The First Production Derby Bentley, Company Trials Car

1933 Bentley 3½ Liter Sports Tourer

Coachwork by Vanden Plas

3,669cc Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU carburetors, approximately 115bhp at 3,800rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Servo Assisted Drum Brakes

*One of the most important Bentleys in the history of the marque
*The unique pivotal link between WO and Derby Eras of Bentley
*Extensively documented
*Feature car for company brochure, Motor Sport and other magazines
*Never restored, retains original interior and many original finishes
*Not displayed or toured since 1996

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Bonhams proudly presents this unique Bentley motorcar and in doing so provides an opportunity to collectors which has not been offered to the market since it was acquired by the current owner's grandfather in 1962. Upon purchasing B1AE the buyer would be only the fifth owner since the car's manufacture. It is a potentially generational chance to purchase a car of immense importance to the history of the Bentley brand, the first production Bentley, chassis number B1AE – the original 'Silent Sports Car'.

The first car, No. 1, in the first production series, AE, of the entirely new Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd., it was one of three cars used predominantly by the company to promote the new era of Bentley to the world and the only one that would wear open touring coachwork. That carefully penned design was a modern 1930s take on the vintage look by none other than Vanden Plas, who had provided bodies through the 1920s for W.O. Bentley. In this and so many respects, it is the critical link between the two main eras of their production.
That transition had begun in 1931, when the receivers were brought into Bentley, following Woolf Barnato's withdrawal of funding. It had been a sad fall for grace from the once invincible Bentley Boys, who in 1930 had claimed their fourth win at Le Mans in the legendary 'hare and tortoise' race, where Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin had charged away goading the Mercedes SSKs into burning out their superchargers and allowing the Works Speed Sixes to come home victorious. The worldwide depression, the fall in sales leading to Woolf Barnato finally pulling his funding nearly led to the destruction of one of the greatest names in British motorsport. As luck would have it, former competitor Rolls-Royce outbid others including Napier to ensure the perpetuation of Bentley.

From 1931 through to the spring of 1933, the Rolls engineers worked tirelessly to refine a new Bentley motorcar, and when they launched, it was received to universal acclaim, even 'WO', who was part of the team that tested the new car extensively is quoted as saying - "Taking all things into consideration, I would rather own this Bentley car than any car produced under that name"

Bentley chose a careful path of marketing for they were keen that the new model maintained the same appeal for sportsmen, and to that end the car was newly built from the ground up, despite perception the engine having little in common with the contemporary Rolls-Royce. It was about true road performance, power, handling, good brakes and above all refinement and quietness of running. To ensure that the 'dots were joined' from the Vintage Bentley to the new cars, they made cars available to those who were associated with the predecessors.

The car that they used for much of this promotion was 'B1AE', which was registered by the company with the distinctive license plate 'ALU 321', the prefix perhaps referencing its lightweight aluminum coachwork, which for added draw was finished in silver paintwork. By nature, its open sports body both showed the Bentley to be a sportsman's car, but it also allowed the luminaries of the day that they invited to test it to be visible for photographs while they did so. Proud of the model, Bentley Motors put out an extensive brochure entitled 'Some Opinions', and there in print, the likes of Earl Howe, Malcolm Campbell and others can be seen exercising this very car. But, perhaps the most surprising face behind the wheel is none other than Woolf Barnato, who like the others is all smiles as he pilots B1AE.

Some of the pertinent quotes in the publication are:

"Words cannot convey the charm or suave speed in this new car, its docility when docility is desired, its devouring bite into the speedometer reading when that is demanded, and its wonderous response to braking when checked from 90 mph" - Universe

"After the conclusion of my run I came away full of enthusiasm, as the new 3 ½ litre Bentley is the most amazing proposition which it has ever fallen to my lot to handle. Although in the past I have owned several Bentley cars, all of which have afforded utmost satisfaction, never has such a Bentley been turned out previously to compare with the new product" – Sir Malcolm Campbell in The Field

"Here is an entirely new conception of a sports car. The 3 ½ litre Bentley gives a hitherto undreamt-of combination of performance and comfort." – The Sketch

Earl Howe's test was far longer, B1AE being loaned to him for a complete weekend. His commentary to the then company director Lord Herbert Scott extends over six carefully detailed pages of words, copies of which are in the large file of material that has accrued over its lifetime. He opens: "I really don't know how to thank you and Mr. Cowan for your very great kindness in giving me one of the most wonderful treats that I have had for a very long time, namely the use of one of the new Bentleys for two whole days."

The Bentley is featured in numerous other publications, it was the subject car for Motorsport magazine's 1933 test of the model, where it is pictured over the caption 'A Masterpiece of Sports Car Construction', again, they too wax lyrical of its merits.

"To get into a motorcar one has never driven before, to take it up to its maximum revs. in all its gears and to brake and swing round corners with the utmost joie de vivre, one has either to be lacking in imagination or very confident in the car's controllability. The second needless to say was the reason when we first took the wheel of the new Bentley."

"From the start we felt perfectly at home in the car, and the "rightness" of direction and handling were such as one only expects in a car tuned for racing."
They continue to talk of a secondary test on a wet day, with poor visibility –

"After a gentle beginning... we discovered that under all circumstances the front wheels kept to the intended path, and the tail showed no tendency to slide. Encouraged by this, speed was increased to 80-85 mph without any feeling of insecurity, and fast bends at 75mph seemed quite safe. These speeds were quickly reached using the excellent gearbox with its quick changes and its silent running ratios."

"The car was as comfortable on Brooklands as on the road, and the speedometer, which was accurate, showed 93mph on most parts of the track."

"By reason of its low build, the Bentley looks remarkably neat and handy. Actually it is only 4 inches shorter than the old 4 ½ litre, but the passengers sit closer together."

"This ... seems to be reflected in the way the car handles, for one can dodge in and out of traffic or swoop round right angle bends in a way usually associated with an 8ft 6 wheelbase."

"The open Vanden Plas body which was fitted to the car we tested was a handsome and practical production in keeping with the high quality of the chassis. The long and well-louvred bonnet and scuttle, two door body cut away for the front passengers, and straight-line quarters and hoods are sporting in line, and the long sweeping wings afford excellent protection. The rear panel, which carried the spare wheel, is hinged at the bottom. When opened it discloses a luggage space large enough for several suitcases. The hood side-screens are carried in a pocket on the inside of the hinged panel."

Culminating in the comments of –

"No effort has been spared to perfect the 3½ litre Bentley, and it is indeed the car for the connoisseur of fast travel. From every point of view the new car meets the modern need for a fast, lively and smoothly running sports car of the highest quality, and the interest with which its coming was awaited has been equalled by the enthusiasm of its reception by those who have tried it."

But, the best testamentary of all comes from the Brooklands periodical Air and Travel where under an illustration of 'ALU 321' racing along a country road they state –

"Imagine the best sports car you have ever driven, add something to its performance, and let every aspect of its running be carried out in complete silence and with Rolls-Royce smoothness, and that is as near as you will get to an appreciation of the 3½ litre Bentley without having tried one."

Bentley Motors kept the first production Bentley for nearly 2 years, before the model was due for its own revisions, and taste in coachwork had evolved to be altogether less sporting, leading to their introduction of its successor, the 4¼ Liter in March 1936. When they sold B1AE, it was purchased by one Gordon Thomas of Taunton and later Wolverhampton. Mr. Thomas recounts in later correspondence that he found the silver paintwork to be all too garish for his tastes and he had the car painted in the black that it still wears to this day. For more than 17 years he remained its custodian before selling the car to the author Eric Williams.

Mr. Williams is best known for his book The Wooden Horse, but if one dives into another of his works novels, Complete and Free, which is loosely autobiographical, one immediately finds reference to the Bentley in the opening phrase –

"The old open car sat low on her springs under the weight of luggage...', a few pages later, it refers to Williams taking the car back to the Works previously before he began his trip - 'Majestic white-haired Mr. Clarke (Nobby), proud veteran of the old Bentley racing days' had had the car checked over for him.

"Have you had it in before" Williams had asked, 'Course we have. B1AE. She's the first we made. I could ... tell you every repair that's been done on her. And that's not much'

In 1959 Mr. Williams decided to go on a world tour, which he knew would be extended and would leave the Bentley unattended to for a couple of years, in anticipation of this he elected to put B1AE up for sale. Amazing though it may seem today, there were no takers, which interestingly led to a column in The Field pontificating – "Is there no one in Britain rich enough, romantic enough and robust enough to buy the first Rolls-Bentley. Must this superb open tourer go to America?"

As it happened, it was acquired then by Guy Lawrence, a successful car trader who lived at Little Easton Manor in the town of Dunmow, who re-registered the car in that County, Essex, with the license number RB 1933. After approximately 3 years, he elected to sell the car.

The Bentley arrived in Charles Follett's esteemed Mayfair showroom in 1962, and it was there that the current owner's grandfather caught sight of her. Appreciating both her beauty and understanding her importance, the car was quickly purchased in September 1962, and indeed it did migrate to this country.

Over the course of the next sixty years, the Bentley has been cared for by its current owner's family, initially the car was toured on occasions, and even participated in key events, such as The Derby Bentley Diamond Jubilee in the UK in 1993. A few years after that on the death of his father, the Bentley was put into climate-controlled storage and has seen care rather than use for the ensuing 30 years.

As acquired, the Bentley had survived its first 3 decades in remarkably good order, its newer paintwork was wearing well, and its original upholstery had never been changed and was still there in its azure blue scheme, which had originally provided contrast to the svelte silver paint. Fortunately for us today, it has remained that way ever since. When appropriate, or necessary, very minor repair was made to its interior, but it still retains an entirely authentic feel and even the original side screens, piped in that same color are present. Viewed closely, it seems that the original silvery finish remains under the black paintwork in places, particularly on the bonnet/hood. After its period of slumber, the Bentley has recently been checked over and made to silently roar on the roads once again.

On the road, even after 25 years of slumber, the Bentley has an extraordinary aura. The motto of The Silent Sports Car is immediately apparent, as there is very little road noise, and the car has literally no rattles or scuttle shake, it just purrs down the road absorbing bumps nonchalantly. All the while, the Bentley is incredibly lively, with plenty of power on tap and its gearbox is silky smooth, the brakes are precise and work quickly. Behind the wheel, the period commentaries and road reports echo in your head and how magical it is to enjoy those visceral experiences first-hand nearly 90 years later. Perhaps because it has never been restored, perhaps as the factory car it was tweaked a bit more than standard, but whatever the recipe, the combination makes for an absolutely brilliant and rewarding drive which is highly recommended.

In every respect this is an incredible car, from its highly desirable early sports touring Vanden Plas coachwork to its simple provenance and its intrinsic originality and condition, it would surely be thought of as one of the finest of the model, even before one considers its importance as the pivotal link between the WO and Derby eras. A car in a category of its own, extensively documented from day one, and unseen for a quarter of a century, it would certainly be welcomed around the world at any major event and could easily stand as a focal point in any major collection. After all, who wouldn't want to own and experience a car which WO Bentley himself would rather have owned than any prior that had carried his name.