1936-1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre

The 1936-1939 Bentley 41/4 Litre was a lineal descendant of the 31/2 Litre, with the same chassis, suspension, and choice of custom bodies. Its larger engine's extra power and torque -- neither ever revealed -- made up for the heavier coachwork and equipment that always came along.

This 1937 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre hardtop coupe was part of the 1936-39 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre series.
1937 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre hardtop coupe.
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As before, the 41/4 Litre was a Rolls-Royce with a Bentley badge and 90+ mph performance but no independent front suspension. From late 1938, an "overdrive" transmission with geared-up top was fitted to make the car better suited to fast roads.

Many of the 41/4 Litres had Park Ward bodies, without wooden framing, so they've lasted better.

Pluses of the 1936-1939 Bentley 41/4 Litre:

  • A real aristocrat
  • Top-drawer build quality
  • Comfortable, dignified, yet sporting
  • Parts supply still OK

Minuses of the 1936-1939 Bentley 41/4 Litre:

  • Costly to buy, very costly to run
  • Wood bodies still rot
  • Inferior to contemporary Americans in ride
  • Styling a bit traditional

Production of the 1936-1939 Bentley 41/4 Litre:
1,234

Specifications of the 1936-1939 Bentley 41/4 Litre:
Wheelbase, inches: 126.0
Length, inches: 192.0
Weight, pounds: 3,750
Price, new: NA

Engines for the 1936-1939 Bentley 41/4 Litre:

Type Size Horsepower Years
ohv l-6 4,257 cc (260 cid) NA 1936-1939

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