Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Price Guide

The Bentley 4¼ Litre was the refined evolution of the 3 1/2 Litre Derby Bentley, with a larger engine providing more relaxed performance under the increasingly substantial coachwork that customers demanded.

The Car

Produced from 1936 to 1939, the 4¼ Litre used a 4,257cc overhead-valve six derived from the Rolls-Royce 25/30. The overdrive gearbox was a notable addition, improving cruising refinement. Around 1,234 were built. The “Embiricos” streamlined coupe, built on the 4¼ Litre chassis by Parisian coachbuilder Pourtout to a design by Greek racing driver André Embiricos, is one of the most famous pre-war Bentleys. Its aerodynamic shape could reach 120mph and influenced the post-war R Type Continental. Production ended with the outbreak of war in 1939.

Buying

The 4¼ Litre is the most developed Derby Bentley and the pick of the range for touring use. The Embiricos car is a unique piece of automotive history. Standard cars offer refined pre-war motoring with excellent coachwork. The Mark V that followed was intended to replace the 4¼ Litre but war intervened after just a handful were built.