Biddle Special B3GP

Martin Webster · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 9:55 am Post subject: Biddle Special B3GP

A friend has just acquired a basket case special restoration which was originally planned to have been fitted with RJ Biddle Alfa Romeo sports two seater coachwork. Unfortunately, this was never finished and he is about to embark on the rebuild. The chassis is B3GP and it looks as though the original 4.25L engine A3BH has been replaced. The chassis was originally supplied to Jack Barclay in 1936 and was a Thrupp and Maberly Sports Saloon registered JB1000. It's later registration is DJJ 172. It is described briefly in my first edition of "Bentley Specials" but not in detail. If anyone can shine any light on its previous history we would be very grateful.
B88HR

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 3:20 pm Post subject:

Apart from HG Offiler and later Mallinson, with a picture as the saloon, that is all I know,or Bernard King does!

An expensive project looms, so a lot of weaving involved.

Martin Webster · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 9:15 am Post subject:

Thank you Chris . We have the original owner but like many of these Derby cars, B3GP undoubtedly underwent a 'dark period' in its history but if any more information comes to light I will post it here.
B88HR

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 1:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Martin,

FWIW, BS&SB2 simply references the entry in Vol1. Sounds like an interesting project.

It seems to me that the secret to a successful Derby project is to set a generous budget, especially if completion is to be achieved in a reasonable time-frame. I'm guessing Antoine de Saint-Exupery may not have had the Derby Bentley in mind when he wrote, "A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

Is your friend a BDC member? (you can guess what would follow an answer in the affirmative; can we feature his car in the Specials Group newsletter?)

Do keep us informed, anyway.

Stephen

Martin Webster · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 1:06 pm Post subject:

Stephen, Thank you for your reply. At the moment, it really is a basket case restoration. Everything is in boxes and baskets. My colleague is certainly under no illusion regarding the magnitude of this task but equally he is a very capable engineer so I am confident that with the necessary practical input on the one hand and the fiscal output on the other he will make a very fine job of the car. At present he is not a BDC member but I will attempt to pursuade him of the obvious advantages and of the expertise available from other members. Will report back when I hear of his progress.
Martin
B88HR

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 2:17 pm Post subject:

Something to aim for, and those awful brakes.

I have a CD made up of detailed and dimension-ed sketch drawings of every part of the 4 1/4 litre "rolling" chassis.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:54 am Post subject:

The Ian Pitney Special on Derby Bentley, 1934 Chassis B183AE, very early.

At Historics £142,000, (below low estimate).

Why do they sell them?