Chassis: B117AE
Engine: S3BH
An Early Example of the Silent Sports Car
Sporting Barker Drophead Coupe Coachwork
Equipped with Its Original Engine per Copies of Factory Build Records
Held in Single Ownership for the Past 44 Years and Accompanied by History File
Mid-1980s Restoration by I. Wilkinson & Son
3,669 CC OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
110 BHP at 4,500 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Mechanical Drum Brakes
Front Beam Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
*
UK V5
See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.
Presented here is chassis B117AE, an early-production Derby Bentley with an off-test date of January 19, 1934, and delivery two months later to Col. J.N. Horlick. It is one of 14 known examples of the 3 1/2 Litre models equipped with sporting Barker drophead coupe coachwork, with this example featuring a built-in boot with the spare wheel assembly mounted behind it.
This sporting Bentley has remained in England its entire life. An early image of the car shows it participating in a J.C.C. rally at Brooklands in 1939, and further ownership is recounted in B117AE’s accompanying history file. Its current owner acquired it in 1979, adding it to a collection of companion Bentleys. A restoration by I. Wilkinson & Son of Derby was completed in the mid-1980s, and it has been maintained in fine condition since.
The body and wire wheels are finished in a warm green tone accented with a black hood. A red coach-line runs the length of the body, and that color is repeated inside on the leather upholstery and carpeting. It has benefited from continual care during the past 44 years in single family ownership and presented well at the Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show in 2015 and the Nantwich Show in 2017. Still carrying its original engine, per a copy of its factory build sheet, this lovely Bentley makes for a delightful, open version of the Silent Sports Car.
