While not quite the fastest nor most technologically advanced sports car of the mid-1930s, the Bentley 3½ Litre was arguably the most refined and best built. Developed by Rolls-Royce (following their takeover of Walter Owen Bentley's company in 1931), the model was based on a beautifully wrought ‘double dropped’ chassis frame equipped with nicely damped semi-elliptic leaf-spring suspension and servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes. Fed by twin SU carburettors, its 3669cc OHV straight-six engine was allied with a four-speed manual gearbox incorporating synchromesh on third and fourth gears. Exhibiting a commendably low centre of gravity and consequently fine handling, the ‘Derby’ Bentley also boasted a circa 95mph top speed. However, it was not so much the car's performance but more the manner in which it was delivered that captivated the contemporary motoring press.
Bentley, of course, has a long association with Vanden Plas, going back to the glory days of the Three and 4½ Litre team cars at Le Mans in the 1920s, and the Kingsbury coachbuilder upheld its reputation for elegant, sporty designs as it adapted to the Derby chassis in the 1930s, but chassis B23BN represents something a little different. While the open tourer body was built by Vanden Plas, it was one of 15 constructed to the Continental Tourer design by the prestigious dealership Oxborrow & Fuller (not to be confused with the Continental appellation given by Rolls-Royce and Bentley to their special high-performance models). As can be seen, it produced a very accomplished shape which might easily be mistaken for one of Vanden Plas’s own, with features including twin spare wheels, an opening windscreen and smart Lucas P100 headlamps. It was specifically ordered without bumpers to enhance its sporty appearance.
The build sheet records that B23BN, carrying engine number K4BQ, was originally sold on 2nd March 1934, to the Manchester Bentley agent Tom Garner Ltd. It was to be bodied as a Vanden Plas saloon, though this order must have been cancelled, perhaps because there was some confusion as to whom the Bentley’s first owner was to be. The name of Herman Rawlinson (1884-1948) was crossed out and replaced by his brother Ernald Rawlinson (1894-1974) of Carr House, Rawtenstall, Lancashire. The sons of a prosperous woollen mill owner, both Rawlinsons seem to have shared a predilection for Derby Bentleys – Herman would purchase a 4¼ Litre razor-edge saloon by Freestone & Webb in 1939. Ernald ultimately took ownership on 9th February, 1935, apparently while in South Africa.
Later owners included John S. Landless of Flaxmoss House, Lancashire (1951); J. N. Barnett of Aldermaston Court, Berkshire (1953); T. Rowe of the Swan Hotel, Lavenham, Suffolk (January, 1966); and T. Wellstead of The Garage, Sudbury, Suffolk (May, 1966).
Arguably the Bentley’s most prominent owner had it from July 1968, to July 1969 – the Anglo-Italian Andrew Grima was the foremost jeweller of his generation, working from a striking Modernist shop at 80, Jermyn Street, where he fashioned brooches for Queen Elizabeth II. and Princess Margaret, among others. There was one further British owner before James Leake of Oklahoma enters the frame. Leake took delivery of the Bentley in 1973 having first commissioned a mechanical and cosmetic renovation in England which commenced in 1971, with the bodywork undertaken by FLM Panelcraft. The latter included a repaint in Chinese White with black wings, new black upholstery and a new black hood. Leake was an enthusiastic collector but also a pioneer of collector-car auctions in America, which he began staging in 1964, and the Bentley was soon sold. From 1974 to 2001 it resided in Texas with Bill Browning, another prominent American collector, who ran Precision Motors, an importer of foreign sports cars in Dallas, and also financed an SCCA Formula A team.
When it left the Browning Collection, B23BN returned to Britain, and was sold in 2005 to Alan Carrington, who set about immediately overhauling it to make it useable and return it to an exactingly period-correct appearance which included a respray in the original and far more attractive maroon and black, with Antique Gold coach lines, a new black mohair hood and a new interior. With a light service and mechanical recommissioning, Mr. Carrington’s total expenditure exceeded £30,000.
The vendor purchased the car in 2006 and has enjoyed it ever since, keeping it regularly serviced and MoTed until as recently as 2023. His maintenance expenditure runs to many thousands of pounds, most of it undertaken at marque specialists Royce Service & Engineering and, more recently, West Hoathly Garage Ltd. He has preserved the car very much as bought, except for fitting LED bulbs for the side lights and indicators in 2021.
As it is, B23BN looks like it’s just driven out of 1935, and we could not want it any other way. Extremely rare, wonderfully historic and beautifully maintained, this delightful Derby represents a very attractive prospect for its next owner. It is to be sold with an impressive history file including copies of the factory build sheets and 1970s invoices, high-quality black-and-white photographs taken following its 1970s renovation, a large collection of invoices and MoT certificates from 2005 onwards, plus other fascinating historic documents including correspondence from Andrew Grima to Bill Browning.
