Bentley 3.5-Litre (1934)

A really well executed and faithful reproduction of a ‘cutaway door’ Vanden Plas tourer, constructed by Dick Brockman in the 1960s. The very first Derby Bentley built, B1AE, was bodied to this design, which is generally considered to be very desirable and attractive. The whole car is in fine, ready-to-use condition, clean, sound, smart, correct, and fun to drive. Still smart cosmetically, with just the right amount of maturity to add appeal without being negative in any way. Has full wet-weather gear, side-screens, tonneau cover, fold-flat windscreen, aero screens, and a lovely set of Marchal lamps. A rare opportunity. Driving particularly nicely, with lovely, light steering and a lively, eager performance. MoT tested until July 2017.

SALE AGREED

Chassis No. B130BL Reg No. BGP 420 Price £125,000

Snippets: Twice a Lady of Diamonds:

Ordered for Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, MP, Mayor of Kimberley, founder of DeBeers Mines, Anglo-American Corporation, African Explosives and many other business ventures. The 1930s was a period of family tragedies for the Oppenheimers, in September 1933 his nephew Sir Michael Oppenheimer (son of Bernard) died in an aircraft crash on takeoff from Johannesberg. In February 1934 Sir Ernest’s wife Mary Lina Pollak died after a short illness, they had been married for 28 years; in June 1934 Ernest’s brother-in-law Leslie Pollak died & in April 1935 Frank Oppenheimer, Ernest & Mary’s youngest son died after heart failure whilst on holiday in Maderia. The tragedies brought Sir Michael’s widow Lady Caroline and Sir Ernest together and on the 1st of June 1935 Sir Ernest & Lady Caroline were married, making her twice a Lady which is very apt for the wife of two diamond magnates. In 1939 the next name shown on the chassis card is that of Stephen Richard Dean a solicitor at his office in Lincolns Inn, London whose clients included James Hope, 1st Baron Rankeillour of Buxton. In 1952 B130BL was with Commander Noel Hunt RNVR who during WWII was T/Lt on HMS Coriolanus trawler mine-sweeper. The tragedy Coriolanus was written by Shakespeare & is based on the life of the Roman leader Caius Martius who is given the name Coriolanus after his army defeats the city of Corioles.

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