Details
1935 BENTLEY 3½-LITRE TOP HAT BROUGHAM
COACHWORK BY FREESTONE & WEBB
Chassis No. B-35FC
Engine No. Y7BH
Two tone grey with red interior
Engine: six cylinder in-line, 3½-litre; Gearbox: four speed; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: semi-elliptical front and rear. Right hand drive.
When Bentley Motors was in receivership in 1931 a tussle developed between Rolls-Royce and Napier about which of them would buy the financially troubled Bentley company. Rolls-Royce won the contest, after hiding behind a nominee bidder at the Receiver's sale. The result of the acquisition was the announcement in 1933 of a new 3½-litre Bentley (Rolls-Bentley) 'Silent Sports Car' which was powered by an improved version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25 engine, with an overhead valve crossflow head and twin carburettors. The power unit drove to a four speed gearbox with synchromesh on third and top gears; the chassis embodied the Hispano-Suiza power-assisted braking system, using a gearbox driven servo to aid breaking effort. Rolls-Royce improved a little on the Hispano arrangement, by making the brakes servo assisted also when travelling backwards, which was not the case with the Hispano-Suiza.
The new model Bentley attracted the finest coachbuilders who were eager to clothe the 3½ litre. The example offered here is fitted with a very attractive Top Hat Brougham style coachwork by Freestone & Webb. It was the last of the 3½ litre chassis with a Top Hat body and was shipped new to Mrs L.E. Barnett near Derby. Unusually it was delivered without a driving lamp. The interior is magnificently fitted with the following: twin vanities, the male side with brush, comb and cigarette lighter, the female side with address book and diary, twin West of England Rollvisions, twin special companion trays and ash trays recessed flush into the rear door waist fillets. All of the interior woodwork is black ebony with an ornate pewter inlay. The interior fittings are in polished nickel.
B-35FC has been lovingly restored by its owner - a former chief judge of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, Southern California region. There are $160,000 in receipts alone, not counting the owner/restorer's labour. B-35FC is finished in two shades of Birch grey with a red cast and red leather upholstery. It received a second place in a very closely contested class in the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The owner/restorer went to great lengths to finish the car as it was originally with the proper India tyres, honeycomb radiators, Lucas ST/44 tail lamps and Lucas 1130 side lamps and the Continental Touring device. A complete file with photos and receipts documenting the restoration will be avaliable for inspection.
It is a rare opportunity that such a fine motorcar is offered without reserve.
AT NO RESERVE
COACHWORK BY FREESTONE & WEBB
Chassis No. B-35FC
Engine No. Y7BH
Two tone grey with red interior
Engine: six cylinder in-line, 3½-litre; Gearbox: four speed; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: semi-elliptical front and rear. Right hand drive.
When Bentley Motors was in receivership in 1931 a tussle developed between Rolls-Royce and Napier about which of them would buy the financially troubled Bentley company. Rolls-Royce won the contest, after hiding behind a nominee bidder at the Receiver's sale. The result of the acquisition was the announcement in 1933 of a new 3½-litre Bentley (Rolls-Bentley) 'Silent Sports Car' which was powered by an improved version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25 engine, with an overhead valve crossflow head and twin carburettors. The power unit drove to a four speed gearbox with synchromesh on third and top gears; the chassis embodied the Hispano-Suiza power-assisted braking system, using a gearbox driven servo to aid breaking effort. Rolls-Royce improved a little on the Hispano arrangement, by making the brakes servo assisted also when travelling backwards, which was not the case with the Hispano-Suiza.
The new model Bentley attracted the finest coachbuilders who were eager to clothe the 3½ litre. The example offered here is fitted with a very attractive Top Hat Brougham style coachwork by Freestone & Webb. It was the last of the 3½ litre chassis with a Top Hat body and was shipped new to Mrs L.E. Barnett near Derby. Unusually it was delivered without a driving lamp. The interior is magnificently fitted with the following: twin vanities, the male side with brush, comb and cigarette lighter, the female side with address book and diary, twin West of England Rollvisions, twin special companion trays and ash trays recessed flush into the rear door waist fillets. All of the interior woodwork is black ebony with an ornate pewter inlay. The interior fittings are in polished nickel.
B-35FC has been lovingly restored by its owner - a former chief judge of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, Southern California region. There are $160,000 in receipts alone, not counting the owner/restorer's labour. B-35FC is finished in two shades of Birch grey with a red cast and red leather upholstery. It received a second place in a very closely contested class in the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The owner/restorer went to great lengths to finish the car as it was originally with the proper India tyres, honeycomb radiators, Lucas ST/44 tail lamps and Lucas 1130 side lamps and the Continental Touring device. A complete file with photos and receipts documenting the restoration will be avaliable for inspection.
It is a rare opportunity that such a fine motorcar is offered without reserve.
AT NO RESERVE