1935 Bentley 3½-Litre Drophead Coupé by Corinthian Coachwork
Chassis B65BN is a 1935 Bentley 3½-Litre Drophead Coupé distinguished as the sole Derby-era Bentley bodied by Corinthian Coachwork of Kilburn, London — a small firm that built only three cars in total, two Lagondas and this Bentley. Its Art Deco streamlined coachwork attracted a press advertisement and a feature article in The Motor in 1934–35. The car has been in the same family since 1959 and underwent a comprehensive multi-workshop restoration beginning in 1984, followed by extensive recommissioning in 2011.
Ownership
- 2019-06-30Auction saleSold €126,000 (≈ $139K)
- 1935-09-14 → 1936-12-07Factory deliveryPhyllis Robinsfull documentation
First registered owner, based in London; took delivery of the completed car in September 1935.
- 1936-12-07 →Acquisition unknownJ. Jamesfull documentation
Based in Stockton-on-Tees; second recorded custodian after the original owner.
- → 1959Acquisition unknownThree intermediate custodianspartial documentation
Three further owners held the car between J. James and the present family; individual details are held on file but not disclosed in the catalogue.
- 1959 →Acquisition unknownPresent vendor's familyfull documentation
Family used the car initially, then stored it from 1965 after bodywork deterioration; two restoration episodes were carried out during their tenure, in the 1980s and again around 2011.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1984RestorationPeter Plunkett Automobile Services; Steve Owen; Bill Barrott
Full restoration commenced after storage since 1965: coachwork rebuilt by Peter Plunkett Automobile Services of Oldham, chassis work undertaken by Steve Owen of Market Weighton, and the engine overhauled by Bill Barrott of Beighton, Sheffield. Photographic documentation of the body work and engine rebuild retained on file.
Car had been off the road since 1965 owing to deteriorated coachwork before restoration began.
- 1999MechanicalFiennes Engineering
Differential and rear brakes overhauled by Fiennes Engineering of Clanfield, Oxfordshire; invoices on file.
- 2003MechanicalFiennes Engineering
Clutch replaced by Fiennes Engineering; invoices on file.
- 2011RestorationKen Lea
Extensive recommissioning carried out by Ken Lea after the car had stood unused since 2007; full written account of the work and supporting invoices included in the history file. Total expenditure amounted to £83,538.
Ken Lea prepared a detailed account of the vehicle's history alongside the recommissioning work undertaken.
- 2018ServiceFrank Dale & Stepsons
Major service by marque specialists Frank Dale & Stepsons, encompassing a brake overhaul, replacement of one kingpin, and fitting of five new Blockley tyres.
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