1935 Bentley 3½-Litre Drophead Coupé

• First owned by Commander F J Colby, RN
• Built to the first owner's personal specification
• Previous long-term ownership of some 40 years
• Recent works by Ristes of Nottingham cost £16,000

This original and unique James Young-bodied Bentley 3½-Litre Drophead Coupé was registered as 'BXF 436' on 4th May 1935 to Commander F J Colby, RN, who designed it to his own specification in collaboration with coachbuilders James Young. The car was purchased by our vendor at a UK auction having been in the previous ownership for four decades. The seller was a qualified engineer who had restored and maintained the car himself to a very high standard. Well known to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley owners clubs, 'BXF 436' is mentioned in Johnnie Green's Bentley - Fifty Years of the Marque (page 195) and Bentley - The Silent Sports Car by Michael Ellman-Brown (page 375).

The car has recently been treated to a bare-metal respray in striking Satin Black and Silver livery, which is complimented by newly refurbished wire wheels. The brown leather interior is said to be in fine fettle, complete with matching carpets. The bespoke hood is looking splendid, although there are two small repairs at the rear corners. It presents well when erected and folds neatly into a small space behind the rear seats. The chrome, which has benefited from recent work, is said to be excellent, while the lighting system now includes LED indicators, which are built into the original lights so the exterior retains its classic appeal.

The four-speed manual transmission has benefited from a new clutch, recently fitted by Bentley specialist Ristes of Nottingham, who also carried out a full service, fitted a new exhaust manifold, and undertook various other works at a cost of £16,000. At some stage in the past there appears to have been an engine change.

The current owner, an automotive engineer with over 40 years' experience, has lovingly cared for the car and continues to make improvements and adjustments wherever necessary, as did the previous owner, who was an engineer also. The history, though sparse, includes copies of the original build sheets supplied by the RREC together with numerous invoices and MoT certificates.

In short: this car is a unique piece of Derby Bentley history in splendid, though not concours, condition. It was considered worthy of inclusion in two notable Bentley publications (included in the sale) and is ready to give its new owner much enjoyment.