1934 Bentley 3 1/2 Litre - 3½-Litre All-Weather Tourer

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The London Auction event, 31 October 2026.

An unusually striking, sporting 3½-Litre Bentley with bespoke styling

Features low windscreen, rear-mounted spare, and silver-plated brightwork as-original

Well-presented, very attractive restoration

One of the most beautiful examples of the model to be offered in recent memory

The 3½-Litre Bentley was introduced to the public at the Ascot Racecourse in August 1933. To limit re-tooling costs, it was based on the Rolls-Royce 20/25 HP chassis. The new Bentley engine was reconfigured from the 20/25’s 2¾-litre motor by increasing displacement and adding a new cross-flow head, twin SU carburettors, a higher compression ratio, and a re-profiled camshaft. The result was a fast, smooth, long-lasting, responsive, and excellent-handling car that was marketed as “The Silent Sports Car”. Well-received by the press and public alike, 1,191 were sold between 1933 and 1937.

Chassis number B169AE was bodied by Barker & Company, the revered London coachbuilders long favoured by royalty, as an all-weather tourer of unusually sporting design. It featured cycle-style front wings, curved running boards that hugged against the frame rails, a rather low windscreen, and a single rear-mounted spare with metal cover, reminiscent of that seen on the famous ‘Owen’ Phantom II Continentals. Unusually, the radiator, headlights, and other frontal brightwork were all specified to be finished in ‘heavy silver plate!’ The finished motorcar was supplied in April 1934 to longstanding Rolls-Royce and Bentley customer Arthur Gibbs of Bramley, Surrey. It remained in his ownership until 1939, then was acquired by the Rt Hon Viscount Mountgarret, with his address listed as the family seat, Nidd Hall in North Yorkshire, now a Grade II listed building and hotel.

A subsequent owner acquired the car with the intention of enjoying it in long-distance rallies, and reportedly undertook a considerable sum in preparing the car for events such as the 2017 Kyoto-Tokyo Rally. It was also awarded Best of Class at the Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace in 2019. Since being acquired by the present caretaker, a longtime Bentley enthusiast, it has remained well-kept in his ownership. Accompanied by copies of its build records from the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club, it would be eligible for any number of most enjoyable rallies and showings in new ownership, as one of the most attractive 3½-Litres available.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/lf26/.