The Bentleys produced in tandem with Rolls-Royce in the 1930s are commonly referred to as a “Derby,” since they were built in the shared Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors Works in Derbyshire, England.

The 3½-Litre Bentley was introduced to the public at Ascot Race Course in August 1933.

Powered by a larger and sportier version of the small Rolls-Royce 20/25 engine, it was well-received by the press and public alike, and 1,191 were sold between 1933 and 1937, overlapping the 4¼-Litre Bentley, which replaced it.

Rolls-Royce had acquired Bentley Motors in 1931 in a hand-shake agreement with W.O.

Bentley, promising to continue to produce cars with the Bentley badge.

Promising to do so was one thing, but actually doing it was another.

The company struggled for two years to design and produce an appropriate car that would respect the “W.O.

Bentley” sporting and racing heritage rather than the more stately cars carrying the Rolls-Royce badge.

The early 1930s were challenging times financ...