1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Barker Sunroof Coupe

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.