1933 Bentley 3.5 Litre Pillarless Coupe

Coachwork by Gurney Nutting

Estimate: £110,000 - £130,000*

Reg No: AXK 870 Chassis No: B-91-AE MOT: Exempt

While not quite the fastest nor most technologically advanced sportscar of the mid1930s, the Bentley 3½ Litre was arguably the most refined and best built. Developed by Rolls-Royce (following their takeover of Walter Owen Bentley’s company in 1931), the model was based on a beautifully wrought ‘double dropped’ chassis frame equipped with nicely damped semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and servo-assisted fourwheel drum brakes. Fed by twin SU carburettors, its 3669cc OHV straight-six engine was allied to a four-speed manual gearbox incorporating synchromesh on 3rd and 4th gears. Exhibiting a commendably low centre of gravity and consequently fine handling, the Derby Bentley also boasted a circa 95mph top speed. However, it was not so much the car’s performance but more the way manner in which it was delivered that captivated the contemporary motoring press.

Reputedly the first Derby Bentley to be bodied by Gurney Nutting and only the fifth delivered to a customer, chassis B-91-AE is further notable as the earliest of just fifteen such ‘Swept Panel’ Coupes to emerge from the renowned London coachbuilder. Penned by influential stylist A.F. McNeil, the four-seater’s pillarless, two-door design is a paragon of grace and differs subtly from its successors. Supplied new to newspaper magnate, J. Cowley Esq. who retained it until his death in 1944, the 3½ Litre was fitted with four-door Vanden Plas Saloon coachwork taken from a Bentley MkV (chassis B-40-AW) three years later. The newer body proving more practical and accommodating. Thankfully, the original ‘Swept Panel’ aluminium structure was preserved and put into storage where it lay until, through sheer serendipity, being bought by a subsequent custodian of B-91-AE. The gentleman in question, Frank Brooks, had bought the Derby Bentley during 1984 and been looking for some time to replace the by-then rather tired ex-MkV Vanden Plas body when he spotted a potentially suitable replacement being advertised in Camberley, Surrey. Amazingly, he had no idea about his newly purchased coachwork’s origins until he found the number ‘B-91-AE’ stamped into its bonnet hinges! Sadly, Mr Brooks died before he could progress matters. Thus, it was his successor – R. Hipkiss of High Wycombe – who returned ‘AXK 870’ to its former glory. Spending circa £85,000 (a sum one could probably treble today) between late 1991 and 1993 with the likes of Fiennes Engineering (mechanical work) and Steve Penney (coachwork), the results are still impressive some three decades on.

Chosen to appear in the Bentley Drivers’ Club Review magazine when they re-enacted the initial press launch photos for the Derby Bentley taken outside The Aldenham Club, 1993 also saw the rejuvenated B-91-AE triumph at the Bentley Drivers’ Club Annual Concours winning ‘Best in Class, Derby Saloon’, ‘First Prize, All Derby Bentleys’ and ‘Overall Champion’ during the Derby Bentley’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. More silverware was accrued the following year with the Swept Panel Coupe remaining in Mr Hipkiss’ care until 1999. Thereafter it passed to James Tennant-Eyles, a highly skilled and methodical engineer, who upgraded the clutch and installed an overdrive for more relaxed high-speed cruising (his endeavours being chronicled in the Derby Bentley Technical Scheme magazine). Thrice winner of the Porter Trophy (2015, 2016 and 2018) at the Bugatti Owners’ Club’s Prescott meeting, ‘AXK 870’ has formed part of two private collections during the past eight years. Only reluctantly coming to market due to the vendor’s ill health, he rates ‘Swept Panel’ Coupe’s engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork as all being in ‘very good overall’ condition. Pleasingly retaining its factory-fitted engine (number U7BF), the Derby Bentley also boasts a number of pre-production features such as its radiator shell, master switch, steering wheel and air silencer. Arguably, ancestor to the Embiricos, Corniche and R-Type Continental Bentley Coupes, this historically significant is worthy of close inspection and accompanied by a voluminous history file.

Estimate: £50,000 - £60,000*

Reg No: NMX 72 MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: EB2301912

Unveiled at the 1957 London Motor Show, the Elite (Type 14) was not only Colin Chapman’s first production road car but also the world’s first fibreglass monocoque (a contributory factor to its reputed 684kg kerb weight). Perhaps influenced by the FIA’s recently introduced 1300cc GT racing class, the newcomer’s specification included F2-derived all-round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes (inboard at the rear). Powered by a Coventry-Climax SOHC four-cylinder engine mated to fourspeed manual transmission the basic variant claimed a top speed of over 120mph. The work of Peter Kirwin-Taylor, aerodynamicist Frank Costin and John Frayling, the coupe’s super sleek silhouette is still considered a masterpiece. Unsurprisingly, given its radical design (and Chapman’s budget constraints), the first running prototype did not emerge until May 10th 1958. Driven straight to Silverstone by Ian Walker, it promptly won a production sports car race against 1600cc opposition. As successful abroad as on British circuits, the Elite won its class at Le Mans every year from 1959-1964.

The SE was introduced in 1960 as a higher-performance variant, featuring twin SU carburettors and fabricated exhaust manifold resulting in engine power output increasing to 85bhp (instead of 75bhp), a ZF gearbox in place of the standard MG version, Lucas PL700 headlamps and a roof painted in Silver. Believed to be an SE iteration of the Type 14 Elite, this example, at first glance, visibly possesses the twin SU carburettors and Lucas PL headlamps and wears the Silver painted roof, complementing the Red paintwork very well and is fitted with the ZF gearbox.

Offered at the sale from a deceased estate, it possesses a health-check document, a collection of invoices and old MOTs. A handwritten list work carried out accompanies the Elite and documents mechanical work and restoration since 1977. The Elite was last re-painted in Red c.1990. Relatively recent work includes the following: A reconditioned steering rack in 2002; front and rear wishbones in the early 2000s; driveshaft and diff bearings with oil seals, rear disc pads, rebuilt dynamo and a reconditioned voltage regulator in 2006 and new chrome wire wheels in 2008.

1959 Alvis TD21 Drophead Coupé

1 of 192 Series I Drophead Coupés manufactured

Estimate: £50,000 - £60,000*

Reg No: 34 MPF MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: 26150

Chassis number 26150 was delivered new to Brooklands of Bond Street, London W1, on the 23rd of November 1959, being supplied new to the first owner, M. H. Arnold Esq. of Richmond, Surrey. The 2993cc straight-six engine is allied to the Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, with the Alvis finished in the complementary colour combination of Midnight Blue paintwork, with Grey leather interior upholstery, chrome wire wheels, and a Blue mohair hood. ‘34 MPF’ was purchased by the late vendor through renowned marque specialists Red Triangle in 2002, who were offering the Alvis on behalf of the previous eleven-year owner, but unfortunately, as the Alvis was returning to the premises, the engine blew!

Still purchased by the vendor, with the blown engine, he commissioned a comprehensive restoration through Red Triangle. The work completed comprised of repairs to the wood frame; an extensive bodywork restoration; a full engine overhaul including uprating to unleaded fuelling; considerable mechanical refurbishment, including braking and handling kit work; a full repaint; refreshed interior; a new mohair hood, and much further restoration work. Invoices on file relate to over £26,000 of restoration expenditure with Red Triangle, and the TD21 went on to win 1st place in the motor car section at Cromer Carnival, and 2nd Wimpole Hall post-war class, with the Alvis being well maintained since the restoration.

Accompanied by a large history file, that documents further expenditure on improvements and servicing, it also comprises an album of restoration images, approximately twenty previous MOT certificates, copies of the factory records and early correspondence, a service book from Red Triangle documenting recent services, previous logbooks, and current V5C document. Reputedly a previous star of the big screen, the Alvis is thought to have featured in films ‘Mad Cows’ and ‘A Rather English Marriage’. Opportunities to acquire one of the fewer than 200 TD21 Dropheads manufactured are scarce enough, but this example, restored by renowned marque specialists, is surely not to be missed!

Reg No: E715 FAN MOT: February 2024

Chassis No: SADDDRLW3CA47803

Flagship of the contemporary Daimler range, the Series III Double Six was among the most accomplished luxury saloons of its generation. Noted for the refinement of its fabulously smooth 5,343cc SOHC V12 and slick threespeed automatic gearbox, criticisms as to fuel economy were alleviated to some degree by the introduction of a new H.E. engine in 1981. Despite developing more power and torque (some 299bhp and 318lbft respectively) courtesy of its redesigned Michael May cylinder heads, this new High Efficiency unit was said to reduce fuel consumption by up to twenty-five per cent. Reputedly capable of sprinting to 60mph in 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 151mph, the Series III XJ12 was for many the last true bastion of pre-Ford Jaguar.

Finished in Metallic Red with Beige leather upholstery, this particular example is warranted to have covered less than 55,000 miles from new. Thought to have begun life as a dealer demonstrator and to have belonged to its first, private owner for three years, his successor – a titled gentleman whose House of Lords sticker remains affixed to the windscreen – kept the Daimler for almost two decades. Entering the current (fourth) ownership during 2010, the Double Six is described by the vendor as being in ‘very good overall’ condition with regards to its engine, automatic transmission, electrical equipment, bodywork and paintwork (while, he rates the interior trim as ‘excellent’). Understood to have added only 1,000 or so miles to its odometer over the past dozen years, the luxury saloon has recently had a new battery fitted and passed its most recent MOT test on February 13th 2023 with a sole advisory concerning the handbrake. Elegant and rare, this attractive Daimler Double Six is offered for sale with V5C registration document, handbook, service book (with associated invoices), numerous old MOTs and two keys.

1975 Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) Camper Van

Extensively restored with some £35,000 spent

Estimate: £20,000 - £25,000*

Reg No: HYW 929N MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: 2342009591

Chassis number 2342009591 was manufactured in 1975 and is a desirable UK-supplied, right-hand drive example, being first registered on the 20th of March 1975. Purchased by the vendor as a restoration project in 2018, numerous new panels were acquired, with extensive bodywork repairs completed throughout, especially to the bottom-half of the exterior and internal panels. The vendor elected for a more powerful engine, with a new“Big Bore Super Street” 1641cc unit being supplied by The Engine Shop, with twin Weber carburettors, “Quiet Pack” stainless steel exhaust, electronic ignition with Petronix Vacuum Advance Distributor and a Flame Thrower coil all elected.

A Super Flyer gearbox with a longer cruising 4th gear and CSP Shifter was mated to the engine to make the drive more to modern standards. Stopping power was upgraded too, with servo-assisted front brake discs. Improving the driving experience further, the front suspension was slightly lowered using a handling kit built for such a VW application. The exterior was then finished with a professional respray by AutoWerk in Hunstanton, in original VW colour Pastel White (L90D) over Beige Grey (L472), with the steel wheels fitted thin-band whitewall tyres.

The Type 2’s accommodating interior space was kitted out by VanWurks Ltd., which cost over £9,500, featuring a full-width rock-n-roll bed; gas/ electric heating system; fridge; electric hook-up 12v & 230v distribution and split charger with 75Ah leisure battery and sockets; twin gas hob; LED lighting; turn-table passenger seat; removable centre table. Full new interior upholstery finishes the interior look. Tow bar and electrics were fitted, with a colour-matching Erdé leisure trailer, with a hard top, included in the sale. Covering just c.3,500 miles since the restoration, the vendor estimates that approximately £35,000 has been spent over the two-year renovation. ‘HYW 929N’ is offered with a history file that includes the invoices, information about some of the features fitted, rolling-road data, a Type 2 Owners Club magazine article about the restoration and a current V5C document.