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1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Airflow Saloon

Gurney Nuttings chief designer, A.F. McNeil, penned the Airflow Saloon for the Bentley 4¼-Litre chassis. McNeil was also the creator of such famous bodies as the Maharaja of Indore's Duesenberg Model SJ. He was a pioneer of British streamlining, with flowing designs and aerodynamic shapes. Just two examples of the 4¼-Litre chassis received this particular Airflow saloon design. This particular example originally had open rear fenders, with the 'spats', and a single side-mounted spare. It originally had a 'steel dust' with grey leather upholstery, and was displayed on Gurney Nutting's stand at the 1936 Olympia Motor Show.

After the Olympia Motor Show, the Bentley was delivered by The Car Mart, Ltd., of London to its first owner, Major C. Watson Smythe of 'Venaur' in Lelant, West Cornwall, in March 1937. Ownership passed in 1940 to C.J. Opeenheim, and in 1943 to the third owner, V. Motion, also of London and at the time a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force. Additional British owners would care for the car through the early 1960s, including, briefly, the famous broker 'Bunty' Scott-Moncrief.

London dealers Frank Dale & Stepsons sold the car in 1967 to Art Mullaly of Carmel, California. It would remain in Mr. Mullaly's care for 14 years before selling it to West Coast Bentley collector, Gary Moore. It then passed in 1987 to Malcolm Schneer of Newport Beach.

At this point in history, car had a red exterior over beige livery. It was featured in the March 1989 issue of Car Collector magazine. Mr. Schneer exhibited the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1995, and at the Rolls-Royce Owners Club National Meet the same year.

It came into the care of a West Coast owner before being purchased by Orin Smith in 2010.

The car wears its original restoration, with the more recent addition of rear fender 'spats.' The wheels are covered by Ace wheel discs, there is an original 'sprung' steering wheel, and there is a replacement dashboard carrying correct instruments.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017

2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction

Sale Price :
USD $198,240

2018 Bonhams : Collectors Motorcars and Automobilia Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $175,000-USD $225,000 
Sale Price :
USD $190,400

2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $200,000 
Sale Price :
USD $165,000

1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Bentley 4¼ Liter

(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 BENTLEY 4-1/4 LITER PARK WARD DROPHEAD COUPE
Chassis#: B133GP
Sold for USD$55,000
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1936 Bentley 4 1/4-Litre Airflow Saloon
Chassis#: B118HK
Sold for USD$198,240
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé by Park Ward
Chassis#: B112HK
Sold for USD$147,338
  2019 RM Sothebys : London
 
1936 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Saloon
Sold for USD$42,900
  2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction
 
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas
Chassis#: B138GA
Sold for USD$417,500
  2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Pillarless Sports Saloon
Chassis#: B189GP
Sold for USD$36,960
  2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction
 
1936 Bentley 4¼ LITER AIRFLOW SALOON
Chassis#: B118HK
Sold for USD$190,400
  2018 Bonhams : Collectors Motorcars and Automobilia Auction
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Cabriolet Coachwork by Jean Antem
Chassis#: B260GA
Sold for USD$466,834
  2018 Bonhams : Zoute Sale
 
1936 Bentley 4¼ litre Sports Saloon by Park Ward
Chassis#: B170HK
Sold for USD$116,458
  2017 Historics at Brooklands - Mercedes-Benz World
 
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Airflow Saloon by Gurney Nutting
Chassis#: B118HK
Sold for USD$165,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1936 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Cabriolet
Chassis#: B260GA
Sold for USD$352,000
  2017 Gooding & Co. : Scottsdale, AZ
 
1936 Bentley 4¼ litre Saloon by Park Ward
Chassis#: B130GA
Sold for USD$74,499
  2016 Historics at Brookland
 
1936 BENTLEY 4¼ LITER TOURER
Chassis#: B 138GA
Sold for USD$660,000
  2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Racing Two-Seater
Chassis#: B186HK
Sold for USD$143,220
  2016 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
 
1936 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE 'OWEN' SEDANCA COUPÉ
Chassis#: B171HM
Sold for USD$180,139
  2015 Bonhams : The December Sale
 
1936 BENTLEY 4¼ LITER TOURER
Chassis#: B 49 GP
Sold for USD$104,500
  2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1936 Bentley 4.25 Litre Special
Chassis#: B46GA
Sold for USD$164,941
  2013 H & H Auctions - The Pavilion Gardens
 
1936 Bentley 4¼ litre Drophead Coupe by Park Ward
Sold for USD$100,000
  2012 Coy - True Greats
 
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports Saloon
Chassis#: B58GA
Sold for USD$21,508
  2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles and Automobilia
 
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Four-Seater Tourer
Chassis#: B183HM
Sold for USD$155,698
  2012 RM Auctions - London
 

Bentley 4¼ Liters That Failed To Sell At Auction

1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1936 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE RACING TWO-SEATERB186HK2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival : Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia $80,000$100,000
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports TourerB52GA2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek $320,000$350,000
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Tourer Coachwork by Vanden PlasB 138GA2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island $600,000$800,000
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Drophead Coupe Coachwork by Park WardB57KU2018 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction $200,000$250,000
1936 Bentley 4 1/4 L cabriolet AntemB260GA2018 Artcurial : Retromobile $375,000$450,000
1936 Bentley Vanvooren Pillarless SaloonB244GA2016 Barons : RollsRoyce Enthusiasts Club   
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Vanden Plas-style TourerB200GA2016 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale $150,000$180,000
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports SpecialB156FB2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais $120,000$150,000
1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre Open TourerB141GP2013 Coys Techno Classica $125,000$150,000
1936 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports SaloonB52HK2011 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia $45,000$55,000
1936 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Sedanca CoupeB44 HK2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company $250,000$325,000
1936 Bentley 4.25 Liter Roadster 2008 Gooding & Company $140,000$200,000

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1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  
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1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  
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1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Bentley 4¼ Liter model years

1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Vehicle Profiles

1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: James Young
Chassis #: B29GP
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B57KU
Engine #: Z6BM
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Airflow Saloon
Coachwork: Gurney Nutting
Chassis #: B118HK
Engine #: K2BY
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Tourer
Coachwork: Horsfield of Halifax
Chassis #: B 49 GP
Engine #: U 2 5K
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Pillarless Coupe
Coachwork: Gurney Nutting
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Two Seat Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
Chassis #: B 138GA
Engine #: K6BW
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Two Seat Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Barker Sunroof Coupe
Coachwork: Barker
Chassis #: B46 JD
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: James Young
Chassis #: APN 107
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Sports Coupe
Coachwork: Vanden Plas