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1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter Saloon

In 1936, the Derby Bentley engine was increased to a capacity of 4257cc, thus becoming the new 4¼-Liter model. The well-proven chassis was retained, as was the faultless gear-change and servo-assisted brakes.

The Derby was further improved in 1938 with the addition of an overdrive transmission, allowing for effortless high speed cruising.

This Bentley was shipped to Park Ward for the coachwork ion April 4th of 1939. The order was to produce a style suited to the US market and as the display car for the New York Auto Show. It was given a four light pillarless coupe body that was completed in late June, and shipped to New York. It arrived just prior to the outbreak of Britain's war with Germany.

The car rides on a 126-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 192 inches and weighs 3750 pounds. The car is powered by an overhead valve, inline, 4257cc six-cylinder engine. Park Ward bodies were without the wooden framing so they lasted better.

The first owner of this Bentley was Mr. S.M. Swenson, who retained the car until 1967, when it was purchased by the Vintage Car Store in Nyack, NY. From there it passed to its third owner a Mr. Ricardo Fabbri in January of 1978. After his death in the late 1990's the car passed through three other known owners before being offered for sale at the 2004 Bonhams Auction, where it was purchased by Mr. Robert A. Brechler.

While in Mr. Brechler's care, the car was given a restoration. The comprehensive nut and bolt restoration lasted five years and was completed in 2009. It was then put on display at the Amelia Island Concours.

This Bentley remained in Mr. Brechler's care until his passing. The car was then passed to a family member. It recently received a top award at the Mirror Lake Concours, a first place award at the Birthplace of Speed show in Ormond Beach and earned a Palmetto award at the 2016 Hilton Head Concours.

The car is finished in its original colors of cream and red over beige leather.

2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $200,000-USD $250,000 
Sale Price :
USD $199,360

2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az.

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $250,000-USD $325,000 
Lot was not sold

2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $175,000-USD $225,000 
Sale Price :
USD $172,700

1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Bentley 4¼ Liter

(Data based on Model Year 1939 sales)
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Vanden Plas-style Tourer
Chassis#: B-143-MX
Sold for USD$120,829
  2022 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival
 
1939 BENTLEY 4 1/4 LITRE SPORTS COUPE
Chassis#: B30MR
Sold for USD$775,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Vanden Plas-style Tourer
Chassis#: B-137-MX
Sold for USD$215,629
  2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek
 
1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Cabriolet
Chassis#: B160 MR
Sold for USD$687,139
  2020 Gooding & Company : Passion of a Lifetime
 
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre All-weather Cabriolet
Chassis#: B-80-MR
Sold for USD$131,605
  2019 Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia, RAF Museum Hendon
 
1939 Bentley 4 ¼ Liter Pillarless Coupe
Chassis#: B131MX
Sold for USD$199,360
  2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Tourer
Chassis#: B-7-MX
Sold for USD$207,572
  2018 Bonhams : London Olympia
 
1939 Bentley 4¼ Tourer Coachwork by Dick Brockman in the style of Vanden Plas
Chassis#: B 136 MX
Sold for USD$197,120
  2018 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction
 
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre 'Embiricos' Coupe Recreation by Bob Petersen Engineering
Chassis#: B119MX
Sold for USD$671,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 BENTLEY 4¼ LITER Coupe
Chassis#: B131MX
Sold for USD$172,700
  2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports Coupe 'Honeymoon Express' by Park Ward
Chassis#: B30MR
Sold for USD$770,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE 'RAZOR EDGE' BROUGHAM SALOON
Chassis#: B66LS
Sold for USD$71,314
  2015 Bonhams : The December Sale
 
1939 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE DROPHEAD COUPÉ
Chassis#: B95LE
Sold for USD$383,419
  2015 Bonhams : The December Sale
 
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Sports Coupé 'Honeymoon Express' by Park Ward
Chassis#: B30MR
Sold for USD$769,440
  2015 RM Auctions - Paris
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Overdrive
Chassis#: B119MX
Sold for USD$472,051
  2013 Coys - Techno Classica
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre 'High Vision' Sports Saloon
Chassis#: B148MR
Sold for USD$76,095
  2013 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia
 
1939 Bentley Vanvooren Sunroof Coupe Custom Ordered from Bentley by Lucie Vogt
Chassis#: B132LS
Sold for USD$330,000
  2012 Mecum - Monterey, CA
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter image  
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Experimental Saloon by Park Ward
Chassis#: 3B50 11
Sold for USD$21,043
  2012 H & H Donnington Priory
 
1939 Bentley 4 ¼ Litre MX Sports Saloon by Park Ward
Sold for USD$73,729
  2012 Coys - Blenheim Palace
 
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Vanden Plas Style Tourer
Chassis#: B164MR
Sold for USD$146,388
  2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood
 

Bentley 4¼ Liters That Failed To Sell At Auction

1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1939 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE VANDEN PLAS-STYLE TOURERB-133-MX2020 Bonhams : The Golden Age of Motoring Sale (1886 1939) $150,000$200,000
1939 Bentley 4¼ Litre James Young Fixed Coupe 2018 Shannons Sydney Spring Classic   
1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre TourerB25MX2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $900,000$1,200,000
1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Pillarless CoupeB131MX2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. $250,000$325,000
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead CoupéB137MX2016 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais $200,000$250,000
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Touring SaloonB149MX2013 H & H Auctions Imperial War Museum   
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Touring SaloonB149MX2013 H & H Auctions Imperial War Museum   
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Experimental Saloon by Park Ward3B502012 H & H Auctions Rockingham Castle   
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre M-Series Sports SaloonB83MX2012 Bonhams Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars $85,000$100,000
1939 Bentley ¼ Litre MX Overdrive Drophead Coupe by Vanden PlasB191MX2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace $150,000$175,000
1939 Bentley 4¼ LiterB102 MR2010 Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'EleganceCollectors' Motorcars $80,000$100,000
1939 Bentley 4.25 Liter Pillarless Saloon 2006 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction $160,000$225,000

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1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  
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1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  
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1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter

Additional valuation insight and sales data
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Other Bentley 4¼ Liter model years

1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter Vehicle Profiles

1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Sport Coupe
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B30MR
Engine #: C8BM
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Vanvooren
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Drophead Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
Chassis #: B154MR
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Drpohead Coupe
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B157MX
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Pillarless Saloon
Coachwork: Vanvooren
Chassis #: B3MX
Engine #: B7BN
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Embiricos Coupe
Chassis #: B119MX
Engine #: W9BC
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Sunroof Coupe
Coachwork: Vanvooren
Chassis #: B132LS
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Saloon
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis #: B131MX
Engine #: U5BE
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle information
Tourer
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
Chassis #: B91 MX