The Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia

History of this Vehicle

The unintended restoration of a classic.

Derby Bentley 1934 Hooper Sports Saloon B37CW was one of those lucky “barn finds” because the car was preserved in absolutely original condition.  I found it in 2005 where it was hidden in the late 1960s.

This was Edward Guest’s of Edinburgh first new Derby and he ordered another three all with the same body design – see Neill Fraser’s B27JY in his Bentley Beauty book.  It has a Hooper aluminium swept tail body, an early fastback and featured in the notable books The Silent Sports Car and Great Cars of the Golden Era.

 The car looked innocent in its cracked, shiny paint but it hid some well-disguised, dodgy repairs.  A small re-paint job turned into a 3-year complete personal restoration and mechanical rebuild.  This was a labour of love as the mechanical work on Royce’s cars is as great a pleasure as the motoring, especially if the car is very original and unmolested. All the mechanical and body component numbers match the Bentley Motors Build sheet. The front brake hub even had the rarely found lead warranty seal.

 The engine bits were just within acceptable wear limits but the crankshaft’s 0.004” whip (which happens even with 7 main bearings) suggested it would be best to do a complete engine overhaul.  This extended to all the ancillaries and clutch.  Later, when a half shaft broke I decided to fit a higher ratio crown wheel.  Whilst I was waiting for the diff bits I overhauled the gearbox with new bearings.  Oh, might as well re-core the radiator and make a new stainless exhaust at the same time.

  The sunroof channels needed repair so the whole turret, from the windscreen to the tail, was removed.  This exposed a very well preserved ash frame, requiring only a few pieces to be replaced.  The original mahogany floorboards are in great condition but the delaminated plywood in the back were renewed and the whole lot fitted with new felt strips.  All body panels were stripped back to shiny aluminium before re-painting in 2 tone grey blues.  Panels were fitted with sound deadening material and windows replaced with lighter, toughened glass.   It was all re-wired with correct colour coded wire and the ends whipped with cotton thread. Front and rear indicators were fitted without any new lights to keep the appearance as it was in 1934.

 The whole interior was re-upholstered in leather, Wilton carpet and silk blind.  The wood trim and instruments were brought back to their former glory.  All this made the chrome look tatty so all bright things were chrome or silver-plated

Seat belts have been discreetly fitted to the front and rear and the front seats secured to the floor and to the chassis.

 The first outing was on the Australian Derby 75^th rally which I organised.

The car has now covered about 5000 miles and is going exceptionally well – touch wood!  The slipper drive is quietly working and compressions are matching.  An absolute pleasure to drive and to behold. 

Noel McIntosh 2010

To see the restoration of this vehicle Click here

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