1935 Bentley Super Sports – Classified of the Week

Let’s not kid ourselves, part of owning a classic car is the opportunity to show off. You might be the most shy and retiring of people, but we all know that should your classic take to the streets only to be ignored, it would be a bit depressing. We’re not saying classic car ownership is about shameless showing off. It’s more a case of wanting to remind people of the cars that were, and how spectacular they could be. It’s a thrill to see heads turn and fingers point. To be behind the wheel, knowing you’re interspersing the modern traffic with something special. Delightful. Imagine then, how amplified that feeling would be if you were behind the wheel of this truly unique 1935 Bentley Super Sports. A bespoke creation crafted by the talented S. Penny Vintage Carriage Bodies team.

It started life in 1935 as a 3 1/2 litre model. This was an important car, as it was the first Bentley model to be introduced under Rolls-Royce ownership. There was a line to tow, as it had to fit in and not compete too aggressively with the then Rolls range. As such, Bentley was positioned to be a sporty, racing brand whereas Rolls-Royce would stick with the luxurious side of things. The 3 1/2 litre, which was powered by a straight-six derived from that of the Rolls-Royce 20/25 was a racy little number. It had a higher compression ratio, a sportier camshaft and two SU carbs bolted to a crossflow cylinder head. This meant it had some 110bhp on tap, and with the right body, a top speed of over 90mph. Rocket speed for 1935.

This particular car, chassis no. B200EF has been through some changes over the course of its life. Rebodied by S. Penny Vintage Carriage Bodies in 1998, it was reimagined as a sleek, low-slung three-seat sports tourer. A Bentley GTi if you will. The long body thins into a delicate rear end, with the backward sloping doors adding to the sleek lines. The wheel arches are minimal, leaving the rest of the car’s aesthetic to breathe a little. They also serve to give this bespoke machine a light, delicate visual. No easy feat with what is in fact a rather large car. The familiar Bentley grille and imposing headlights remain though, serving as a reminder of this car’s origins. It is, make no mistake, a thing of utter beauty.

At the same time, the engine and chassis were completely overhauled by Fiennes Engineering. The vendor states that there is a full, detailed history file in which all the works afforded to the car are documented extensively. That work reached completion in 2000, and since then the car has been regularly maintained by A. Dyson, a specialist engineer based in Oxfordshire. As such, it stands today in rude health, and is ready to be jumped in and enjoyed.

This Bentley Super Sports is a truly special car. Not only is it truly unique, it has also been built with the utmost care and attention. And it’s been kept in regular use by the sounds of things, meaning that this isn’t some fragile old antique – this is a car that begs you to take it out and drive it properly. And when you do, you can be safe in the knowledge that there is no other car like it. Those turning heads, those pointing fingers, they will be witness to a one of a kind machine. And presumably, witness to you smiling gleefully as you roar by!