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Shortly after the armistice in 1919, WO Bentley, together with a group including Frank Burgess (formerly of Humber) and Harry Varley (formerly of Vauxhall), set about designing a high quality sporting tourer, for production under the name Bentley.
The first Bentley Motors Ltd was founded in 1919, and between then and 1931, WO created the motors cars which became a legend. It wasn't until 1928 that Woolf Barnato became a fully-fledged part of the group of rich amateur drivers known as the Bentley Boys. Bentley racing proved highly successful in the late 1920's including victories at Brookland and in 1929 the Team's best ever result were at LeMans, with Bentleys placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th. In 1931 Bentley was acquired by Rolls-Royce and thereafter the company focused mainly on passenger car production.
This concealed Drophead Coupe was built by H.J. Mulliner and is one of only five built in 1938. The reputation for speed and fine handling accorded the 3-liter was even more enhanced with the 4 Litre and, as before, leading coachbuilders provided a variety of saloon, drophead coupe and touring bodywork; around a third of all customers, however, opted for Park Ward's saloon, this style being the closest Rolls-Royce came to series production pre-war.
From the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby the second model to bear the Bentley label was the Bentley 4¼ Litre. Within a short period, sales of the 3½ Litre declined and in fact the Bentley 4¼-Litre had become its substitute. The MR and MX chassis series introduced in 1939 were the final development of this model. Features such as overdrive top gear as standard and improved white metal bearings made the car idea, then and now, for unstressed long distance Continental touring.
A total of 1,241 (other sources say 1,235) Derby 4¼ Litre Bentley's were built between 1936 and 1939.
The first Bentley Motors Ltd was founded in 1919, and between then and 1931, WO created the motors cars which became a legend. It wasn't until 1928 that Woolf Barnato became a fully-fledged part of the group of rich amateur drivers known as the Bentley Boys. Bentley racing proved highly successful in the late 1920's including victories at Brookland and in 1929 the Team's best ever result were at LeMans, with Bentleys placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th. In 1931 Bentley was acquired by Rolls-Royce and thereafter the company focused mainly on passenger car production.
This concealed Drophead Coupe was built by H.J. Mulliner and is one of only five built in 1938. The reputation for speed and fine handling accorded the 3-liter was even more enhanced with the 4 Litre and, as before, leading coachbuilders provided a variety of saloon, drophead coupe and touring bodywork; around a third of all customers, however, opted for Park Ward's saloon, this style being the closest Rolls-Royce came to series production pre-war.
From the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby the second model to bear the Bentley label was the Bentley 4¼ Litre. Within a short period, sales of the 3½ Litre declined and in fact the Bentley 4¼-Litre had become its substitute. The MR and MX chassis series introduced in 1939 were the final development of this model. Features such as overdrive top gear as standard and improved white metal bearings made the car idea, then and now, for unstressed long distance Continental touring.
A total of 1,241 (other sources say 1,235) Derby 4¼ Litre Bentley's were built between 1936 and 1939.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley 4.25-Liter
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Coupé by de Villars Chassis#: B1LE Sold for USD$74,902 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sedanca Coupé by Gurney Nutting Chassis#: B187LE Sold for USD$323,766 2020 RM Sothebys : London Online | |
1938 Bentley 4 ¼-litre Chassis#: B66LS Sold for USD$70,049 2020 Bonhams July Motoring Auction | |
1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre Open Tourer Sold for USD$78,547 2019 Shannons - Sydney Autumn Classic | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 L Coupé Vanvooren Chassis#: B-132-LS Sold for USD$341,040 2018 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Sportsman's Coupe by De Villars Chassis#: B8MR Sold for USD$181,176 2017 Coys : Thoroughbred & Vintage at Fontwell House | |
1938 BENTLEY 4¼ LITRE MR OVERDRIVE Chassis#: B28MR Sold for USD$112,990 2017 Coys Blenheim Palace | |
1938 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE 'HIGH VISION' COUPÉ Chassis#: B83LE Sold for USD$146,259 2015 Bonhams : The December Sale | |
1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: B145KU Sold for USD$58,626 2013 H & H Auctions - Chateau Impney | |
1937 Bentley 4¼-Litre Concealed Head Coupe by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: B92LS Sold for USD$341,000 2013 RM Auctions - Monterey | |
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre 'High Vision' Sports Saloon Chassis#: B28MR Sold for USD$104,716 2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre All-Weather Tourer by Thrupp & Maberly Chassis#: B137LE Sold for USD$225,500 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1938 Bentley 4 ¼ litre Chassis#: B125LE Sold for USD$213,136 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | |
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé Chassis#: B199LE Sold for USD$145,066 2012 Bonhams - Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Cabriolet Chassis#: B125LE Sold for USD$234,888 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre All-Weather Cabriolet Chassis#: B190LS Sold for USD$137,500 2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | |
1938 Bentley 4¼ litre MX Vanden Plus Open Tourer Chassis#: B117MX Sold for USD$235,842 2008 Coys Auction -Brands Hatch | |
1938 Bentley 4 ¼ Brougham Semi Razor Edge Saloon Chassis#: B162 KT Sold for USD$86,278 2006 Coys Auction - True Greats |
Bentley 4.25-Liters That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Coupé | B8MR | 2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
1938 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE CABRIOLET | B154LS | 2020 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | $300,000 | $500,000 | |
1938 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE FOUR-DOOR CABRIOLET | B125LE | 2020 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | $240,000 | $300,000 | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Boattail Speedster | B161LE | 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction | |||
1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre James Young Sedanca Coupe | B72MR | 2017 H & H Auctions Imperial War MuseumDuxford | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Coupe by De VillarsLot | B-8-MR | 2015 Silverstone Auction Classic Sale | $115,000 | $135,000 | |
1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre Sports Saloon | B145KU | 2014 H & H Auctions Chateau Impney | |||
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Drop Head Coupe | B153LE | 2012 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auction | $150,000 | $250,000 | |
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Coupe | B8MR | 2011 Bonhams The December Sale | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Fixed Head Coupe | 2010 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auctions | $250,000 | $325,000 | ||
1938 Bentley 4 ¼-Liter Derby Special | B183KU | 2005 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley Motor Cars and Related Automobilia | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
1938 Bentley 4 ¼-Liter Derby Special | B183KU | 2005 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
1938 BENTLEY 4 1/4 LITER CABRIOLET | 2003 Bonhams MOTOR CARS | $140,000 | $170,000 |
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1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter
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