1934 Bentley 3.5 Litre Derby
(Featured on 24th May 2014)
Make: Bentley
Model: 3.5 Litre
Year: 1934
Sellers original description:
1934 Derby Bentley 3 1/2 Litre Convertible.
Chassis number: B103BL.
Registration number: ACV170.
A quite magnificent derby Bentley with more recent light open sporting coachwork. This car has had a stem to stern restoration & is presented in magnificent condition having covered just 8000 miles since the rebuild.
The engine rebuild was entrusted to noted specialists Fiennes Engineering, with the rebuild report extending to some 12 pages of detailed notes. At the same time every single item on the chassis was inspected & rebuilt or renewed as required. The engine runs cool with superb oil pressure & is well detailed with a modern oil filter installed. Twin K & N Air filters are fitted allowing for a suitably throaty induction roar from the twin carbs. A Kenlowe fan runs off a thermostat replacing the original unit. All original parts come with the car should a future ownerwich to reinstate the original look.
The coachwork is a beautiful open 4 seat sporting tourer, with a light frame skinned in aluminium & then covered in green leathercloth. Bonnet & wings are appropriately in British Racing Green. The wheels were taken apart, re-spoked retaining the original hubs & rims & then also painted to match the body. All bright work was removed & vast sums spent re-chroming it. The radiator shutters have been replaced with a mesh grille making for a very W.O. like look.
On the day of photography, we erected the mohair hood which had not been put up in 7 years according to the owner who prefers simply to to leave the car covered with a full length fitted tonneau cover. Likewise the screen is usually in the down position allowing for the driver to peer forwards over the aero screens.
Mechanically the car is perfect with tight suspension, a quiet willing engine & quite sprightly performance due to the low all in weight of the car. The one shot lubrication system is all connected & working well, the rear axle quiet & the steering taut & precise. The car is fitted with overdrive making for very relaxed cruising at modern road speeds with 70MPH easily attainable.
The seats are beautifully upholstered in green leather with matching green carpets. A really first rate job has been done on the trim to a standard far higher then seen on many cars. The useful boot space is also carpet lined behind which sits the rear mounted spare wheel.
The whole car is in perfect condition cosmetically & mechanically & needs nothing doing to it whatsoever other then to be driven. It has recently completed both the Flying Scotsman rally & also the Liege Rome Liege Rally both of which it completed with perfect reliability.
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