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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.
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$173,672 2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
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-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-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 Coupe Chassis#: B131MX Sold for USD$172,700 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | |
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-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 4 1/4 Litre Overdrive Chassis#: B119MX Sold for USD$472,051 2013 Coys - Techno Classica | |
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 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 |
Bentley 4¼ Liters That Failed To Sell At Auction
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1939 Bentley 4¼ Litre Sedanca Coupé in the style of Henri Chapron | B185MX | 2024 RM Sothebys : Cliveden House | $80,000 | $140,000 | |
1939 BENTLEY 4¼-LITRE VANDEN PLAS-STYLE TOURER | B-133-MX | 2020 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 Tourer | B25MX | 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $900,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Pillarless Coupe | B131MX | 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | $250,000 | $325,000 | |
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre Drophead Coupé | B137MX | 2016 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Touring Saloon | B149MX | 2013 H & H Auctions Imperial War Museum | |||
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Touring Saloon | B149MX | 2013 H & H Auctions Imperial War Museum | |||
1939 Bentley 4.25 Litre Experimental Saloon by Park Ward | 3B50 | 2012 H & H Auctions Rockingham Castle | |||
1939 Bentley 4¼-Litre M-Series Sports Saloon | B83MX | 2012 Bonhams Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
1939 Bentley ¼ Litre MX Overdrive Drophead Coupe by Vanden Plas | B191MX | 2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace | $150,000 | $175,000 | |
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter | B102 MR | 2010 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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $290,928 range.
2022 Bentley Continental GTC Mulliner Convertible Chassis#:SCBDG4ZG3NC098194 Sold for $291,000 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
1997 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Chassis#:WP0AA2992VS322617 Sold for $291,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 'Flat-Nose' Cabriolet Chassis#:WP0EB0930KS070456 Sold for $291,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1988 Porsche 911 Turbo 'Flat-Nose' Coupe Chassis#:WP0JB0934JS050532 Sold for $291,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Chassis#:ZFFKW64A190164790 Sold for $290,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
1960 Porsche 356 B Roadster Coachwork by Drauz Chassis#:88373 Sold for $291,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1953 Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint 'Supergioiello' Coachwork by Ghia Chassis#:AR1900C.01531 Sold for $291,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1952 Lancia Aurelia B52 Coupe Speciale Coachwork by Vignale Chassis#:B52-1054 Sold for $291,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
2018 Porsche 991 GT2 RS 'Weissach' Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZJS181573 Sold for $290,551 2024 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | |
1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback Chassis#:8t02r20615703397 Sold for $291,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1969 CITROËN DS21 CABRIOLET DE SÉRIE Chassis#:4635279 Sold for $291,000 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II by Pininfarina Chassis#:4043 Sold for $291,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Chassis#:WDBSK79FX9F158342 Sold for $291,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:30867S118741 Sold for $288,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:AZ393315 Sold for $293,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2023 AUDI R8 GT Chassis#:WUAGBAFX5P7901212 Sold for $291,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1994 Porsche 911 Strosek Mega Speedster Chassis#:wp0cb2966rs465068 Sold for $291,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1967 Porsche 911 S 'Soft-Window' Targa Chassis#:500555S Sold for $291,000 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis#:11102712001022 Sold for $291,725 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis#:111.027.12.003247 Sold for $291,000 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction |
1939 Bentley 4¼ Liter
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