1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter Drophead Coupe / B92LS Chassis Information

Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: B92LS
Engine #: G8BG
Registration #: GPB 785

Sold for $341,000 at 2013 RM Auctions - Monterey.
This 1938 Bentley 4.25 was bodied by H.J. Mulliner and features a unique one-off disappearing top. The car was initially sold by the famous Rolls-Royce/Bentley dealer Jack Barclay of London, England. Their emblem remains attached to the front bumper.

This car is believed to have participated in the 1939 Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Brighton Rally and is featured in Johnnie Green's book 'BENTLEY Fifty Years of the Marque.'

Only 2,141 4.25 W.O Bentleys were designed and manufactured. They were constructed between March of 1936 and May of 1939.

Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: B92LS
Engine #: G8BG
Registration #: GPB 785

Sold for $341,000 at 2013 RM Auctions - Monterey.
The 4¼-Litre was the second Bentley-badged model, produced after Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley Motors in 1931. The first was the 3½-Litre, which shared many components with the Rolls-Royce 20/25. As roadways improved, it became clear that a more powerful version of the 3.5-liter would be needed for reliable, day-long, high-speed touring. The company considered supercharging the 3.5-liter model, but bench-testing proved disappointing. Bearings wore out quickly, and torque delivery was inconsistent. Instead, the company focused their efforts on increasing engine capacity. Bore size increased from 3¼ inches to 3½ inches resulting in a 4,257-cubice centimeter engine. Bearings were upgraded from 'white metal' to a new aluminum/tin alloy for the main and big ends. Larger valves, a larger oil sump, bigger carburetors, and longer air silencers were also fitted to the new 4¼-liter engine.

The engine was offered as an option on the last series 3½-Litre Bentleys. By 1936, the GA-series 4¼-Litre car was launched. The speed-related hydraulic damping system, introduced with the 4¼, provided a more stable ride and crisper handling.

Chassis B92LS
The original owner of this car specified Dunlop tires and that the car was to be built for 'UK Town and Touring' use. The body style is a disappearing top, drophead coupe that was designed and built by H.J. Mulliner and given the term 'concealed head.' This car is one of one hundred and two 4¼-Litre Bentley chassis bodied by the firm. Most were saloons with about 15 being drophead coupes. It is not clear how many of those 15 were built with the concealed head design.

The first owner of this car was Ernest Taylor who took delivery in Guildford, Surrey, in 1937. It was later sold to Paul Jameson, who kept it in England until 1970, when it was exported to the U.S. and sold to William Sherman, in Jamestown, New York. The car remained with Mr. Sherman until 1975 when U.S. Coast Guard Captain John Faigle, of Governor's Island, New York, bought it.

The car has since been treated to a restoration resulting in a class award at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014

2013 RM Auctions - Monterey

Sale Price :

$341,000

2019 1
2018 1
2017 2
2015 1
2013 4
2012 2
2010 2
2008 1
2006 1

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter Auction Sales

Recent Sales

(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)

1938 Bentley 4¼ Litre Open Tourer Sold for $78,547 2019 Shannons - Sydney Autumn Classic
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 L Coupé Vanvooren Chassis#: B-132-LS Sold for $341,040 2018 Artcurial : Retromobile
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Sportsman's Coupe by De Villars Chassis#: B8MR Sold for $181,176 2017 Coys : Thoroughbred & Vintage at Fontwell House
1938 BENTLEY 4¼ LITRE MR OVERDRIVE Chassis#: B28MR Sold for $112,990 2017 Coys Blenheim Palace
1938 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE 'HIGH VISION' COUPÉ Chassis#: B83LE Sold for $146,259 2015 Bonhams : The December Sale
1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: B145KU Sold for $58,626 2013 H & H Auctions - Chateau Impney
1937 Bentley 4¼-Litre Concealed Head Coupe by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: B92LS Sold for $341,000 2013 RM Auctions - Monterey
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre 'High Vision' Sports Saloon Chassis#: B28MR Sold for $104,716 2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre All-Weather Tourer by Thrupp & Maberly Chassis#: B137LE Sold for $225,500 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1938 Bentley 4 ¼ litre Chassis#: B125LE Sold for $213,136 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé Chassis#: B199LE Sold for $145,066 2012 Bonhams - Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Cabriolet Chassis#: B125LE Sold for $234,888 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre All-Weather Cabriolet Sold for $137,500 2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1938 Bentley 4¼ litre MX Vanden Plus Open Tourer Chassis#: B117MX Sold for $235,842 2008 Coys Auction -Brands Hatch
1938 Bentley 4 ¼ Brougham Semi Razor Edge Saloon Chassis#: B162 KT Sold for $86,278 2006 Coys Auction - True Greats

Vehicles That Failed To Sell

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.

Vehicle	Chassis	Event	Est. Low	Est. High
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

Comparables

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