Coys Auction - Fine Motor Cars
Blenheim Palace,
Woodstock,
Oxfordshire OX20 1PX

Saturday 5th July 2008 at 14.30

Following Rolls-Royce''s takeover of Bentley in 1931, the first new Bentley had been the 3ð Litre of 1933. Basically a sporting version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25, it utilised a shorter chassis together with a more powerful version of the 20/25''s six cylinder engine with new crossflow cylinder head. Producing 105bhp and mated to a four-speed synchromesh transmission, the 3,699cc engine provided the 3ð Litre with 90mph plus performance.

For 1936 Rolls-Royce enlarged the engine to 4,257cc. Retaining the 3ð Litre''s crossflow cylinder head, twin SU carburettors, twin fuel pumps and single coil ignition, power rose significantly to 126bhp, which allowed an almost 100mph maximum speed and notably improved acceleration. Otherwise, the specification of the 4ß Litre was much the same as its predecessor, ie: a separate chassis,