It is said that W.O. Bentley himself regarded the 3½-Litre introduced in 1933 as the finest creation ever to carry his name. Since the model, also known as “The Silent Sports Car”, boasted far greater sporting credentials than its Rolls-Royce 20/25 HP sister, coachbuilders saw fit to predominantly supply owner-driver saloon and drophead coupé bodies. While almost half the cars built were styled by Park Ward, the example offered here was sent to North London concern, Freestone and Webb, best-known for the bodywork of Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird”. In keeping with a newfound fascination with aerodynamics at the time and fitting for a company that would produce Spitfire wing tips during World War II, the Airline Coupé was born. Other companies such as Thrupp & Maberly came up with similar designs, but arguably the greatest was the famous "Embiricos Bentley" by Marcel Pourtout, which demonstrated these aerodynamic advances at Le Mans.

An accompanying copy of the original factory data card records that chassis B11FC was paired with a 3,669-cc six-cylinder engine (stamped H8NY) and holds a 21 November 1935 delivery date. The car was destined for the Edwards dealership and supplied as stock. The first owner is shown as Mrs AB Hills of Bournemouth, with her acquiring the 3½-Litre and registering it for the road in February 1936. Ahead of being purchased by a second custodian in October 1938, this example was advertised for sale by Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealership, Jack Barclay Ltd of Hanover Square, London.

Describing the coachwork by Freestone and Webb, the listing reads: “an attractive semi-streamline Saloon Coupé seating two on adjustable bucket front seats”. The car is also noted for a sunroof over the front compartment, opening windscreen, and presentation in Maroon—“relieved with a chromium band to the waist moulding”—over Maroon leather and walnut interior woodwork. Chassis B11FC was subsequently bought in April 1940 by GR Nevill in Kent before, in September 1951, the car was purchased by Dr Bentley Phillips of Surrey.

Then painted in two-tone deep red and silver over a green leather interior, the Bentley joined The Best of British Collection in September 2009. Today, the metalwork is largely intact, while numerous components accompany the sale. All told, this makes for an intriguing restoration project to resurrect the Airline Coupé.