 1936 4¼ Liter | 1938 4¼-Liter  | 1938 4.5-Liter |
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1937 Bentley 4¼ Liter news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Drop Head Coupe Coachwork: Mulliner |
This car also marked the beginning of the use of externally contracted components. Previously, Bentley manufactured all its own parts, but beginning in 1936, they used SU fuel pumps, Lucas electrics, a Stromberg carburetor, a Borg & Beck clutch, Marles steering gear and a Hardy Spicer Propeller shaft.
The particular car, first registered in November of 1937, sports an all-aluminium, full-disappearing drop head coupe body. The coachwork was built by H.J. Mulliner of London. It is a wonderful example of a Bentley, the 'Silent Sports Car'.
 |  |  | Fixed Head Coupe Coachwork: Vesters & Neirinck Chassis Num: B156KT Engine Num: E9BH Build Num: B3044 |
| Sold for $1,265,000 at 2006 RM Auctions. Sold for $1,320,000 at 2009 Gooding & Company. | |||
Bentley had a long tradition of quality and superior performance. This goal was to be continued with the Litre-series. As engines grew in size, so did the size of the vehicles and ultimately, the weight. The Bentley Motor Company realized this and made every effort to protect sophistication, performance, style, refinement, quality, and handling.
The Rolls-Royce 20/25 engine was used as a base for Bentley. Dual S.U. carburetors and a revised manifold raised horsepower to 110. A four-speed manual gearbox was adapted and provided smooth shifting.
The original engine was a 3.5 liter unit which was flawless in design with only one exception - it was too small. As time progressed, the engine was enlarged, resulting in the 4.5- 6.5- and 8 liter Bentley's.
Claude Raoul Benoit Lang commissioned two one-off Bentley's during the late 1930s. At the age of 27 he sent one of the chassis's to Vesters & Neirinck to be fitted with coachwork. The second was delivered less than three years later. M. Lang was actively involved in the design of the car and built to his specifications.
The early history of the Vesters & Neirinck Coachbuilding Firm is unknown. It is believed to have begun around 1914. In 1923 the Vester & Neirinck Firm was an exhibitor at the Belgian Auto Salon. From the following years, the firm would show their work to various shows in an effort to attract new clientele. Their vehicles were often built atop chassis's by Minerva, Rolls-Royce, Delahaye, Delage, and Graham. Their most notable work was the Lang Fixed Head Coupe. Also part of their resume was around 11 examples built with Derby Bentley's chassis.
This 1937 Bentley 4.25 Liter Fixed Head Sport Coupe with coachwork by Vesters & Neirinck of Brussels was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA where it was one of the highlights of the show. Its history is prestigious and the craftsmanship is unique and refined. It is powered by a 4257-cc six-cylinder overhead valve engine that produces 125 horsepower. It sits atop a 126-inch wheelbase and is finished in black lacquer paintwork with saddle leather interior. There is seating for two and is bodied with a light aluminum body and steel front wings. The teardrop style wings appear as though they are suspended in space; they are not attached to any running boards as there is none on this vehicle. It has a large sunroof and hidden luggage compartment. There is an interior hidden tool compartment and exterior chrome luggage rack. The rear-mounted spare tire cover has an engraved monogram from the original owner on the side of the chrome faring.
The vehicle stayed in the possession of M. Claude Lang until 1977 when it was sold to Monsieur J. who retained the vehicle until 1989 when it was sent to its third owner. The vehicle has traveled less than 35,100 kms from new. When offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction marked its first time on the US soil. The vehicle did find its fourth owner at the auction, selling for $1,265,000.
In 2009, this car was brought to Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction where it had an estimated value of $900,000 - $1,400,000. It was sold for $1.2 million at the hammer. It was also announced that this Bentley had an invitation to the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
 |  |  | Saloon Coachwork: Mann-Edgerton |
This chassis was built in January 1937, then shipped to Mann-Edgerton to receive its coachwork - a four-passenger, light, sliding head sport saloon, with 'semi-razor edge' styling.
Since receiving a complete restoration more than 15 years ago this Bentley has received numerous awards but, perhaps more significantly, its owner has chosen to tour with it extensively throughout North America and Europe.
 |  |  | Sedanca Coupe Coachwork: Gurney Nutting |
 |  |  | Sedanca Coupe Coachwork: Gurney Nutting Chassis Num: B70KT Engine Num: M2BY |
This example, chassis number B70KT, was completed in July of 1937 and was given a Gurney Nutting Sedanca Coupe body. It was delivered to Bentley dealership Jack Barclay Ltd. of London and subsequently sold to H.B. Mollins. The history of the car from that point is unclear. Sometime after World War II, the car was exported to the United States.
In the late 1960s, the car was in the care of Robert P. Whorf of Birmingham, Michigan, having acquired it from Gilbert Moorman. The next owner was James S. Dusseau and remained in Michigan until 1976. It was then purchased by Karl Zoller of Pennsylvania, who then set out to restore the car. It was sold in 2000 to Thomas J. Gatley, who in turn sold it to Mr. Henry Petronis.
It currently wears a 30-year old restoration. In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction where it was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $400,000. It would leave the auction unsold after its reserve was not met.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
 |  | Fixed Head Coupe Coachwork: Gurney Nutting Chassis Num: B 4 5HM |
The original owners of the car kept it for around 35 years. Later in life, it was treated to a restoration to original specification, with caramel-coloured leather highlighting the woodwork of the interior.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at Coys 'Legende et Passion' Monaco sale where it was estimated to sell for €175.000 - €220.000.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2012
 |  |  | Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Windovers |
This Derby Bentley was ordered by Sir Malcolm McAlpine with drophead coupe coachwork by Windovers of Huntingdon. A total of 1,234 Derby Bentley 4.25-liter cars were built before the outbreak of war in 1939 when car production was halted until 1946 and the more modern Mark VI.
Bentley Motors was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1931. One of the first of the Bentley vehicles produced after this merge was the 1933 3-1/2 Liter, a vehicle similar to the Rolls Royce 20/25. Bentley automobiles personified racing and the 3 1/2 Liter vehicle followed this tradition. It had a more powerful engine than its 20/25 counterpart. This had been achieved by adding a second carburetor and modification of the compression ratio.
Rolls Royce introduced the 25/30 in 1936 and Bentley introduced its counterpart, the 4 1/4 Liter. The Bentley featured 2 SU carburetors and a naturally aspirated straight-six engine producing 125 horsepower. It could achieve sixty mph in around fourteen seconds with the top speed just below 100 mph. The front-engine designed was matted to a four-speed manual gearbox and drove the rear wheels. Production lasted from 1936 through 1939 during which over 1240 examples were produced. This was the most vehicles of a single series Bentley had ever produced up to this time.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
Rolls Royce introduced the 25/30 in 1936 and Bentley introduced its counterpart, the 4 1/4 Liter. The Bentley featured 2 SU carburetors and a naturally aspirated straight-six engine producing 125 horsepower. It could achieve sixty mph in around fourteen seconds with the top speed just below 100 mph. The front-engine designed was matted to a four-speed manual gearbox and drove the rear wheels. Production lasted from 1936 through 1939 during which over 1240 examples were produced. This was the most vehicles of a single series Bentley had ever produced up to this time.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
| Coys Legende et Passion Auction | |
 | The catalogue for Coy's international auction, Legende et Passion, held in Monaco on Saturday 12th May 2012, is now available online to Club members at www.coys.co.uk. This is a very significant European headline auction, held against the backdrop of the Historic Grand Prix de Monaco, and is one of the most important European sales to be held this year. Viewing is on: Thursday 10th May from 12 noon to 6:00pm Friday 11th May from 11.00am - 7:00 pm Saturday 12th May from ...[Read more...] |
| RM Auctions' Don Davis Collection Attracts Texas-Size Bids | |
 | • RM Auctions posts over $21.2 million at the record-breaking sale of the distinguished Don Davis Collection, April 27 in Fort Worth, Texas • Top seller: a rare 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS sold for $1,936,000, to establish a new auction record • Five lots achieve million-dollar-plus results, with numerous auction records shattered • Toyota 2000GT enters history books with seven-figure sales price • Exceptional collection attracts bidders from 14 countries around the world FORT WORTH, Texas (A...[Read more...] |
| RM To Sell Magnificent 1905 Fiat 60HP | |
 | MAGNIFICENT 1905 FIAT 60HP HEADS LIST OF INCREDIBLE NEW ENTRIES FOR RM'S SALE DURING THE CONCORSO D'ELEGANZA VILLA D'ESTE WEEKEND • RM Auctions announces additional stunning consignments for its forthcoming sale during the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este weekend, 25th May • Offered for sale publicly for the first time in 108 years, this thundering and unique early 60HP FIAT presents collectors with the rarest of opportunities to buy a piece of motoring history • A simply exquisite and...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach Automotive Week: An Expression of Fascinating Design and Innovation | |
 | •Historical Tribute to SL: W194 Chassis No. 2, 7 and 11 among 300SL vehicles on display •The Concept Style Coupé opens a new chapter and generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles •AMG 45 year anniversary highlights the pinnacle of performance and style A tribute to Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters is set for Pebble Beach Automotive Week with three 1952 W194 vehicles among a mix of vintage and new vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that express the marque's breadth and depth of fascinating desi...[Read more...] |
| Another Race, Another Winner, Another Packed Day In The Paddock | |
 | Pretty much the whole of F1 agreed that Maldonado's pole and win was a fitting tribute to his team owner Sir Frank Williams who is 70 this week. However, a fire in the team garage as the Paddock packed down took away some of the shine from their deserved celebrations. As well as a great drive by Maldonado, who battled to keep Alonso off his rear wing all afternoon, this again played out as a great racing spectacle: including Michael Schumacher colliding with Bruno Senna right in the path of ...[Read more...] |
| Formula One - Spanish Grand Prix | |
 | Kimi Raikkonen bagged his second podium on the trot in Barcelona, charging hard to finish third behind first time grand prix winner Pastor Maldonado and, by just half a second, Fernando Alonso. The Finn was disappointed not to finish on the top step, though, claiming that the Lotus E20 had the potential to have won every race this year so far. Nevertheless, he is now fourth in the Drivers' Championship, just 12 points behind leaders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Starting on the sec...[Read more...] |
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| 1936 4¼ Liter | 1938 4¼-Liter | 1938 4.5-Liter |
