Launching in 1952, the R Type was Bentley’s second post-war series, replacing the venerable Mk VI. It was actually more of an evolution than a clean-sheet design – the front end was very similar to the VI, but the rear was far more accommodating with the boot being almost twice the size.
And while the model was initially designated Mk VII under development, the R Type name spawned from the ‘RT’ chassis code and it had an inherent classiness that stuck.
Under the bonnet was a 4.6-litre straight-six, mated to a four-speed manual transmission, and this was a combination with more than a little get-up-and-go; indeed, it still feels quick among modern traffic today.
Viewed by many as the original sports saloon, the accompanying literature certainly backs this up: within the document file with this example, we find an original dealer brochure from 1952 which describes the R Type as the ‘Silent Sports Car’, and that sums it up neatly.
This beautifully appointed and stylishly designed four-door four-seater is near-silent at idle, but it only takes a tickle of the throttle to awaken the beast. A consummate all-rounder, and a model that represents extraordinary value in 2021.
This 1953 R Type is the original, straight-down-the-line Bentley-bodied variant; while a variety of coachbuilt options were offered, the Bentley Motors Four-Door Sports Saloon was the core offering.
And this car has evidently been loved and cherished throughout its life; not only is the extraordinarily low mileage of 42,900 believed genuine, but the history file (which is absolutely huge) goes right back to the 1950s.
All of the work that’s been carried out on the car over the years has been carefully recorded, including an engine rebuild by Hillier Hill and lots more besides. The chassis has been fully overhauled, and a Continental high-ratio axle fitted for superior touring.
Originally supplied in Masons Black with a tan interior, the colour scheme it wears today has been with it since 1981 – Tudor over Shell Grey with grey leather interior.
During the current owner’s tenure, it’s largely been a case of routine maintenance and servicing, given that all the major works had already been carried out – the most notable tasks they commissioned were a new head gasket, an upgrade to the original radio to include some modern features, and a new set of tyres.
Well, it’s not often you find a paperwork file this massive and comprehensive. There’s so much documentation here it fills up an entire crate and spills out into an extra box file. If you scroll through the pictures you’ll see that we’ve photographed a sample of it, but that’s really only a tiny percentage of what’s in there.
We found original brochures and literature from the 1950s, ring binders containing detailed servicing and maintenance manuals, a substantial stack of old MOTs, and reams upon reams of old receipts and invoices painstakingly documenting everything that’s been done to the Bentley in its life.
We can see, for example, that the renowned specialist Hillier Hill was commissioned to rebuild the engine around 22,000 miles ago, along with the clutch and radiator core. A full mechanical and interior restoration was carried out between 2007-09, and this work is photographically documented in a dedicated binder.
The suspension and braking systems have been fully overhauled and the Continental high-ratio axle was fitted, all of which is documented – and a deep-dive will tell you all about the bumper renovation in 1987, the bare-metal stripdown and repaint in 1981, the bored and honed cylinder block by Crosthwaite & Gardiner in 1980, the supplying of the UNV 940 registration number in 1989, the carburettor rebuild in 2016… this is all going to make fascinating reading for the next owner.
The cabin of this Bentley is in truly lovely condition. We know that it was originally supplied with a tan interior in 1953, and the grey hide appeared in the 1980s.
It’s been carefully and sympathetically restored, with the veneers, carpets and bulkhead having been stripped out and everything rejuvenated; the grey leather was restored rather than replaced, and it wears a lovely patina. There’s a little of the leather coming loose on the base of the rear bench, but overall the seats are great and pleasantly supportive.
The wood trim on the dash and doors is in superb condition, with a gleaming lustre to it. The dials are present and correct and working as they should. The original radio has been cunningly retrofitted with some modern tricks – it receives FM radio, and the right-hand button operates an iPod/MP3 input (the connector for which is hidden away inside the glovebox).
The car is equipped with an extremely large sunroof, which opens and closes correctly and seals properly, providing a charming open-air driving experience. Above the driver’s door in the headlining is a lever which, when pulled, raises the rear window blind, which is a nice touch and it’s all in good working order.
The carpets and headlining are tidy, and the correct ashtrays and lighters are present. Inside the boot it’s all dry and clean, with an excellent carpet and a spare wheel with unused tyre.
The wooden picnic tables in the rear are superb, and the original footrests are in place. The Bentley has recently been professionally valeted, and it’s wonderfully neat inside.
The Bentley coachwork is in superb condition throughout. Having been stripped down to bare-metal and fully rust-proofed in 1981, the job was obviously a thorough one as the corrosion has been successfully held at bay – this appears to be a very honest body, with all panels straight and correctly aligned. The repaint in Tudor over Shell Grey is a quality job, and the hand-painted coach lines are particularly endearing.
The chrome trim is in lovely untarnished condition throughout with all trim pieces present and nothing appearing to be missing. Aside from a small ding in the rear bumper next to the over-rider, all of the trim is totally straight and correct.
The car is fitted with its original semaphore indicators, and these do work, but in the name of day-to-day safety a set of modern indicators has also been discreetly fitted beneath the bumpers at either end.
The Bentley is fitted with a fresh set of tyres, and the proper hubcaps are all in place, colour-coded and with hand-painted coach lines to match the body sides. Overall, a delightful and very well presented Bentley that would make a superb addition to any collection.
The mechanical package in the R Type is a formidable one, with the torque-rich 4.6-litre straight-six serving up the sort of standing-start muscle and mid-range punch to surprise many a modern motorist. It’s a supremely smooth unit too, operating near-silently at idle, just as a Bentley should.
Having been fully rebuilt 22,000 miles ago, the engine is in very fine fettle; it starts on the button whether hot or cold, runs through the gears perfectly, and is equally happy pottering around the metropolis or stretching its legs across continents with that higher-ratio Continental axle. The suspension and brakes have been completely overhauled – it rides very comfortably indeed, and pulls up straight and true.
A formidable performer, artfully combining cosseting comfort with impressive sporting prowess.
With the climbing values of 1950s Bentleys and Rolls-Royces showing no sign of slowing down, the R Type is looking like a very canny purchase in 2021. While coachbuilt two-door siblings change hands for high six-figure sums, the Bentley-bodied four-door serves up much of the charm for a fraction of the price.
And don’t go thinking that the more affordable option is in any way a compromise – this beautifully presented ’53 model is an absolute dream to drive, with a gloriously appointed interior and supremely stylish body. It’s tasteful, fun, quick, comfy, surprisingly practical, dependable, and joyful to behold.
You’re very unlikely to find a 1950s car with a history file as massive as this one, and when you’re cruising around London, this R Type commands just as many admiring and envious glances as, say, a Continental or a Silver Cloud. So the question really isn’t ‘Why would you want an R Type?’, but ‘Why wouldn’t you?’.
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1953 Bentley R Type Saloon
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