The story of the pre-war Bentley Corniche is one enveloped in mystery and myth. Rolls-Royce's attempt to inject some joie de vivre back into its Bentley acquisition was cut short by World War Two, ending in the flames of a bombing raid as Germany invaded France. Or was it? Were there other Corniches that made it through the conflict, only to be destroyed once it was all over? Did parts survive, to be reused for the recreation reborn 80 years later for Bentley's 100th birthday? Was its creator really a dentist by day, stylist by night and later a British spy? The urban legends surrounding this very special and beautiful Bentley are many and muddled but one thing is certain; it continues to fascinate and enchant to this day.
Bentley's early, enviable reputation was forged on the racing circuits of interwar Europe but when Rolls-Royce took over the company in 1931, the marque's performance credentials began to be eroded. After production was shut down for two years and manufacture shifted from Cricklewood to the Rolls-Royce factory at Derby, the first Bentley under the new order was the 3½-Litre of 1933. It was based on the Rolls-Royce 20/25 and while it wasn't a bad model – in fact it was very good indeed, given thathe may have said so through gritted teeth, given that he was an unhappy Rolls-Royce employee at the time and soon to jump ship to join Lagonda). For many, this ‘Silent Sports Car' had shed something of the gungho character, individuality and sheer physicality of its Flying B predecessors.
