Lot details
Registration No: DMA 700
Chassis No: B139HM
Mot Expiry: June 2006

At the dawn of the 1930s with the reverberations of 'Black Friday' (29/10/1929) being felt worldwide, competition between carmakers grew increasingly desperate. Thus, while WO Bentley sought to refine his 8 litre into the ultimate luxury carriage, Rolls-Royce responded by dabbling with a sports car concept. Their concerns as to the branding of 'Peregrine' (as the project was labelled internally) were alleviated by Bentley's collapse in 1931. Outflanking rivals D. Napier & Son, they acquired Bentley wholesale (including WO's services) for £125,257. With a department brief that "the new car must be as unlike the Rolls-Royce models as possible" Derby engineers set about preparing 'Peregrine' for flight. Built on a 'double-dropped' chassis carrying all round semi-elliptic leaf sprung suspension and assisted drum brakes, the new car used a tuned version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25's 3,669cc ohv straight-six. Boasting twin SU carburettors, a wilder cam, strengthened con-rods and a higher compression ratio, this revamped unit developed around 120bhp (a fifty percent improvement) without compromising on its refinement. Equipped with the 20/25's four-speed manual gearbox, high-geared worm and nut steering and hydraulic dampers, the resultant 'Silent Sportscar' - as the Bentley 3½ litre soon became known - was unveiled during the August 1933 Ascot Races. Superseding the 3½ in 1936, the new 4¼ (sourcing its re-worked powerplant from the contemporary RR 25/30hp) offered a welcome boost in performance.
Finished in two-tone green with green leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in good overall condition for its age. Of the nine 4¼ litre chassis reportedly clothed by coachbuilders Cockshoot, this is alleged to be one of just two owner-driver saloons that they bodied in alloy. Delivered to their Manchester premises in November 1936, chassis B 139 HM was registered to its first keeper in Wilmslow some two months later. Reputedly part of an American collection during the 1980s, DMA 700 is thought to have undergone a repaint and partial re-trim stateside before being repatriated in 1990. Believed to have been given a cylinder head overhaul, replacement exhaust system and new battery by its last owner, the current one also reports that he has used the Bentley sparingly. Driven to various RREC and VSCC events "where it always attracts interest", he adds that "the sliding sunroof is operational but there is scope for improvement to the headlining and interior woodwork". Benefiting from a recent dynamo overhaul and re-chromed wheels nuts, it is offered for sale with MOT valid until June 2006 and road tax until November 2005.