Lot details Registration No: Eu-Reg Chassis No: B22EF Mot Expiry: None
"After the conclusion of my run I came away full of enthusiasm as the new 3.5 Litre Bentley is the most amazing proposition which has befallen my lot to handle. Although in the past I have owned several Bentley cars, all of which has offered the utmost satisfaction, never has such a Bentley been turned out previously to compare with the new product"
(Sir Malcolm Campbell writing in 'The Field' magazine).
At the dawn of the 1930s with the reverberations of 'Black Friday' (29/10/1929) being felt worldwide, competition between carmakers grew increasingly desperate. Thus, while WO Bentley sought to refine his 8 litre into the ultimate luxury carriage, Rolls-Royce responded by dabbling with a sports car concept. Their concerns as to the branding of 'Peregrine' (as the project was labelled internally) were alleviated by Bentley's collapse in 1931. Outflanking rivals D. Napier & Son, they acquired Bentley wholesale (including WO's services) for £125,257. With a department brief that "the new car must be as unlike the Rolls-Royce models as possible" Derby engineers set about preparing 'Peregrine' for flight. Built on a 'double-dropped' chassis carrying all round semi-elliptic leaf sprung suspension and assisted drum brakes, the new car used a tuned version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25's 3669cc OHV straight-six. Boasting twin SU carburettors, a wilder camshaft, strengthened con-rods and a higher compression ratio, this revamped unit developed around 120bhp (a fifty percent improvement) without compromising on refinement. Equipped with the 20/25's four-speed manual gearbox, high-geared worm and nut steering and hydraulic dampers, the resultant 'Silent Sportscar' - as the Bentley 3.5 litre soon became known - was unveiled to great acclaim at the August 1933 Ascot Races.
According to its accompanying instruction book, this particular example was supplied new to Captain J.G.C. Holcroft on 12th July 1935. Believed to have remained in his family for several decades - a photocopied page from an old Bentley Drivers Club membership list shows the car as belonging to T.G.C. Holcroft of Alton, Hampshire during 1970 - chassis 'B-22-EF' pleasingly retains both its original engine and Drophead Coupe coachwork. A handsome Park Ward design, the latter incorporates a rear-mounted spare wheel, bustle boot, subtle swage line, full flowing wings and generous running boards. Elegant yet practical, the Bentley features a lined hood and wind-up windows. Finished in Navy Blue with grey leather upholstery, the four-seater is described by the vendor as possessing a "very good" engine and four-speed manual gearbox, while he considers the paintwork to be "quite good" and notes that the coachwork and interior trim now carry a "patina of use". Supplied to its previous keeper, the late Andrew Stott, by the Real Car Company, the Drophead Coupe has been road registered in Southern Ireland since August 2003. Entering the current ownership two years ago, chassis 'B-22-EF' has apparently proven a faithful companion (though, the seller judges that its headlamp bulbs need replacing). Exuding that mellow 'all-of-a-piece' air which restoration so often strips away, this appealing Derby Bentley is worthy of close inspection.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:
Do you have an item to sell?
If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035