Vehicle Description
Following in the wake of Rolls-Royce's contentious takeover of
Bentley Motors in 1931, the first new Bentley model to come out of
Rolls-Royce's Derby Works was the 3 � Liter of 1933. Rolls-Royce
bosses were initially unsure of how to satisfy traditional Bentley
buyers, but "the silent sports car" seemed to resonate with a broad
audience and sales grew steadily. In this new car, the spirit of
Bentley remained, though now with greater comfort and refinement.
At its heart was a new inline six, pushrod engine of 3,669 c.c.
derived from the Rolls-Royce 20/25. To maintain Bentley's sporting
image, the engine was fitted with a high-compression crossflow
cylinder head, a sportier camshaft profile and twin S.U.
carburetors. The result was approximately 110 horsepower, which
allowed the car (depending on coachwork) to reach a very
respectable 90 miles per hour. While it was certainly a far cry
from the thundering 8-liter, the new Bentley 3 � liter was much
easier to drive and maneuver in tighter modern traffic conditions,
and it proved to be very popular with buyers, with nearly 1200 cars
sold before the revised 4 � liter replaced it. In keeping with both
Rolls-Royce and Bentley tradition, Derby Bentleys were shipped only
as complete rolling chassis to be bodied to order by dealers or
individual clients. Many buyers continued to favor Vanden Plas, who
was W.O. Bentley's preferred coachbuilder in the Cricklewood days.
But with the Derby chassis, a number of other traditional English
coachbuilders got in on the action with numerous bodies built by
Park Ward, James Young, and H.J. Mulliner. Freestone & Webb would
also practice their craft on the versatile 3 � liter, however in
much smaller numbers than its competitors. Of the 1183 3 � liter
Derby Bentleys built, just 59 were bodied by Freestone & Webb. Of
those, only 9 cars, including our featured example, were built in
the fixed-head coupe style. This 1934 Derby Bentley, chassis B136
AH, is a handsome and exquisitely restored car wearing unique
close-coupled "Saloon Coupe" coachwork by Freestone & Webb. It was
originally delivered in June of 1934 via Dex Garages of
Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. The first registered owner was William
L.P. Miesegaes, also of Newcastle. Period photos of this car, as
shown in Michael Ellman-Brown's book The Silent Sports Car reveal
the distinctive coachwork remains in the same configuration as it
was originally delivered; with its low roofline, upholstered top
with faux irons, and large boot with rear mounted spare and luggage
rack. The large boot and rack hinted that Mr. Miesegaes intended to
use his Bentley as a long distance tourer. The extensive history
file contains build sheets and works service records that show the
car was regularly cared for during Mr. Miesegaes' tenure which
appears to have lasted through 1951. The Bentley then came
Stateside with the second owner, listed as Major S. Levin of
Tarzana, California. The next record is from a 1971 RROC directory
which lists the car as belonging to Russell Keller, who kept it a
further 15 years. �It was then sold to Peter Hageman or Kirkland,
WA who kept it until 1995 before passing it to Wilson Borden of
Bryn Mawr, PA. It then returned to Hageman in 2004, and following
two short-term owners, the Bentley would be acquired by Karl Thomas
who would continue to care for it from 2008 through 2018. Today,
chassis number B136 AH presents in beautiful condition wearing a
high-quality cosmetic and mechanical restoration that has been
exceptionally well-maintained by its passionate owners. The claret
red body is accented with black wings and a black upholstered roof,
which suits the sporty nature of the body quite well. Panel fit is
excellent, and the doors open and close with the precise feel that
reveals the quality of the restoration. The fascinating coachwork
has a number of unique details including Lucas P100 headlamps
mounted on shortened stanchions to maintain a lower profile. The
aforementioned boot incorporates the original tool kit on the
underside of the lid and the roof features a large sliding sunroof
to bring some light into the cozy four-place cabin. As with the
paint, the brightwork is excellent, with consistent high-quality
plating and good fit. The inviting four-place cabin has been
restored using high quality black leather and gray Wilton carpet.
The excellent seats appear barely broken-in with just slight
creasing on the leather, and a warm character from light recent
use. Lavish woodwork on the dash and door caps is surely a
highlight of the interior, refinished to a high standard. Fine
details include intricately finished vanity cubbies in the blind
quarters and a period Philco radio integrated into the fascia.
Build sheets confirm the car retains its original, numbers-matching
engine. These remarkable engines are under-stressed and famously
durable, and this example has been maintained in excellent order,
usefully updated with a stainless steel exhaust. It runs very well
and delivers its signature smooth power through a four-speed
gearbox as originally equipped. The right hand lever is precise and
positive, with a deeply satisfying mechanical feel when shifting
gears. The sale will include the rare original tool kit, extensive
documentation, service and maintenance manuals, and Derby Bentley
technical information. With rare and intriguing coachwork, this
lovely 3 � liter has enjoyed outstanding care thanks to a string of
dedicated enthusiasts, and it is ready for enjoyment in the hands
of its next owner.