Pre War

Description

Bentleys of this era are known as “Derby Bentleys” because they were built in the Rolls-Royce factory located in Derby, England. The Bentley 3½ Litre (later enlarged to 4¼ Litre) was presented to the public in September 1933, shortly after the death of Henry Royce and was the first new Bentley model following Rolls-Royce’s acquisition of the Bentley brand in 1931.

Bentley sold only the drivable bare rolling chassis with engine and gearbox, scuttle and radiator, ready for coachbuilders to construct on it a body to the buyer’s requirements. Although disappointing some traditional customers, they were well received by many others and even W O Bentley himself was reported as saying that he would “rather own this Bentley than any other car produced under that name.”