1935 Bentley Park Ward Derby Sedan
Following Rolls-Royce’s acquisition of Bentley in 1931, the first new model emerged in 1933 as the 3½ Litre, built at the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, England. These became known as “Derby Bentleys” to distinguish them from the earlier “Cricklewood Bentleys” of W.O. Bentley’s independent era.
Of the 1,177 total 3½ Litre cars produced, about half were bodied by Park Ward, making it the most popular coachbuilder for the model. Rolls-Royce held a key shareholding in Park Ward, which explains why more than half of these Derby Bentleys featured Park Ward coachwork. The cars were sold as rolling chassis with engine, gearbox, radiator, and scuttle, allowing customers to specify custom bodywork.
The 3½ Litre engine was developed from the Rolls-Royce 20/25 powerplant, featuring a higher compression ratio, sportier camshaft profile, and twin SU carburetors on a crossflow cylinder head. Power output reached approximately 110 horsepower at 4,500 rpm, enabling the car to achieve 90 mph.
Park Ward’s aluminum and wood construction contributed to the relatively light weight of around 2,513 lbs (1,140 kg). W.O. Bentley himself endorsed the design, reportedly saying he would “rather own this Bentley than any other car produced under that name.”
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