A 1935 BENTLEY 3½ LITRE SALOON BY THRUPP & MABERLY – THE SILENT SPORTS CAR

Finished in striking period proportions and clothed in elegant coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly, this 1935 Bentley 3½ Litre Saloon (registration BOK446) is a characterful and highly original example of Bentley’s most iconic pre-war model. Built on chassis B201EJ and still fitted with its original engine L8BT, the car retains its matching numbers and embodies the refined sporting character that earned the 3½ Litre its period nickname, “The Silent Sports Car.”

Discovered as a barn find after years in dry storage, BOK446 remains largely complete and untouched, offering a rare opportunity for either sympathetic recommissioning or a full concours-standard restoration. The car is not currently running but appears structurally sound and presents with a pleasing level of patina throughout. The Thrupp & Maberly bodywork—less commonly seen than Park Ward or Mulliner examples—lends a graceful and stately silhouette to this sporting saloon.

Powered by a lively 3.7-litre inline-six with twin SU carburettors, and featuring a four-speed synchromesh gearbox, the 3½ Litre was designed to deliver Rolls-Royce refinement with genuine driver engagement. Only 1,177 examples were built, and few survive today with such originality and factory-correct details intact.

Whether returned to its former grandeur or preserved with care as an unrestored artefact of British motoring history, BOK446 is a significant and worthwhile project for any pre-war Bentley enthusiast. Eligible for an array of historic events and Bentley Drivers Club gatherings, it represents a seldom-seen opportunity to acquire a true Derby Bentley with matching numbers and distinguished coachwork.