Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter Two Seat Tourer

  • Coachwork by Vanden Plas
  • Chassis Number: B 138GA
  • Engine Number: K6BW
The Derby Bentley, introduced towards the beginning of the 1930s, had undergone a number of significant developments by the time of the firm's take-over by Rolls-Royce near the close of the the decade. In 1936, the bore size was increased, raising the capacity to 4257cc.

Ernest Hives, conceived the idea of placing a tuned and modified 25/0 Rolls-Royce engine in the chassis in place of the smaller unit originally planned. In Bentley form, it was fitted with twin SU carburetors, given a raised compression ratio, and a more sporting camshaft. Thus, the new 4.25-Liter model provided more power than before while retaining the sophisticated chassis, servo-assisted brakes, and its proven gear-change. After extensive testing by W.O. Bentley, multiple improvements were suggested, resulting in a vehicle comprised of precision construction and exceptional handling in an elegant package.

2,442 Derby Bentley models were built, with the majority being owner-driven saloon and Drophead Coupe bodies, mostly by Park Ward.

This is one of 200 Rolls-Royce-built Derby Bentleys with coachwork by Vanden Plas. In 1910 the British Vanden Plas Company was established just outside London. They built nearly a quarter of all the Bentleys ever built, starting with the W.O. vintage cars and including the Derby-era Bentleys. Derby Bentleys were often referred to as 'The Silent Sports Car,' beginning with the 1933 3.5-litre cars even before the larger 4.5-Litre engine was introduced in 1936. A total of 1,241 4.25-Litre Bentleys were built at the Derby factory. This 4.25-Litre tourer was built in May 1936 and is identical to one built for land speed record-holder Sir Malcolm Campbell.

This is only the second Tourer built by Vanden Plas on the 4.25-Liter chassis. It is one of just twelve tourers built by Vanden Plans on these chassis. It is also believed that of those twelve tourers, only Mr. Campbell's car and this example were fitted with a low windscreen.

The car left the factory finished in maroon over black with maroon leather and delivered to its first owner, a Mr. W.G. Jordan, on March 25, 1936. Major P.R. Davies Cooke purchased the car in 1939, and retained it during the war. After the war, in 1946, it was sold to a Mr. Peter, who at the time was working as an apprentice at the Rolls-Royce Crew Works as a production road tester. Mr. Peter entered the car in various hill climbs, rallies, and even the 1950 Welsh Rally where he finished 2nd overall.

After Mr. Peter's ownership, the car passed through the hands of several more individuals, before being purchased by Charles Howard. In the late 1980s the car was purchased, in a partially dismantled state, by Mr. Michael Bradfield. Mr. Bradfield commissioned a total and complete restoration with bills totaling 140,000 pounds. The car then passed to Mr. Bo Zarnegin in 1995, and then to Mr. George Rombouts-Howitts in 2003, who commissioned a great deal of further restoration work. Mr. Rombouts-Howitts used the car on various rallies and tours. In 2009, it earned a 3rd in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car later became part of Sir Anthony Bamford's collection before it came into the care of its current caretaker.

Provenance *
* Please note, dates are approximate

2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $700,000 
Sale Price :
USD $417,500

2019 Bonhams : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $800,000 
Lot was not sold

2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $800,000 
Sale Price :
USD $660,000

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

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $155,499 range.
1957 BMW 503 Series I Cabriolet
Chassis#:69178
Sold for $156,800
2024 RM Sothebys : The Junkyard : Rudi Klein Collection
1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
Chassis#:WP0AA2992TS322677
Sold for $155,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Chattanooga Auction
1971 CHEVROLET BLAZER CUSTOM SUV
Chassis#:KE181S664533
Sold for $154,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall
1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE CUSTOM COUPE
Chassis#:136177Z149393
Sold for $154,000
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall
1931 Packard 840 Custom Eight Phaeton
Chassis#:188062
Sold for $154,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
Chassis#:f59b233303
Sold for $154,000
2024 Mecum : Indy Fall Special
2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Chassis#:zfffc60a980161635
Sold for $156,750
2024 Mecum : Dallas
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ Convertible
Chassis#:1g1yf3d31p5602614
Sold for $156,200
2024 Mecum : Dallas
2015 Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible
Chassis#:wp0cd2a97fs178155
Sold for $154,000
2024 Mecum : Dallas
1965 Abarth-Simca GT Coupé
Chassis#:136/0125
Sold for $154,302
2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival
1960 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
Sold for $156,800
2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction
1931 Cadillac 355A Convertible Coupe
Chassis#:808246
Sold for $156,800
2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction
1963 Chevrolet Corvette 'Split Window' Coupe
Chassis#:30837S113983
Sold for $154,560
2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction
2018 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
Chassis#:WP0BB2A99JS134703
Sold for $156,800
2024 Bonhams : The Quail Auction
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe Coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring
Chassis#:AM101.1624
Sold for $156,800
2024 Bonhams : The Quail Auction
1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter vehicle thumbnail image  
2011 Ferrari 458 Italia
Chassis#:zff67nfa2b0177155
Sold for $154,000
2024 Mecum : Monterey
1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
Sold for $156,800
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1968 Shelby GT500 Fastback
Chassis#:8T02S129525-00485
Sold for $154,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1994 Ferrari F355 GTS
Chassis#:ZFFPA42B000100764
Sold for $156,800
2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
Chassis#:WDDRK7HA0CA006828
Sold for $156,800
2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey

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

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.