1936 Bentley 3 1/2 Litre Sports Saloon by Park Ward SOLD

$ 109900.00

Price$ 109900.00
MakeBentley
ModelSports Saloon by Park Ward
Year1936
Mileage
Ext. ColorMasons Black
Int. ColorRed Leather
VIN

Original aluminum body
Chassis professionally restored in 2002
Used in Bentley Club events sparingly
3.5L OHV Straight 6-cylinder engine
4-speed manual transmission
Mason’s Black exterior
Sunroof
Red interior
Pleated leather seats and door panels
Wool recessed headliner
Walnut wood interior trim
Tachometer
Wool carpets
Rear-mount spare tire
Original polished aluminum 18-inch wheels
New Excelsior tires
Recent tune-up
Original tool kit and jack
Following the 1931 takeover of Bentley Motors by archrival Rolls-Royce, strong demand from loyal customers dictated the development of a new Bentley model designed and built under Rolls-Royce parentage at Derby. Tailored to the emerging owner-driver, the 3 ½ Litre combined a chassis developed under the 2 ¾-litre supercharged Rolls-Royce “Peregrine” program, with a tuned version of the 3669cc Rolls-Royce 20/25 powerplant featuring twin SU carburetors and an improved crossflow cylinder head. The 4-speed manual gearbox included synchromesh on third and top gears, brakes were servo-assisted, and underpinnings comprised parallel semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear and hydraulic dampers, with driver-selectable Ride Control available from 1934.

Built exclusively with a 126-inch wheelbase length, the 3 ½ Litre chassis encouraged a new crop of decidedly sporting, yet elegant, body designs from the era’s top British custom coachbuilders. Two prototypes were constructed by future Rolls-Royce subsidiary Park Ward: a rakish saloon and a drophead coupe, which were further refined and helped define the primary design language throughout 3 ½ Litre production. Introduced at Ascot in August 1933, the new Bentley received positive reviews from the motoring press, plus endorsements from top British racers and aviators. Priced from £1,100 for the bare chassis, the 3 ½ Litre included full lighting and a comprehensive tool kit. Demand was strong, rendering the 3 ½ Litre an important and very successful Bentley. According to experts, as few as 1,177 chassis were produced from 1933 to 1937, following the advent of the 4 ¼ Litre in the spring of 1935.

Fitted with crisp and handsomely styled Park Ward Sports Saloon coachwork by Park Ward, this 1934 Bentley 3 ½ Litre retains the original aluminum body, and the chassis was professionally restored in 2002. Sparingly enjoyed in Bentley Club events, it is powered by a 3.5L OHV 6-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Mason’s Black, the Bentley features a sliding sunroof and accents include a red interior with pleated, leather seating surfaces and door panels, a recessed wool headliner, walnut interior trim and wool carpets. Other details include a tachometer and a rear-mounted spare wheel and tire. The original 18-inch, polished aluminum wheels and new Excelsior tires deliver road contact. An original tool kit and roadside jack are included as well. Benefiting from a recent tune-up, this highly respected and sporting prewar Bentley is ready for continued enjoyment.