Bentley 3.5 Litre

Infobox Automobile


name=Bentley 3½ Litre
aka=Bentley 4¼ Litre
manufacturer=Bentley
production=1933–1939
2411 produced
class=Luxury car
predecessor=Bentley 4 Litre
successor=Bentley Mark V
engine=3.7 L I6
4.25 L I6
wheelbase=126 in (3200 mm)The 3½ Litre (and later 4¼ Litre) was the first Bentley to be developed by new owner Rolls-Royce. Released in 1933, it became the "entry level" car that the 4 Litre failed to become. With good performance and a low-profile look, the 3½ Litre became known as the "silent sports car."

3½ Litre

Based on an experimental Rolls-Royce with a supercharged 2¾ L engine, the 3½ Litre was finally fitted with Rolls' straight-6 developed from the Rolls-Royce Twenty. Actual power output was roughly 110 bhp (82 kW) at 4500 rpm, allowing the car to reach 90 mph (145 km/h). The engine displaced 3.7 L (3669 cc/223 in³) with a 3¼ in (82.5 mm) bore and 4½ in (114.3 mm) stroke. A 4-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on 3rd and 4th, 4-wheel leaf spring suspension, and 4-wheel mechanical servo-assisted brakes were all common Rolls-Royce parts. The complete driveable chassis, ready for delivery to the customer's chosen coachbuilder, weighed 2510lbs.

1177 3½ Litre cars were built, with about half of them being bodied by Park Ward.

4¼ Litre

Beginning in March, 1936, a 4¼ Litre version of the car was offered as replacement for the 3½ Litre, in order to offset the increasing weight of coachwork and maintain the car's sporting image. The engine was bored to 3½ in (88.9 mm) for a total of 4.3 L (4257 cc/259 in³). From 1938 the MR and MX series cars featured Marles steering and an overdrive gearbox.

1234 4¼ Litre cars were built, with Park Ward remaining the most popular coachbuilder. Many cars were bodied in steel rather than the previous, more expensive, aluminium over ash frame construction.

A Drophead 4¼ Litre was featured as James Bond's car in "Never Say Never Again".