1937 Bentley 4¼ Liter All-Weather Tourer / B-39-KU Vehicle Information

Sold for $173,250 at 2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction.
Bentley introduced the 4 ¼-liter model in 1936. Designated the 'K' Series, the new chassis was built in two consecutive runs, the 'KT' and the 'KU'. Derby works produced one hundred of each, with the KTs being numbered evenly and KUs being assigned odd numbers. The 4.25-liter unit was a bored out version of the 3.6-liter motor. The larger engine gave these K Bentleys a higher top speed, now approaching 100 mph, with a few streamlined racing example capable of considerably more.

Some of the improvements found on the K Bentleys included new white-metal bearings, larger SU side-draft carburetors, larger valves, and an improved scraper ring design. The generator was now air-cooled, which helped its longevity. There was a new Borg and Beck single-plate clutch and the front end was redesigned to reduce axle tramp under hard braking.

Bentley produced a total of 1,234 examples of the 4 ¼-liter specification, with later-series chassis being given an overdrive transmission.

It was delivered to Bentley's London distributor, Rootes Ltd and then to Thrupp & Maberly, Ltd. on July 2, 1937. The first owner was Captain Charles William Spiers, MP, of New Malden, Surrey. It is believed that the car remained with Captain Spiers for more than three decades.

It is believed that the engine was overhauled in 1977 by Mr. Stanley Brunt of Staffordshire, England.

The car was later acquired by Mr. Arthur B. Mullaly of Carmel, California, and then by Seattle newspaperman Monty Brown. Mr. Brown sold the car to Seattle auto dealer and collector Wade Carter in August of 1995, at which time the car showed 95,600 miles on the odometer. After Mr. Carter's passing, the Bentley remained with his family, until coming to Bonhams Amelia Island Auction in 2016.

This Bentley All-Weather Phaeton has a green body with dark green fenders, and polished full wheel discs. The interior is trimmed in brown leather with a tan canvas top and boot. It has its owner's manual, tool kit, and a set of fitted luggage. The overhead valve six-cylinder engine is fitted with two SU carburetors and produces an estimated 125 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drum brakes, beam axle in the front, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016