Bentley 3½ Park Ward Saloon

Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley Motors in 1931, ensuring the survival of the Bentley name. The ‘Derby’ Bentleys made thereafter retained the earlier sporting reputation, but with greater refinement than previously.

The 3½ litre Bentley appeared in 1933, with a tuned, twin carburettor, overhead valve, six-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed gearbox and boasted servo assisted brakes. Offering exceptional performance in near silence, the car earned the nickname 'The Silent Sports Car'. This reputation was further enhanced by the introduction of a larger 4¼ litre version in 1936 – with production continuing until the outbreak of war in 1939.

Around 2, 400 cars were built by Rolls-Royce in Derby between 1933 and 1940 and, as was common at the time, the cars were sold as a rolling chassis for the coachwork to be provided by a separate coachbuilding company. This allowed an owner to choose the style of vehicle they wanted and over 40 independent coachbuilders in the UK and Europe provided some very elegant bodies for these cars.

This 3½ litre model started life as a two-door ¾ Coupe, in black, bodied by coachbuilder James Young. It was delivered to the Pass & Joyce Ltd dealership in London in August 1935 and registered for the road as ‘BYV 5’ in October of that year. In January 1938 it was purchased by a new owner, Frederick Wilcock, who used the car throughout the war on official business where at one stage “…the car received a direct hit from a basket of incendiary bombs in Finsbury Circus in 1940 but survived”!

It was sold on by the Wilcock family in June 1948 and passed through the hands of a couple of owners before Michael Wilcock (the original owner’s son) bought the car back. In 1963 he had the Bentley rebodied with a 4-door Park Ward saloon body taken from another Bentley – work carried out by specialist auto engineers Caffyn’s Ltd. The rebodied vehicle was also repainted in the stylish dark green finish it wears today.

Michael Wilcock moved to Jersey at the end of the ‘60s and bought the Bentley with him, re-registering it in the island in January 1969. He was the founder of the Jersey Motor Museum and the Bentley subsequently spent many years of its life in a well-controlled environment. The Museum’s exotic and interesting vehicle collection was sold off in the early 2000’s, but the Bentley remained in his hands until 2008, when it was purchased from his Estate by a friend, enthusiast and engineer, who carried out re-commissioning works. In 2012 it was purchased by the current owner who is based in Sweden and re-registered in the that country.

Following its move to Sweden, the Bentley has had light use and been well maintained. The starter motor has been refurbished and fuel pump and battery replaced. It is running and driving very well. Has its original toolkit.

As mentioned, the original James Young two-door Coupe body was changed in the early 1960s for a very attractive four-door Park Ward saloon. The dark green finish applied at that time has been untouched since and remains in very good condition. A fabric sunroof is fitted as are additional flashing indicators (the original trafficators are still in place).

Very smart, with what looks to be original, nicely patinated leather, wood door cappings and dashboard which is complete and in good order, as are the carpets.

A very attractive Derby Bentley which has been in single family ownership for much of its life. There is a substantial history file detailing works undertaken plus much additional correspondence indicating it has been very well looked after.

Currently Swedish registered, it is believed the UK registration number is still available with the DVLA. We can assist with shipping and importation processes if required.