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Bentley Airline 3 1/2 lite — 1933

A British connoisseur’s car in neat condition with interesting provenance. This Bentley Airline was built during the early years after Rolls-Royce took over the production of Bentley.

Nisse Brandt
Inspector
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Christoffer Ahlborg
Case manager
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"A right-hand-drive English aristocrat that runs smoothly and is in delightful condition. An opportunity for the country gentleman who enjoys leather and fine wood."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
18 SEP 13:40
100 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18673
BY KYRKBY
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
750 - 850 000 SEK
Not reached
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Non deductable VAT
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Auction fee: 5% or min. 2900 SEK (incl VAT)
BID HISTORY
17601
13 SEP 09:06
100 000 SEK
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12 SEP 20:40
10 000 SEK
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Nisse Brandt
Inspector
Send message
Christoffer Ahlborg
Case manager
Send message

"A right-hand-drive English aristocrat that runs smoothly and is in delightful condition. An opportunity for the country gentleman who enjoys leather and fine wood."

Description

This Bentley was built in 1935 for the owner of the company Wilmot and Breeden, which among other things manufactured bumpers, locks, keys, and other components for the British car industry. This body style was built by Thrupp & Maberly in London and, according to the owner, only two examples were made—of which this is the sole survivor.

Before the current owner purchased the Bentley, it had been restored by Rohdins Classic Car and Bernt Hansen Automotive Service in Trollhättan. Extensive work was carried out, including a new electrical system, rebuilt rear axle, refurbished hubs, new bushings, and an overhauled engine fitted with an aluminum cylinder head instead of the original cast iron one. The owner has driven the car about 2,000 km since acquiring it, and it has been part of his fine car collection. The car comes with a short history of its previous owners and their connection to the British car industry, along with documentation such as receipts and invoices for parts and work carried out, as well as the original tools belonging to the car.

Carl Breeden, who was employed by Lucas Industries, became a partner in the Wilmot Company, an old silversmithing business based in Birmingham. The new name became Wilmot Breeden, well known to all owners of British cars as a key and lock manufacturer. Wilmot left the company in 1949, and Breeden passed away in 1951. By then, the company had over 5,000 employees.

Around 1928, William Morris approached Breeden to see if they could manufacture bumpers for Morris cars. Over time, Breeden came to supply bumpers for most British carmakers. The Wilmot side of the company focused on smaller die-cast parts, which were chromed and supplied to the British auto industry.

In 1914, Breeden married Hilda, the daughter of Harry Lucas, founder of Lucas Industries. Just six months before Breeden’s death in 1951, his youngest son married the daughter of Leonard Lord, then head of the Austin Motor Company and later one of the top executives at British Motor Corporation (BMC) and subsequently British Leyland.

Technical data

  • Year
    1933/1935 
  • Registration date
    1981-05-18 
  • Mileage
    52341 miles 
  • Registration Number
    ENH856 
  • Chassis Number
    B1DK 
  • Kw / hp
     
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl 
  • Colour
    White 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    Easy-starting engine that runs very smoothly and quietly (perhaps there is some truth to the legend of the coin standing on edge while these engines are running). Much has been restored, including the engine, rear axle, and more. The door stop on the right rear door is loose but appears easy to refit (see photo). The left lock mechanism on the trunk lid is missing, but the lid can still be closed and locked with the right-hand lock.

  • Interior condition:

    For its age, the interior is in good and nicely patinated condition. The car is equipped with a sunroof that opens and closes, though its fabric has a couple of tears. The interior wood panels and inlays are also in fine condition. The car has a clean and tidy engine bay, and the engine itself is in very fine condition.

  • Exterior condition:

    Older repaint that has held up well, with some minor signs of use such as cracks, touch-ups, and other small blemishes (see photos). The underside appears to be in good condition, and the Bentley’s chrome work is also in good condition.

  • General condition:

    A magnificent car in an overall user-friendly condition. A well-maintained and well-cared-for 90-year-old Bentley.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2020-04-15
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1981-06-02 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1981-05-18
Senast godkända besiktning: -
Besiktigad tom: -
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 4

Facts about the model

In 1931, Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley Motors. Two years later, an entirely new Bentley was presented, based on Rolls-Royce technology. The aim was to build a sportier and somewhat smaller car than the factory’s other models—one that would deliver good performance while still being quiet and comfortable. The engine was an evolution of an existing six-cylinder Rolls-Royce unit producing 110 horsepower. The gearbox featured synchromesh on the higher gears.

The car was sold as a chassis, with bodies ordered from leading coachbuilders. These models are often referred to as 'Derby Bentleys,' since they were built in the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby rather than in London like the W.O. cars. A total of 2,411 examples were built. The factory marketed it as The Silent Sports Car.

Thrupp and Maberly
The coachbuilding company was founded near Worcester around 1740. The founder’s son, Joseph Thrupp (d. London 1821), came to London around 1765, where he established a coachbuilding business for horse-drawn carriages on George Street, Grosvenor Square. The workshops were accessed via an archway from Oxford Street in central London, and by the early 1800s this had developed into a showroom.

Joseph’s London business was taken over by his nephew Henry East Thrupp (1774–1852). It was later run by George Athelstane Thrupp (1822–1905), who carried the firm forward.

Maberly
In early 1858, coachbuilder George Maberly (1797–1883) merged his business with Thrupp’s, relocating to Oxford Street. The company name was immediately changed to Thrupp & Maberly.

To make a long story short, Thrupp & Maberly eventually became part of the Rootes Group, which finally closed the business in 1967.

The Bentley 3.5 Litre was the first Bentley model produced after Rolls-Royce acquired the marque. They were manufactured between 1933 and 1936, and this particular body design was made in only two examples: the Airline Saloon by Thrupp & Maberly, chassis no. B 1 DK.

Location and viewing Information

Location: By Kyrkby

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Nisse Brandt
+46 707 50 89 99
nisse@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-10-02.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
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