Description

1934 3 ½ litre Derby Bentley convertible finished in Cream and Brown with dark Tan hide interior. Chasis number B106DG was purchased by, and built for, Leslie Hawkins, an English gentleman of some repute. Being a land owner, including the village of Chaslyn Hay in Staffordshire, he also owned a tyre company and brickworks. A well-known Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts, he was close friends with the Bentley design engineer Roy Rowbottom. Between the two of them the created this unique design body with an integral boot it is shorter and lighter than a normal Derby Bentley. Once their design was completed it was built by Park Ward. As a result of the car being seen, 3 further orders were placed for the same style of body with Park Ward but none were ever built, making this a unique Derby. In 1947 BRE409 was purchased by Hid Grace the Duke of Grafton who resides at Euston Hall in Thetford, Norfolk. The Bentley was regularly used within the Dukes duties. He sold the car in 1953 to an Officer in the RAF by the name of W Hase who was based in Saffron Weldon. The car was purchased by an American cardiac surgeon and was shipped to San Antonio, Texas, USA. Dr Beller was a collector of Bentley motor cars and he has this 3 ½ totally restored by Dale Powers automotive in Florida. The car came back to the UK in 1989 since its return it has had just 3 keepers, the last for over 25 years. It has been maintained to an exceptionally high standard all its life and presents in truly stunning condition throughout. This unique Derby Bentley is suitable for any collection and is surly a future show winner.