Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter background image

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter Derby Drophead Coupe

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter Navigation
The Bentley 4 1/2 liter came into existence to fill a void left by the 3-liter and the 6.5-liter variants. The 3-liter suffered from underperformance while the 6.5-liter was unsafe for the roads. The 6.5-liter was powerful, and with poor road-conditions often caused tires to fail quickly. The solution was the Bentley 4.5-liter; a vehicle that had enough power to carry the vehicle down the road at a good pace. The chassis consists of channel-steel, front and rear suspension by semi-elliptic leaf springs, and 4-wheel drum brakes.

Production amounted to a total of 733 cars of all body styles. Fifty-four cars were equipped with the famous supercharged engine, 'Blower Bentleys,' built by the race driver Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin as a private venture - against W.O. Bentley's wishes.

A rare, 'Derby Bentley,' this lovely Cabriolet is one of 200 and has a coach-built body by the well-respected, Carlton company. For thiry years prior to the Silverstone's purchase, the President of the Rolls-Royce Club of America owned the car.

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 Sports Saloon by Park Ward
Chassis#: B133LE
Sold for USD$22,354
  2024 RM Sothebys : London
 
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Two-Seater Sports by Abbey
Chassis#: B180LS
Sold for USD$82,500
  2024 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Coupé by de Villars
Chassis#: B1LE
Sold for USD$74,902
  2024 RM Sothebys : Paris
1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  
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 4.25-Liter image  1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  
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 4.25-Liter image  1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  
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 4.25-Liter image  1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter image  
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 4.25-Liter image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé Coachwork by Vanden PlasB118LS2025 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting $80,000$100,000
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé Coachwork by Park WardB78MR2025 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting $150,000$200,000
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Disappearing Hood Sports TourerB190LS2025 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting $80,000$100,000
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre CoupéB8MR2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek $140,000$160,000
1938 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE CABRIOLETB154LS2020 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale $300,000$500,000
1938 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE FOUR-DOOR CABRIOLETB125LE2020 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale $240,000$300,000
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Boattail SpeedsterB161LE2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction   
1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre James Young Sedanca CoupeB72MR2017 H & H Auctions Imperial War MuseumDuxford $180,000$220,000
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Coupe by De VillarsLotB-8-MR2015 Silverstone Auction Classic Sale $115,000$135,000
1938 Bentley 4.25 Litre Sports SaloonB145KU2014 H & H Auctions Chateau Impney   
1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Drop Head CoupeB153LE2012 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auction $150,000$250,000
1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre CoupeB8MR2011 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 SpecialB183KU2005 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley Motor Cars and Related Automobilia $40,000$50,000
1938 Bentley 4 ¼-Liter Derby SpecialB183KU2005 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

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $160,807 range.
2019 Jaguar XE SV Project 8
Chassis#:SAJAP4FE0KS487851
Sold for $159,600
2025 Broad Arrow Auctions : Las Vegas
1967 Shelby GT350
Chassis#:67200F5A01493
Sold for $160,851
2025 RM Sothebys : Munich
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe
Chassis#:1g1y52d94k5800405
Sold for $162,250
2025 Mecum : Indy Fall Special
1958 Chevrolet Impala 'Tri-Power' Convertible
Chassis#:F58F168597
Sold for $159,600
2025 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Chassis#:11102612002345
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Monterey
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Chassis#:59E017880
Sold for $162,400
2025 Bonhams : Quail
1933 Cadillac 355C V-8 Roadster
Sold for $162,400
2025 Gooding Co : Pebble Beach
1921 Paige 6-66 Daytona Speedster
Chassis#:130345D
Sold for $162,400
2025 Broad Arrow : Monterey
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Convertible
Chassis#:11102722001502
Sold for $162,352
2025 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed
1970 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible
Chassis#:rm27v0g196699
Sold for $162,250
2025 Mecum : Tulsa
2014 Audi R8 Spyder
Chassis#:wuatnafg7en001426
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Indy
2021 Ford Shelby GT500
Sold for $162,250
2025 Mecum : Indy
1970 Pontiac GTO Judge
Chassis#:2423701116513
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Indy
1931 Ford Model A Custom Roadster
Chassis#:2591003
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Indy
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Chassis#:194677s103428
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Indy
1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T
Chassis#:js23r0b199884
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Indy
1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
Chassis#:e54s004273
Sold for $159,500
2025 Mecum : Indy
1995 Nissan Skyline 'Type R33' GT-R V-Spec N1 '400R Tribute'
Chassis#:BCNR33006529
Sold for $162,400
2025 Bonhams : Miami Auction
2024 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 COLLECTORS EDITION
Chassis#:1G1FJ1R6XR0100021
Sold for $161,700
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
1971 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV
Chassis#:U15GLL67779
Sold for $159,500
2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Bentley 4.25-Liter model years

1938 Bentley 4.25-Liter Vehicle Profiles

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.