vanden Plas where it was tested and guaranteed by the Works and delivered to its first owner, C. B. Hignett, in Piccadilly, London, who first registered the car on the 11th of December 1934.
The coachwork chosen by Mr. Hignett, was the Oxborrow & Fuller all weather Continental Tourer design ( body number 3316) as confirmed by Vanden Plas build records.
This most desirable body style offered the discerning owner, both elegant and clean lines. With the hood lowered, a unique feature of this touring design was the introduction of glass rather than cloth side windows. In this design, the glass windows were retractable into the coachwork, offering all the sportiness of a Tourer, but the practicality of solid glass windows.
This unique vehicle which has been owned, Father and son, since 1949, as confirmed by its old buff-style log book, is believed to have been one of only thirteen cars to carry this extremely sporting touring coachwork. In the past 2 years, this rare Bentley has undergone extensive re-commissioning with the majority of works undertaken by Marque specialists, West Hoathly Garage. To list just some of the major works which are fully itemised in their invoicing; engine removal, inspection and overhaul of carburettors, clutch replacement, overhauling and reconditioning of starter motor and dynamo, extensive bodywork, stripped down and replacement of any decayed woodworks, replacement of exhaust and re-chroming of major items and overhauling of all necessary items before reassembly, following a bare metal repaint. In addition, all works were then reassembled before extensive road test, ensuring the successful re-commissioning of this splendid and rare motorcar. These works were undertaken at a cost of £53,000, in addition there are evidenced in the cars file, further work for trimming and detailing including a new hood and hood bag, totalling a further sum of approximately £17,000, bringing this car to its current superb condition. With an extensive photographic record, showing the car's progress through its restoration right through to completion.
With its unique long term ownership, and a speedometer reading, which is believed to be original, of only 75,000 miles, we are pleased to offer this most handsome open Touring Bentley which would make an excellent candidate for the many rallies and Bentley driver club events, to be enjoyed by its new owners.
For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact our sales department.
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