Bentley 3 1/2 Litre Classic Cars for Sale

The Bentley 3.5 Litre car, part of the Derby Bentley line, was manufactured by Rolls-Royce in 1933. It was the first car to be issued under the Bentley brand name since the company was taken over by Rolls Royce in 1931. This car was designed to be high in luxury and was aimed at the moneyed classes. Production ceased in 1939, with the last cars being assembled in 1940.

Bentley 3.5 Litre Early Beginnings

Although Bentley had the reputation of producing racing cars, the Bentley 3.5 Litre was designed to be a car of quality, luxury and grace. The Bentley 3.5 Litre was part of the Derby series of cars, so called as they were constructed in the Rolls-Royce Derby factory in England. The engineer in charge of these cars was Lord Ernest Hines. The design of the Bentley 3.5 Litre car was based upon a previous experimental Rolls-Royce car design that was known as the 'Peregrine'. The Derby series of cars were sold by Rolls-Royce as a barely drive-able chassis and then the buyers chosen coach-builder finished the car to the customer's specification. Approximately half of the cars were finished by the Bentley company's Park Ward factory, and the remainder were 'dressed' in numerous other factories, including some in France and particularly Paris. Because of the number of different coach-builders working on the Bentley 3.5 Litre, these cars appear in a variety of cosmetic designs. The basic Bentley 3.5 Litre chassis themselves were fitted with gearbox, scuttle, engine and the distinctive curved Bentley radiator before leaving the Rolls-Royce Derby factory.

Bentley 3.5 Litre Mixed Reception

The Bentley 3.5 Litre was revealed at the Olympia Show in September 1933. Traditional Bentley customers were disappointed in the Bentley 3.5 Litre, although W.O.Bentley, who had test-driven the car extensively around Europe for Rolls-Royce, allegedly stated that he would rather own the Bentley 3.5 Litre than any other car under the Bentley name. The Bentley 3.5 Litre was marketed as the 'silent sports car' and was raced by E.R. 'Eddie' Hall in 1934 and 1935 Tourist Trophy races with some success, unofficially supported by the Rolls-Royce Experimental Department. Despite the Bentley 3.5 Litre's original less than favorable reception, between 1933 and 1940, 1177 Bentley 3.5 Litre cars were constructed, of which it is estimated approximately 70 percent are still in existence. Hence, the Derby Bentley 3.5 Litre is considered, by some circles, to have been one of the most stylish cars ever manufactured.