The Perfect Bentley : First Production Derby Bentley Graces Bonhams Amelia Island Auction

February 23, 2022 by Bentley

FIRST ROLLS-ROYCE PRODUCED MODEL OFFERED AFTER 60 YEARS IN ONE FAMILY OWNERSHIP

LAUDED BY W.O. BENTLEY AND WOOLF BARNATO

'...The new 3½ litre Bentley is the most amazing proposition which it has ever fallen to my lot to handle. Although in the past I have owned several Bentley cars, all of which have afforded utmost satisfaction, never has such a Bentley been turned out previously to compare with the new product' – Sir Malcolm Campbell, The Field

The very first Rolls-Royce-built Derby Bentley, used extensively as a promotional model and driven in period and lauded by some of the greatest racing drivers including Sir Malcolm Campbell and Woolf Barnato, is to be offered from 60 years' family ownership at Bonhams Amelia Island Auction in Florida next month (March 3).

The so-called Silent Sports Car was the first to be produced following the acquisition of Bentley by Rolls-Royce, a move credited with saving its rival brand. Four years in the making, the all-new model was built at the new Bentley owner's Derby factory, engineered and designed under the influence of Sir Henry Royce, with the Rolls-Royce hallmarks of power, performance, silence and refinement.

The Derby was extensively tested by W.O. Bentley, who had originally founded the eponymous company, leading him to pronounce that 'Taking all things into consideration, I would rather own this Bentley car than any car produced under that name.' Praised extensively for its style and grace, its smooth and silent running, it was popular with the Inter-War elite.

Having been given the first chassis number B1AE, this historic 1933 3½-liter Sports Tourer was retained by the newly acquired Bentley Motors for company trials and road tests, resplendent in rakish aluminum Vanden Plas open tourer coachwork, and wearing the distinctive registration 'ALU 321'.

Among those who took the wheel – at Brooklands, no less – were the original Bentley Boy Joel Woolf Barnato, himself the former Bentley financier and owner, fellow Le Mans 24-hour winner Earl Howe, who declared his road test 'one of the most wonderful treats that I have had for a very long time', as well as Campbell, the first driver to reach 300mph in his famous 'Blue Bird' land speed record car.

It would be a feature car for advertisements and company brochures and was road tested by leading magazines such as Motor Sport, whose correspondent declared it 'a masterpiece of sports car construction'.

The Derby offered was originally finished in striking silver livery with contrasting sky-blue leather interior. However, the paintwork was considered 'too flashy' by its second owner, Gordan Thomas, who repainted the car black, as it remains today.

The Bentley was then sold in 1953 to British author Eric Williams, a former RAF pilot and prisoner of war who wrote the noted escape story The Wooden Horse, as well as the semi-autobiographical Complete and Free in which the Bentley is directly mentioned in the opening lines and has a brief appearance.

Williams offered the car for sale, in advance of an around the world trip in a Land Rover, but there were no takers for some time – prompting a letter to The Times opining 'is there no one in Britain rich enough, romantic enough, and robust enough to buy the first Rolls-Bentley. Must this superb open tourer go to America?'

The Bentley was sold to its briefest custodian Guy Lawrence in 1959, being re-registered from 'ALU321' to the Essex number 'RB 1933'. Lawrence put the car up for sale at London Mayfair dealers Charles Follett, in 1962.

The present owner's father happened to notice it in Follett's showrooms while touring in the UK and, recognizing its importance, rose to the challenge to become its fourth custodian, at which point it did leave England for the United States. It has remained in the family since 1962 and has remained as original as when it was produced, apart from the early change in its color.

Rupert Banner, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said: 'B1AE - The First Production Derby Bentley is the pivotal link between the first and second chapters of the history of Bentley Motors, and is remarkably well-preserved, never having been restored. Unseen for a quarter of a century, it is a unique and incredibly important part of Bentley's rich sporting history. This is surely a once in a generation opportunity for any Bentley connoisseur and collector.'

Photo credit: Bentley
posted on conceptcarz.com

1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4

Chassis Number: 15635

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates	Auction House
October 2013	$225,500		RM Sothebys
March 2022		$275,000 - $325,000	Bonhams
March 2022		$275,000 - $300,000	RM Sothebys
March 2024	$196,000	$240,000 - $280,000	Broad Arrow Auctions

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

Chassis Number: 113.044-10-009469

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
March 2015	$51,700	$75,000 - $90,000	No Reserve	Bonhams
March 2022	$71,680	$65,000 - $85,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280

Chassis Number: 111.027.12.002151
Engine Number: 116.980.12.001878

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
August 2018	$280,000	$275,000 - $350,000		RM Sothebys
March 2022	$324,000	$300,000 - $350,000		Bonhams

1911 Winton Model 17B

Chassis Number: 10918
Engine Number: 10918

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
June 2013	$220,000			Bonhams
March 2022	$224,000	$215,000 - $275,000		Bonhams

1956 Continental Mark II

Chassis Number: C56A1784

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
April 2007	$64,350			Bonhams
March 2022	$39,200	$45,000 - $55,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1941 Packard One-Ten

Chassis Number: D14092

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
October 2021		$70,000 - $80,000		Branson Collector Car Auction
March 2022	$95,200	$50,000 - $70,000		Bonhams

1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

Chassis Number: S320LR
Engine Number: 21209

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
June 2009	$42,120			Bonhams
March 2022	$26,880	$25,000 - $40,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1951 Jaguar Mark V

Chassis Number: 647490
Engine Number: A 2820

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
June 2011	$99,450			Bonhams
March 2022	$30,240	$50,000 - $80,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1957 Ford Fairlane

Chassis Number: D7FW314835

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
March 2022	$47,600	$55,000 - $75,000	No Reserve	Bonhams
March 2025	$50,400	$60,000 - $80,000	No Reserve	Broad Arrow Auctions

1932 Pierce Arrow Model 54

Chassis Number: 1050024
VIN Number: 239057

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates	Auction House
March 2022	$134,400	$125,000 - $150,000	Bonhams
October 2022		$120,000 - $140,000	RM Sothebys
February 2023	$103,600	$125,000 - $150,000	Bonhams

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

Chassis Number: LWVH87
Engine Number: W86H
Body Number: 9820

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
February 2009	€138,000 ($176,985)			Bonhams
March 2022	$49,280	$70,000 - $100,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1938 Bugatti Type 57C

Chassis Number: 57748
Engine Number: C51

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
May 2015	$1,595,000	$900,000 - $1,100,000		Bonhams
March 2022		$1,300,000 - $1,700,000		Bonhams

1963 Daimler SP 250

Chassis Number: 104198
Engine Number: 97411

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
February 2021				RM Sothebys
September 2021	$46,200	$40,000 - $50,000		RM Sothebys
March 2022	$67,200	$40,000 - $60,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

Chassis Number: 220AMS
Engine Number: U65J

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
June 2009	$79,560			Bonhams
March 2022	$62,720	$60,000 - $80,000	No Reserve	Bonhams

1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 Series

Chassis Number: WDBBA48D4KA099342

Sale Date	Result	Pre-Auction Estimates		Auction House
March 2022	$56,000	$55,000 - $75,000	No Reserve	Bonhams
April 2025			No Reserve	Worldwide Auctioneers

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Auction Results

Bentley

Auction Results

	Vehicle	Sold	Estimated Sale Value	Average
	1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan	$6,720 no reserve	$10,000-$20,000	$24,974*
	1942 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor Sedan Chassis#: 186824607	$8,400 no reserve	$10,000-$20,000	$51,123*
	1933 Ford Model 40 V8 Coupe	$32,480 no reserve	$20,000-$40,000	$53,156*
	1929 Packard Model 633 Standard Eight Sedan Chassis#: 279505	$10,080 no reserve	$20,000-$40,000	$49,316*
	1934 Packard Model 1101 Eight Club Sedan Chassis#: 716 115	$35,840 no reserve	$70,000-$90,000	$136,102*
	1931 Ford Model A Coupe Chassis#: A4322004	$11,200 no reserve	$10,000-$20,000	$24,974*
	1937 GMC T14 Up Pick Truck Chassis#: 8451745	$16,800 no reserve	$20,000-$30,000	$17,700*
	1940 GMC AC 101 Panel Truck Chassis#: 36281 4400	$11,200 no reserve	$15,000-$25,000	N/A
	1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe V-8 Cabriolet Chassis#: 18106382		$70,000-$80,000	$57,263*
	1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Chassis#: WDBBA48D4KA099342	$56,000 no reserve	$55,000-$75,000	$28,963*
Sales History	Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction 2025
	1964 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe Chassis#: HK2 B136	$184,800 no reserve	$150,000-$200,000	$209,536*
	1981 CITROËN 2CV Dolly Chassis#: AZKA71KA5107	$22,400 no reserve	$15,000-$25,000	N/A
	1941 Packard 110 Deluxe Station Wagon Chassis#: D14092	$95,200	$50,000-$70,000	$48,465*
Sales History	Bonhams : Greenwich Concours dElegance Online Auction 2021		$70,000-$80,000
	1967 Porsche 911 2.0 'Soft Window' Targa Chassis#: 500435	$123,200	$100,000-$130,000	$102,414*
	1957 Jaguar XK140 SE Fixed Head Coupe	$40,320 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$75,655*
	1963 Daimler SP250 Roadster Chassis#: 104198	$67,200 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$46,522*
Sales History	RM Sothebys : Open Roads February 2021
	RM Auctions : Auburn Fall 2021	$46,200	$40,000-$50,000
	1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis#: 111027.12.002151	$324,000	$300,000-$350,000	$151,978*
Sales History	RM Sothebys : Monterey 2018	$280,000	$275,000-$350,000
	1961 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe Chassis#: BC99LCZ	$140,000 no reserve	$110,000-$150,000	$129,443*
	1950 Lea Francis 2½ Liter Sports Chassis#: 5146	$56,000 no reserve	$60,000-$80,000	$51,949*
	1956 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#: E57S101876	$80,640 no reserve	$55,000-$75,000	$89,450*
	1957 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster Chassis#: 83376	$302,000	$280,000-$340,000	$145,826*
	1968 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Coupe Chassis#: 1270	$318,500 no reserve	$250,000-$300,000	$479,840*
	1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 'Flat Floor' Roadster Chassis#: 875463	$145,600 no reserve	$130,000-$160,000	$216,058*
	1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 198042.10.002576		$1,900,000-$2,300,000	$909,469*
	1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Chassis#: 111304410009469	$71,680 no reserve	$65,000-$85,000	$68,355*
Sales History	Bonhams Amelia Island Auction 2015	$51,700	$75,000-$90,000
	1954 Austin Healey '100S Prototype' 'NOJ 391' Recreation Chassis#: BN1L151958		$225,000-$275,000	$59,594*
	1977 Aston Martin V8 Series 3 Sports Saloon Chassis#: V8/11414/LCA	$53,200 no reserve	$70,000-$100,000	$75,238*
	1956 Continental Mark II Coupe Chassis#: C56A1784	$39,200 no reserve	$45,000-$55,000	$46,303*
Sales History	Bonhams - Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia featuring The Frank Cooke Collection Part II 2007	$64,350
	1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Chassis#: 15635		$275,000-$325,000	$193,154*
Sales History	RM Auctions - Monterey 2013	$225,500
	RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale 2022		$275,000-$300,000
	Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia 2024	$196,000	$240,000-$280,000
	1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Chassis#: D7FW314835	$47,600 no reserve	$55,000-$75,000	$42,621*
Sales History	Broad Arrow Auction : Amelia Island 2025	$50,400	$60,000-$80,000
	1956 Packard Caribbean Converible Chassis#: 5699-1093	$42,560 no reserve	$70,000-$85,000	$79,510*
	1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Convertible Chassis#: 57748		$1,300,000-$1,700,000	$1,208,639*
Sales History	Bonhams : Greenwich Concours 2015	$1,595,000	$900,000-$1,100,000
	1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Continental Coupe Chassis#: LSGT629C	$100,800 no reserve	$80,000-$120,000	$103,751*
	1966 Jaguar E-Type Convertible Chassis#: 1E14186	$193,760	$190,000-$230,000	$123,219*
	1967 Maserati Mexico 4.2 Liter Coupe Chassis#: AM112/112	$52,080 no reserve	$50,000-$80,000	$120,167*
	1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine Chassis#: LWVH87	$49,280 no reserve	$70,000-$100,000	$72,823*
Sales History	Bonhams - Automobiles d'Exception à Retromobile 2009	$176,985
	1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster Chassis#: S67329		$110,000-$140,000	$96,912*
	1957 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Coupe Chassis#: 188014.7500014		$550,000-$650,000	$440,756*
	1916 Packard Model I-35 Seven Passenger Touring Chassis#: 87058		$80,000-$100,000	$118,487*
	1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 Roadster Chassis#: 1E 15293		$120,000-$140,000	$103,102*
	1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Coupé Chassis#: 675360	$940,000	$900,000-$1,300,000	$940,000*
	1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Town Car Chassis#: 279AJS	$123,200 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$307,487*
	1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Chassis#: 107044.12.044940	$34,720 no reserve	$45,000-$65,000	$10,202*
	1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Chassis#: 113044.12.019607	$109,200	$110,000-$140,000	$73,084*
	1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine Chassis#: 5LVC21	$60,480 no reserve	$70,000-$100,000	N/A
	1974 Lamborghini Espada Series III Coupe Chassis#: 9548	$42,560 no reserve	$50,000-$80,000	$65,514*
	1952 Allard J2X Two Seater Sports Chassis#: J2X 3059		$400,000-$450,000	$271,388*
	1974 Porsche 914 2.0 Chassis#: 4742920491	$44,800 no reserve	$50,000-$70,000	$85,654*
	1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Long Wheelbase Chassis#: LLCA18	$38,080 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$61,782*
	1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Chassis#: 550-0036	$4,185,000	$4,500,000-$5,500,000	$2,337,558*
	1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Open Two-Seater Chassis#: 54UK	$335,000	$175,000-$225,000	$173,365*
	1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Newport Town Car Chassis#: 264AJS	$123,200	$100,000-$130,000	$307,487*
	1912 Packard Model 30 Toy Tonneau Chassis#: 21171	$257,600	$250,000-$300,000	$340,720*
	1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 42 Touring Phaeton Chassis#: 2525462	$112,000	$115,000-$130,000	$119,383*
	1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria Chassis#: 2474	$1,066,500	$900,000-$1,200,000	$1,038,796*
	1976 Aston Martin V8 Sports Saloon Chassis#: V8/11477/LCA	$56,000 no reserve	$60,000-$80,000	$77,669*
	1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Long Wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: LCLC46	$42,560 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$61,782*
	1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe Chassis#: 679817	$94,080	$95,000-$120,000	$94,185*
	1996 Porsche 911 'Type 993' Carrera Chassis#: WP0AA2992TS320296	$87,360	$80,000-$110,000	$141,798*
	1991 Ferrari Testarossa Chassis#: ZFFSA17S000088508	$95,200 no reserve	$60,000-$90,000	$117,407*
	1937 Riley Sprite Two Seater Sports Chassis#: S27S 6031	$491,750	$475,000-$625,000	$252,400*
	1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Tourer Chassis#: 35MW	$335,000	$300,000-$400,000	$359,202*
	1951 Jaguar Mark V Drophead Coupe Chassis#: 647490	$30,240 no reserve	$50,000-$80,000	$65,517*
Sales History	Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia 2011	$99,450
	1960 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Fixed Head Coupe Chassis#: S836308BW	$26,880 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$126,268*
	1911 Winton 17b Five-Passenger Touring Chassis#: 10918	$224,000	$215,000-$275,000	$254,167*
Sales History	Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance 2013	$220,000
	1933 Lincoln Model KB Dual Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: KB 2408	$134,400	$200,000-$250,000	$210,158*
	1933 Bentley 3½ Liter Sports Tourer Chassis#: B1AE	$428,500	$400,000-$600,000	$428,500*
	1907 DE DION-BOUTON TYPE AU 8HP TWO SEATER Chassis#: 122	$20,720 no reserve	$20,000-$30,000	$20,720*
	1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Chassis#: LSCX639	$68,320 no reserve	$50,000-$80,000	$95,077*
	1911 Packard Model 30 Seven Passenger Touring Chassis#: 15239	$201,600	$200,000-$300,000	$146,650*
	1931 Auburn 8-98A Boattail Speedster	$271,600	$275,000-$325,000	$108,093*
	1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca De Ville Chassis#: 220AMS	$62,720 no reserve	$60,000-$80,000	$359,202*
Sales History	Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia 2009	$79,560
	1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Coachwork by Barker & Co Chassis#: 54AB	$489,000	$475,000-$575,000	$841,478*
	1932 Pierce-Arrow Eight Model 54 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 1050024 VIN#: 1050024	$134,400	$125,000-$150,000	$75,501*
Sales History	RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction 2022		$120,000-$140,000
	Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction 2023	$103,600	$125,000-$150,000
	1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: LELW100	$53,760 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$93,419*
	1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster Chassis#: UE1S2389BW	$67,200 no reserve	$30,000-$40,000	$71,255*
	1936 Packard Eight Model 1401 Coupe Roadster Chassis#: 919223	$15,680	$50,000-$70,000	$86,305*
	1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Avon Touring Sedan Chassis#: S320LR	$26,880 no reserve	$25,000-$40,000	$298,947*
Sales History	Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia 2009	$42,120
	1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Chassis#: LSMF2	$35,840 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$72,787*
	1980 Rolls-Royce Camargue Coupe Chassis#: JRX50711	$38,080 no reserve	$40,000-$60,000	$40,124*
	1908 Ford Model-T Touring Chassis#: 2	$246,400	$180,000-$260,000	$59,074*
	1917 Packard Twin-Six 2-25 Seven Passenger Touring Chassis#: 126726		$140,000-$160,000	$151,340*
	1958 Aston Martin DB4 Series I Project Chassis#: DB4/150/R	$173,600 no reserve	$160,000-$180,000	$173,600*
	1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II Fixed Head Coupe Chassis#: 1R-26682	$43,680 no reserve	$25,000-$35,000	$61,110*