The 2,422 Bentleys produced between 1933 and 1939 are known as the 'Derby Bentleys' after the Rolls-Royce factory in which they were built. Rolls had acquired Bentley Motors from the receiver in 1931 and was determined to honour the magnificent sporting heritage that came with this illustrious brand. Although the cars were based on the existing Rolls-Royce 20/25 and 25/30 models, they were much more than a badge-engineering exercise, the management order being to develop "a new car as unlike the Rolls-Royce models as possible" – which resulted in considerably more powerful engines and a more sporting chassis.
Dubbed 'The Silent Sportscar' the first Derby Bentley had a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine with a new cross-flow cylinder head, twin SU carbs, a hotter cam, strengthened con-rods, a higher compression ratio and twin fuel pumps. Feeding its 115bhp through a four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the top two gears, the car was good for a genuine 90mph and was widely praised for its combination of speed, outstanding refinement and handling prowess.
Each Derby Bentley left the factory in chassis form with just radiator and bonnet attached and was delivered to the coachbuilder of the customer’s choice to have a body built to order. The majority (almost 50%) went to Park Ward, to be fitted with sporting saloon or, more rarely, drophead coupe coachwork..
First registered in July 1934, this particular Park Ward Drophead Coupe was acquired by the current engineer owner in 1981 and restored by him over the next four years. The ash frame was renewed where necessary and the aluminium bodywork stripped to bare metal and repainted. The interior was expertly retrimmed using top quality leather and Wilton carpets, the woodwork revitalised and a new double-duck hood with mohair lining made and fitted.
Mechanically the car was found to be in remarkably good condition and needed little more than thorough servicing, though a new clutch has been fitted, the radiator reconditioned and the water pump renewed. Since the car was returned to the road in 1985 it has seen regular light use, including several runs of 250 miles or more, and is said to drive very well and to maintain good temperature at all times. The vendor states that everything works as it should apart from the fuel gauge which is inaccurate and the clutch thrust race bearing which is slightly noisy, though perfectly serviceable.
One of a pair of similar cars owned by the vendor, it has been serviced annually and comes with all its old MOTs back to 1985 when the indicated mileage was 62,711 (now just 67,200). The car also comes with copies of the original factory build sheets and a fair amount of history including a green continuation log book from 1973. A second respray was carried out three years ago and the car presents very well indeed with a particularly fine interior.
Currently taxed and with an MOT until June 2009, this is a most attractive, well maintained and useable example of this rare and desirable model.
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