Lot details Registration No: BLA 218 Chassis No: B7BN Mot Expiry: Exempt
- Supplied new to K. Redgrave Esq. of Belgravia as a Thrupp & Maberly Drophead Coupe
- Engineer owned since 1981 and extensively restored from a rolling chassis
- New ash frame and body copied from another Thrupp & Maberly Drophead Coupe
- Original engine overhauled with assistance from Fiennes Engineering
- Large history file including copy chassis cards, numerous invoices / bills and photos of the restoration
Further info:
It is a sobering thought. Had Rolls-Royce not purchased its financially troubled competitor Bentley in 1931, the world would have been denied the Continental, Turbo R, Mulsanne and countless other iconic models subsequently graced with the 'Flying B'. Of particular loss for many, would have been the coachbuilt Derby Bentleys manufactured between 1933 and 1939. Their chassis was derived from an experimental supercharged 2.75-litre Rolls-Royce (codenamed Peregrine) that never saw the light of day, and power came from a redesigned and tuned version of the company's 20/25 engine, initially of 3.5-litres (3669cc). Fed by a pair of SU carburettors, it drove through a four-speed manual gearbox. The suspension was by semi-elliptic springs all-round and braking by servo assisted drums.
The newcomer was introduced to the public in the appropriate surroundings of Ascot in the August of 1933, and production of these 3.5-litre cars continued into 1937; by which time 1,191 examples had been produced. The final year's allocation was manufactured alongside the incoming 4.25-litre (4257cc) version that would ultimately supersede the 3.5-litre one. Coachbuilders and body styles were the preserve of the customer and the following are just a few of the carrozzerias engaged to clothe these fine cars: Park Ward, Barker, Vanden Plas, Gurney Nutting, H.J. Mulliner, Hooper, James Young, Arthur Mulliner and, the focus of this particular lot, Thrupp & Maberly.
Chassis B7BN came off test on September 3rd 1934 and was delivered to its first owner in February 1935. When discovered at Adams and Oliver by the vendor in 1981, it was effectively without a body - the only related items that could be rescued for reuse were the boot hinges and petrol filler door! So began a 25-year labour of love that resulted in the magnificent Derby Bentley we are now delighted to offer. The first task was to ascertain what type of body had originally been fitted, and chassis records obtained through the RREC quickly established it to be a Drophead Coupe by Thrupp & Maberly. It was evidently to the order made on July 10th 1934 by a K. Redgrave Esq of Belgravia, who took delivery of his sparkling new car on the ensuing February 16th. The records also showed the original registration to have been 'BLA 218', which the DVLA was happily able to reallocate.
Coachbuilder Derek Leyshon-James of Hereford had already been earmarked as the man to fashion the new coachwork and, by another stroke of good fortune, was commissioned to work on a Thrupp & Maberly Derby body of exactly the right type, so a ready template was available. Replacements for the many other missing parts were patiently obtained by writing letters, attending autojumbles, scanning the classified columns of Motor Sport etc, and slowly but surely the project came together. The finished article was sprayed in Jaguar Indigo Blue over Peugeot Rhapsodie by a specialist in Shropshire. The trim and carpets were supplied by a neighbour 'he operates from his garden shed and does such excellent work you have to book him a year ahead'! The rechroming was carried out by Derby Plating and the new toughened glass supplied by Romans of Hereford. Both the engine and gearbox were overhauled (the former with help from Fiennes) and much restorative work carried out on the suspension and front axle. A new fuel tank has recently been installed by Fiennes, along with an uprated clutch.
A new suitably caring keeper is now sought for this wonderful period Bentley as, despite all the work he has painstakingly carried out over the years, the vendor (a retired Sales Engineer) reluctantly accepts he is no longer of an age to enjoy B7BN to the full.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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