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1936 Bentley 4¼ Liter

Drophead Coupe by James Young
Chassis number: APN 107

In 1931, Bentley production moved to the Rolls-Royce factory at Derby, England, following the acquisition of Bentley by Rolls-Royce. The cars which followed were known as 'Derby Bentleys' as opposed to the earlier cars which came from the original Bentley works in Cricklewood, London. The first Derby was launched in 1933. In the mid thirties the Mark IV with a 4.25 liter six cylinder engine was produced.

APN 107

The 4.25 liter cars were very popular in their era, selling some 400 models per year, and this model is one of 13 drophead coupes built by coachbuilder James Young. This car is one of two similar designs, the other built for the famous racing driver Prince Bira of Thailand. The current owners, Robert and Ann Franz, have recorded more than 40,000 miles of its total 160,000 miles, and the car has never been restored.

Sports Coupe by Vanden Plas

In 1931, Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley out of receivership. Their client base dwindled because the cars were so well designed and constructed they rarely needed replacement.

This 1936 Bentley is powered by a naturally aspirated 4,257-cc six-cylinder, overhead valve engine, featuring two SU carburetors and produces 125 horsepower. The front-engine designed was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox that drove the rear wheels. Its sports coachwork is by Vanden Plas.

It could achieve 60 mph in around 14 seconds with the top speed just below 100 mph. Production ran from 1936 through 1939, during which over 1,240 examples were produced. Up until this time, this was the most vehicles of a single series Bentley had ever produced.

by Dan Vaughan

Barker Sunroof Coupe by Barker
Chassis number: B46 JD

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.

Two Seat Tourer by Vanden Plas

Bentley rather discretely announced the arrival of its new 4.25-liter model. The subtle announcement was merely an attempt to appease customers who had already ordered the 3.5 Litre model and whose chassis were at the contracted coachbuilders. Other than the engine, all other chassis elements were duplicates of the 3.5 Litre cars, which was the first new Bentley following the acquisition of the firm by Rolls-Royce in 1931.

Essentially a tuned twin-carbureted version of Rolls-Royce's tried-and-true 25/30, the 4.25 Litre model was introduced in March of 1936 alongside its sister car at Rolls-Royce. A total of 1,235 examples were produced through about May of 1939.

This car was first owned by the Countess of Warwick. The body was ordered by the London Bentley agent Jack Barclay Limited as an exclusive design from Vanden Plas. After several more owners the car was brought to the United Sates in 1959. Its current owner bought the car in 1970. Since then it has been the subject of a continuous restoration effort to bring the car back to its original color and condition. Two Derby Bentleys were built with this body style, but there are some differences between them so this car is unique. One rare and unusual feature on this car is the single-winged flying B on the radiator cap, this was the original mascot design by Charles Skyes and it appeared on less than 100 Derby Bentleys.

Two Seat Tourer 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.

Pillarless Coupe by Gurney Nutting

Bentley had a reputation for their racing success. Bentley was at the top of the British sports car market in the 1930s, with few competitors other than Bugatti and Hispano-Suiza. In 1931, Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley and has been owned by Volkswagen since 1998.

The Bentley 4.25 Litre used a Rolls-Royce chassis and a modified 20/25 6-cylinder engine equipped with twin S.U. carburetors producing about 125 horsepower and capable of 90 mph. it rode on a 126-inch wheelbase chassis with leaf springs and solid axles and 18 inch wheels. It was introduced in 1936 at a price of 1,150 pounds with coachwork an additional 400 pounds in the case of this car. Only 1,234 were built before production ended in 1939.

This car is one of six designed by John Blatchley, noted British automotive designer and built by British coachbuilder, Gurney, Nutting. Only three are known to survive. It was previously owned by one of the founding members of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club.

The car was initially purchased and shipped to Montreal. It was purchased by Samuel Shoup, the founding president of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club. It returned to Canada in the early 1970's and sat unrestored, for 27 years. It was purchased by Iron Band Holdings in 2006 and restored by Reg Beer Coachbuilders in 2008.

Tourer by Horsfield of Halifax
Chassis number: B 49 GP
Engine number: U 2 5K

The Derby Bentley was introduced towards the beginning of the 1930s and by the end of that decade had received a number of significant developments. In 1936 it had received an increase in bore size upping the capacity to 4257cc. This new engine was shared with the equivalent Rolls-Royce (the 25/30hp), and given twin SU carburetors, a raised compression ratio and a more sporting camshaft. The 4¼-Liter model offered more power than before while retaining the modern chassis, proven gear-change and servo-assisted brakes.

The Derby Bentley was an exclusive, coachbuilt automotive with just 2,442 examples manufactured with nearly 50 percent of those receiving coachwork from Park Ward.

This particular example was delivered new by Pass and Joyce to H.C. Bradley of Wolverhampton as a Park Ward Saloon, bearing registration number DRF700. At some point in the 1950s the Park Ward saloon coachwork was replaced with the Vanden Plas style tourer body which it wears today. Produced by noted coachbuilders Horsfield of Halifax, the body was formed from aluminum and given four razor-edge cycle fenders. The car was used regularly in England until 1984 when it was acquired by a New Hampshire based collector. The Bentley lived in the same New Hampshire ownership until just recently.

Currently, the car is in good running order with an older restoration. The engine is a 4257cc 6-cylinder overhead valve unit fitted with twin SU side-draft carburetors. There is a 4-speed synchromesh transmission and 4-wheel Servo Boosted mechanical brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Airflow Saloon by Gurney Nutting
Chassis number: B118HK
Engine number: K2BY

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 Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupe by Park Ward & Co.
Chassis number: B57KU
Engine number: Z6BM

Rolls-Royce Motors acquired Bentley in 1931 with the understanding that the company would continue to produce a Bentley. The first Derby-built Bentley appeared in 1933. The chassis and engine used in the Rolls-Royce 20/25 was given a new cross-flow head, twin SU carburetors, and a re-profiled camshaft. Late in 1935, the 4¼-litre engine, based on the modified Rolls-Royce 25/30 horsepower unit, was offered as a £50 option on the 3½-litre. This option proved very popular so for 1936 it was adopted as the standard engine.

This particular Derby Bentley was ordered new by the Vandervell Brothers. The completed car was delivered in September of 1938. The build sheet lists it as a saloon, but this is believed to be a mistake, and perhaps the order was later changed. It wears a Park Ward drophead coupe body which is believed to be the original coachwork. No other coachwork is known to have ever been fitted to this chassis and there are no additional mounting holes in the chassis.

The car was delivered with a custom high-speed rear end, a feature which cost £360. This was a substantial cost as the chassis itself only cost £1,150.

Ownership of the car later passed to The Earle of Tweeddale in Scotland, and remaining in that ownership for a number of years, before making its way to Sweden. The Swedish owner used the car extensively, even installing a modern heater and a Laycock overdrive. The current caretaker acquired the car from Sweden in 2015. Since then a large amount of work has been carried out to the vehicle. Work has included the engine being fitted with a new cylinder head and high capacity oil pump, a new top, top boot, and the upholstery has been redone in black leather, along with new carpets. The wings were stripped and repainted, and the under chassis extensively details. The radiator was also re-cored and its shell was re-plated.

by Dan Vaughan

Bentley Motors was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1931 with the declared intention to make the best sporting car of its type in the world. This was not an easy challenge, because they did not wanting to alienate either customer base. With production of the Bentley 8 and 4½ litre shut down, the question remained as to what sort of car to build. The Experimental Department developed several prototypes before settling on a car that was based on the earlier 18hp experimental chassis called the 'Peregrine' fitted with a modified 20/25hp engine. Introduced in 1933, these 'Derby Bentley' 3½ liter models offered luxury, power, and superior engineering. They were a combination of traditional Rolls-Royce refinement with Bentley handling and performance. Based on the contemporary Rolls-Royce 20/25, the 3½-Litre Bentley employed a tuned twin-SU carburetor version of the former's 3,669cc overhead-valve six-cylinder engine developing 115 horsepower. Its wheelbase was shorter than the 20/25, measuring 126-inches. They had servo-assisted brakes and a part-synchromesh four-speed gearbox, adding to the high performance capability in nearly absolute silence.

The 'Silent Sports Car,' as they were called, was followed by the more powerful 4¼ liter, which raised the bar further, with its performance, superb brakes and effortless long-distance touring capabilities. The 4¼ liter had been introduced in 1936 when the bore size in the 3½-Litre had been increased to 4,257cc, and the adoption of superior Hall's Metal bearings. This new engine was used in both the Bentley and the Rolls-Royce 25/30hp, with the Bentley enjoying the superior specification, boasting twin SU carburetors, raised compression ratio, and a more 'sporting' camshaft. It had more power than the preceding model while retaining the well-proven chassis with its faultless gear-change and servo-assisted braking. With a top speed approaching 90 mph, they were at the top of the contemporary supercar category.

These were exclusively coachbuilt automobiles and due to the sporting nature, were almost always fitted with owner-driver saloon or drophead coupe coachwork, the 'standard' designs being the work of Park Ward.

A total of 1,177 examples of the 3.5-Liter and 1,234 of the successor 4¼-Litre model prior to the cessation of production in 1939.

by Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupe by James Young
Chassis number: B29GP

In 1931 Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley Motors and moved the Bentley factory north from Cricklewood in London to Derby. The first 3.5 Litre 'Derby' Bentley - or 'The Silent Sports Car,' as it was called in contemporary sales literature - was introduced in 1933 as the more sporting Bentley equivalent to the Rolls-Royce 20/25 and 25/30. Bentley launched the more powerful 4.25 Litre model in 1936, and it made for a very lively touring car. With a four-speed gearbox and the extra 588 cc, this model had the same acceleration potential in fourth gear as the previous car offered in third gear. About 1,200 of these were sold before the introduction of its proposed successor, the Mark V, in 1939. For the bodies fitted to the Bentley chassis, coachbuilders usually designed a more aerodynamic and sportier body.

This 4.25 Litre was built in 1936 for Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh, better known to motor racing fans as Price Bira of Siam. He used the car while studying at Cambridge. It was delivered on February 10th of 1936. In the same period, he drove an ERA for the White Mouse racing team of his cousin, Prince Chula.

Drophead Coupe

Bentley rather discretely announced the arrival of its new 4¼-Litre engine. Today we know that the 4¼-Litre Bentley was a replacement for the former 3½-Litre model. The subtle announcement was merely an attempt to appease customers who had already ordered cars equipped with the smaller motor and whose chassis were at the contracted coachbuilders. Chassis, gearbox, axle ratios and the like were duplicates of the 3½-Litre cars. The previous 3½-Litre model was the first new Bentley following the acquisition of the firm by Rolls-Royce in 1931. Essentially a tuned twin-carbureted version of R-R's tried and true 20/25, it was produced at the Derby Works and introduced to the public in 1931. A total of 1,235 examples were produced through about May 1939 when the last model was completed. This is one of two Bentley drop head coupes with parallel-opening-doors known to exist.

Bentley Motors was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1931. One of the first of the Bentley vehicles produced after this merge was the 1933 3-1/2 Liter, a vehicle similar to the Rolls Royce 20/25. Bentley automobiles personified racing and the 3 1/2 Liter vehicle followed this tradition. It had a more powerful engine than its 20/25 counterpart. This had been achieved by adding a second carburetor and modification of the compression ratio.

Rolls Royce introduced the 25/30 in 1936 and Bentley introduced its counterpart, the 4 1/4 Liter. The Bentley featured 2 SU carburetors and a naturally aspirated straight-six engine producing 125 horsepower. It could achieve sixty mph in around fourteen seconds with the top speed just below 100 mph. The front-engine designed was matted to a four-speed manual gearbox and drove the rear wheels. Production lasted from 1936 through 1939 during which over 1240 examples were produced. This was the most vehicles of a single series Bentley had ever produced up to this time.

by Dan Vaughan