No. made : 1,177
Engine : 6 cylinder in-line configuration.
Bore & Stroke : 3 1/4" x 4 1/2"
c.c. : 3,669
Transmission : Single
dry-plate type clutch, 4 speeds and reverse, synchromesh
on 3rd and 4th gear
Chassis : Pressed-steel
parallel girder with channel and tubular crossmembers,
downswept between axles to achieve
low centre of gravity, semi-elliptic springs front
and rear.
Dimensions : Wheelbase 126"
Performance : Max. speed 92.2 mph (148.4 km/h)
This newcomer was a clever combination
of the completely new chassis from the
Peregrine project and the proven
engine from the 20/25.
Learning by experience that when
using a supercharger neither smoothness nor longevity
could hope to match Rolls-Royce's
standards, the board of directors stopped any further
developments in this direction.
Instead the engine of the
20/25 was adopted. Using
a crossflow cylinder head, re-profiled camshaft and employment of two carburettors,assisted
by an increase in compression, the six cylinder's output was raised to
some
120 bhp. The power figure of the
basic
engine did not exceed more than
about 80 hp.
The 3 1/2 Litre Bentley met with
general acclaim, because it fulfilled the
wish for
a powerful motor car of exceptional
fine handling. Many of the first bodies were built as cabriolets,
but before long, closed versions
in the form of sports salooons and coupes also became accepted
as suitable attire for the 3 1/2
Litre. These were manufactured mainly by Park
Ward.