1937 Bentley 4 ¼ Litre Open Two-Seater by Carlton

• A bespoke one-off model, the only open two-seater ever built by Carlton for Bentley.

• Original Engine and Coachwork crafted by Carlton Carriage Company.

• An example of the shared Rolls Royce 4.25 Litre power plant.

• Outfitted with high output Marchal headlamps and secondary driving light.

The Bentley 4 ¼ Open Tourer shown here has been shown on three different prior occasions, including our very first exhibit in 2014, A Selection of Pre-War Automobiles from the Collection.  It was to return to the museum for a redux of pre-war and brass era cars Big Bold & Brassy: Automobiles from the pre-War & Brass Era, and finally, its outstanding array of Marchal headlights brought it back in 2020 for Shining Bright: Advances in Automotive Lighting. 

The Bentley automobiles of the 1930s came on the heels of many successful Grand Prix race victories by the British marque in the mid-20s; however, in 1931, the effects of the Great Depression caused Bentley to be acquired by Rolls Royce in order to remain in business.

The Bentley cars that were produced in tandem with the Rolls-Royce cars of the 1930s have been, until recently, overlooked by collectors. From 1933 to 1940, some 2400 Bentley automobiles were built by Rolls Royce in Derby, UK utilizing over 40 different coachbuilders to supply bodywork.  These cars were fitted with Rolls Royce’s 25/30 engine and chassis but offered a higher compression ratio for better performance. They were to be known as “The Silent Sports Car”.  Only a few Bentleys using the 4.25-liter engine were shipped to Carlton Coach Builder between 1934 and 1939.

Over time, many of the original bodies and engines fitted to the Bentley cars of the 30s were swapped, replaced, or scrapped to fit the needs of various owners, and even more, melted down for the war effort.  This very well-preserved and original example of a Derby Bentley highlights what many consider to be the perfect match of Rolls Royce and Bentley. Carlton achieved quite an accomplishment with this exceedingly rare two-seat model, as he created a drophead that was just as attractive with the hood up as it was when lowered to its concealed-hood position.

Everything from suspension, engine performance, braking, and lighting was among the best from across the Atlantic.  Features such as adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers, a 4-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh 3rd and 4th gears, and servo-assisted 4-wheel brakes set this car apart from other luxury cars. 

Specifications:

Engine: Inline 6 with 2 SU carburetors.

Displacement: 4257cc.

Max RPM: 4,000 rpm.

Suspension: Front and rear semi-elliptic spring suspension with hydraulic shock dampers.

Transmission: 4-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the third / fourth gears.

Braking: Four-wheel mechanical brakes with servo-assist.

Wheelbase: 126 in.

Lights: Marchal Electric Headlamps.