Original aluminum body
Used in Bentley Club events sparingly
3.5L OHV Straight 6-cylinder engine
4-speed manual transmission
Mason's Black exterior
Sunroof
Red interior
Pleated leather seats and door panels
Wool recessed headliner
Walnut wood interior trim
Tachometer
Wool carpets
Rear-mount spare tire
Original polished aluminum 18-inch wheels
New Excelsior tires
Recent tune-up
Original tool kit and jack
Following the 1931 takeover of Bentley Motors by archrival Rolls-Royce, strong demand from loyal customers dictated the development of a new Bentley model designed and built under Rolls-Royce parentage at Derby. Tailored to the emerging owner-driver, the 3 ½ Litre combined a chassis developed under the 2 ¾-litre supercharged Rolls-Royce “Peregrine” program, with a tuned version of the 3669cc Rolls-Royce 20/25 powerplant featuring twin SU carburetors and an improved crossflow cylinder head. The 4-speed manual gearbox included synchromesh on third and top gears, brakes were servo-assisted, and underpinnings comprised parallel semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear and hydraulic dampers, with driver-selectable Ride Control available from 1934.
Built exclusively with a 126-inch wheelbase length, the 3 ½ Litre chassis encouraged a new crop of decidedly sporting, yet elegant, body designs from the era’s top British custom coachbuilders. Two prototypes were constructed by future Rolls-Royce subsidiary Park Ward: a rakish saloon and a drophead coupe, which were further refined and helped define the primary design language throughout 3 ½ Litre production. Introduced at Ascot in August 1933, the new Bentley received positive reviews from the motoring press, plus endorsements from top British racers and aviators. Priced from £1,100 for the bare chassis, the 3 ½ Litre included full lighting and a comprehensive tool kit. Demand was strong, rendering the 3 ½ Litre an important and very successful Bentley. According to experts, as few as 1,177 chassis were produced from 1933 to 1937, following the advent of the 4 ¼ Litre in the spring of 1935.
Fitted with crisp and handsomely styled Park Ward Sports Saloon coachwork by Park Ward, this 1934 Bentley 3 ½ Litre retains the original aluminum body, and the chassis was professionally restored in 2002. Sparingly enjoyed in Bentley Club events, it is powered by a 3.5L OHV 6-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Mason’s Black, the Bentley features a sliding sunroof and accents include a red interior with pleated, leather seating surfaces and door panels, a recessed wool headliner, walnut interior trim and wool carpets. Other details include a tachometer and a rear-mounted spare wheel and tire. The original 18-inch, polished aluminum wheels and new Excelsior tires deliver road contact. An original tool kit and roadside jack are included as well. Benefiting from a recent tune-up, this highly respected and sporting prewar Bentley is ready for continued enjoyment.
