Going to the Opera

The Bentley 4 ½ Litre ‘Embiricos’ Coupé

‘A car so rare, you’re more likely to spot a Unicorn.’

In 1939, André Embiricos, a Greek shipping magnate and racing enthusiast, sought an elegant and aerodynamically advanced grand tourer.

The car was designed by the visionary Georges Paulin and crafted by the renowned French coachbuilder Carrosserie Pourtout, emphasising sleek, streamlined forms.

The design was a radical departure from traditional Bentley styles. It featured smooth, flowing lines and a low-slung fastback profile, a groundbreaking look for its time.

Its aerodynamic form, tested in wind tunnels, gave it a low drag coefficient and a significant speed advantage over its contemporaries, reportedly reaching speeds of 115 mph.

Based on Bentley’s 4½-litre chassis, its lightweight, aerodynamic body and powerful straight-six engine made it faster than standard models.

Originally built as a luxury grand tourer, the Embiricos Coupe competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times (1949, 1950, 1951), achieving an impressive 6th place overall in 1949.

It’s astonishing for a car designed a decade earlier.

Its streamlined body influenced the design of post-war Bentleys, particularly the Continental models.

Surviving the trials of World War II, this one-of-a-kind vehicle emerged unscathed, adding to its mythic status.

The Embiricos Coupe laid the foundation for Bentley’s future high-performance luxury models, blending speed with refinement.

As the only one ever built, it is one of the rarest and most desirable Bentleys, now considered a priceless piece of automotive history.

The Bentley 4 ½ Litre ‘Embiricos’ Coupé is a masterpiece of coachbuilding. It combines elegance, speed, and innovation, a testament to Bentley’s pre-war glory and enduring legacy.

‘Who knew a Greek shipping tycoon’s idea of subtlety was a Bentley that could rival race cars and still look like it’s on its way to the opera?’