1935 Bentley 3.5 Litre Saloon

  • Oct 15, 2009
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From the collection of Mr. Edgar Schermerhorn, delivered new to the Indian dignitary HH Hadiq Mohammad Kan Vrn1935 Bentley 3.5 Litre Saloon

1935 Bentley 3 ½ Litre Saloon

Coachwork by Barker

Chassis no. B32EF

Est. 80 bhp, 3.5-litre overhead valve six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, semi-elliptical leaf springs front and rear, four-wheel mechanical brakes.

This 1935 Bentley reminds one of how different the world used to be – and not only regarding motorcars. During these years, India was still under British rule, and its elites enjoyed many of the same luxuries as their peers in England. The Barker-bodied Bentley chassis B32EF attests to this. 

As supported by copies of original factory documentation, the car was originally built for an Indian dignitary and was delivered to the Nawab (provincial governor) of Bahawalpur, an extant city located in present-day Pakistan along the Sutlej River. The governor, HH Hadiq Mohammad Kan V, likely enjoyed driving his Derby Bentley as much as gazing at it.

This chassis comes with many original documents, including a hand-written order card. It outlines the saloon's unique upfit, which included such interesting features as special "India tyres." An original dynamometer test sheet for this car's actual 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine is also included. Maximum torque of 148 lbs. is measured at 1,750 rpm.

According to Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club archives, B32EF was shipped from London to Bombay on 17 January 1936. A road test of the car in the June 1987 issue of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars, by Brian Palmer, indicated the car had only 28,000 original miles 50 years later. Although it was delivered to India, it must have returned to England at some point as Palmer reported that this vehicle was kept in the London Service Depot of Rolls-Royce at Hythe Road for use whenever His Highness visited London. According to Mr. Palmer, prior to the owner’s arrival, Rolls-Royce would ensure that the car was prepared to the highest standard. 

This generation of Bentley earned the moniker "The Silent Sports Car" because of its rare combination of performance and refinement. Period reviews claimed easy cruising at 70-75 mph. For those familiar with Bentley’s history, this comes as no surprise. W.O. Bentley's road to success included motorcycle racing, aviation engineering and then forming his own automotive manufacturing company. With pitiful financial resources, Bentley managed to engineer durable, high-performance open cars that immediately established themselves as winners in the hectic world of European racing between World Wars I and II. Bentleys won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times between 1923 and 1931.

The semi-streamlined two door closed coupé Barker body fitted to Bentley chassis B32EF is a one-off. Still finished in its original dark blue and black paintwork with dark blue leather upholstery, it is remarkable for its clean lines, overall balance, airy greenhouse and fully-enclosed rear wheels. The noble Bentley must have caused quite a thrill on the streets of London with its "Winged B" flying proudly atop the radiator. Barker was one of England’s most distinguished coachbuilders and, in fact, dated back to 1710, when an officer of the Royal Guard founded a coachbuilding company in London. Through the centuries, his company went on to curry the favour and patronage of the Royal household. With such distinguished history, it’s no wonder Barker came to express its company’s artfulness on Rolls-Royce chassis. This high level of visibility helped Barker become well known in the Arab word and thus the choice of discerning buyers such as the Nawab. His 3 ½ Litre Derby Bentley is an exceptional example, complete with remarkable ownership and lovely, elegant lines. 

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