1934 Bentley 3,5 Rigid Body Saloon

In the Collection since 2000, this model was the first Bentley to make its debut in 1933, two years after the acquisition of Bentley Motors by Rolls-Royce, commonly known as “Derbys” because they were manufactured at the Derbyshire plant. Based on the contemporary 20/25 HP, with a shorter chassis, it incorporates a four-speed gearbox and servo-assisted brakes. The improvements introduced and the elegance of the model made it popular among the elites of the interwar period, marketed under the slogan “The Silent Sports Car.” At the end of the decade, more power was added to the engine, along with other improvements that resulted in the 4 ¼ model. World War II brought an end to production at the Derby factory.

The acquisition by Rolls-Royce in 1931 of what had been its biggest competitor in the luxury car market certainly spared Bentley Motors Ltd from obscurity. Founded in 1919 by engineer W.O. Bentley, the victories achieved by the “Bentley Boys” between 1924 and 1930 at Le Mans brought great prestige to the brand, which was unable to survive the Great Depression of 1929. From 1949 to 2002, they would share the same production line as their Rolls-Royce counterparts at the new Crewe plant in Cheshire, differing only in the radiator grilles and the emblems unique to each brand.

The Bentley emblem, the “Winged B” that adorns the radiator, was modified by the artist who created the “Spirit of Ecstasy” figurine, Charles Sykes, who developed a new version in 1930 with a single wing in Art Deco style, later adding a second wing for aesthetic reasons.

• Chasis: B110CR
• Carrocería: Thrupp & Maberly
• Motor: 3669 cc, 105hp, L6
• Velocidad: 145 kmh
• Período: 1933-1937
• Unidades: 1.177