1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Images, Information and History (Derby, 4.25 Litre, HK Series)

1937 4¼ Liter

1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter news, pictures, and information
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Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: James Young
Chassis Num: APN 107

In 1931, Bentley production moved to the Rolls-Royce factory at Derby, England, following the acquisition of Bentley by Rolls-Royce. The cars which followed were known as 'Derby Bentleys' as opposed to the earlier cars which came from the original Bentley works in Cricklewood, London. The first Derby was launched in 1933. In the mid thirties the Mark IV with a 4.25 liter six cylinder engine was produced.

APN 107
The 4.25 liter cars were very popular in their era, selling some 400 models per year, and this model is one of 13 drophead coupes built by coachbuilder James Young. This car is one of two similar designs, the other built for the famous racing driver Prince Bira of Thailand. The current owners, Robert and Ann Franz, have recorded more than 40,000 miles of its total 160,000 miles, and the car has never been restored.

Sports Coupe
Coachwork: Vanden Plas

In 1931, Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley out of receivership. Their client base dwindled because the cars were so well designed and constructed they rarely needed replacement.

This 1936 Bentley is powered by a naturally aspirated 4,257-cc six-cylinder, overhead valve engine, featuring two SU carburetors and produces 125 horsepower. The front-engine designed was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox that drove the rear wheels. Its sports coachwork is by Vanden Plas.

It could achieve 60 mph in around 14 seconds with the top speed just below 100 mph. Production ran from 1936 through 1939, during which over 1,240 examples were produced. Up until this time, this was the most vehicles of a single series Bentley had ever produced.
By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2007

Barker Sunroof Coupe
Coachwork: Barker
Chassis Num: B46 JD

Built only five years after designer W.O. Bentley sold his company to Rolls-Royce in 1931, the Bentley 4.25-Liter reflected elements of W.O's influence, but was a Rolls-Royce at heart. Distinguished by its startling quiet six-cylinder overhead-valve powerplant, the Bentley earned a nickname that the marketing department used frequently - 'The Silent Sports Car.' At its top speed of nearly 100 mph, some drivers weren't even sure that the engine was running - the elegant car ran that speed at just under 4,000 rpm. Its road performance was no less subtle, with nimble cornering and virtually invisible roll, characteristics that most cars of the era couldn't even achieve, let along refine. Although there were numerous body styles provided by a legion of custom coachbuilders, each shared the fine crease in the fender arches, the art deco curves of the running board ridges, and the elegant but simple ribbing of the Bentley grille.

Two Seat Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas

This car was first owned by the Countess of Warwick. The body was ordered by the London Bentley agent Jack Barclay Limited as an exclusive design from Vanden Plas. After several more owners the car was brought to the United Sates in 1959. Its current owner bought the car in 1970. Since then it has been the subject of a continuous restoration effort to bring the car back to its original color and condition. Two Derby Bentleys were built with this body style, but there are some differences between them so this car is unique. One rare and unusual feature on this car is the single-winged flying B on the radiator cap, this was the original mascot design by Charles Skyes and it appeared on less than 100 Derby Bentleys.

Two Seat Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas

This is one of 200 Rolls-Royce-built Derby Bentleys with coachwork by Vanden Plas. In 1910 the British Vanden Plas Company was established just outside London. They built nearly a quarter of all the Bentleys ever built, starting with the W.O. vintage cars and including the Derby-era Bentleys. Derby Bentleys were often referred to as 'The Silent Sports Car,' beginning with the 1933 3.5-litre cars even before the larger 4.5-Litre engine was introduced in 1936. A total of 1,241 4.25-Litre Bentleys were built at the Derby factory. This 4.25-Litre tourer was built in May 1936 and is identical to one built for land speed record-holder Sir Malcolm Campbell.

Pillarless Coupe
Coachwork: Gurney Nutting

Bentley had a reputation for their racing success. Bentley was at the top of the British sports car market in the 1930s, with few competitors other than Bugatti and Hispano-Suiza. In 1931, Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley and has been owned by Volkswagen since 1998.

The Bentley 4.25 Litre used a Rolls-Royce chassis and a modified 20/25 6-cylinder engine equipped with twin S.U. carburetors producing about 125 horsepower and capable of 90 mph. it rode on a 126-inch wheelbase chassis with leaf springs and solid axles and 18 inch wheels. It was introduced in 1936 at a price of 1,150 pounds with coachwork an additional 400 pounds in the case of this car. Only 1,234 were built before production ended in 1939.

This car is one of six designed by John Blatchley, noted British automotive designer and built by British coachbuilder, Gurney, Nutting. Only three are known to survive. It was previously owned by one of the founding members of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club.

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

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1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter news, pictures, and information