• Very nice original condition throughout • Excellent provenance and comprehensive service history • Last owner for 30 years • Featured in "The Crown" and "Monarch of the Glenn"
THE BACKGROUND
Introduced in 1952 the Bentley R-Type was the second series built by Bentley after the Second World War, replacing the Mark VI, and was powered by its sister company’s Rolls Royce 4.5 litre straight six.
A luxury saloon with considerable performance for that era, many owners would have their car sent to one of the well-known coachbuilders of the day rather than just having the standard body on offer from Bentley. The R-Type were built in relatively few numbers, with only 2,323 leaving the production line and 295 of those having coach built bodies.
This 1954 example was number 18 of only 27 built by probably the best known coachbuilder H J Mulliner in the light 6 aluminium body design number 7220 and is believed to be 300 kgs lighter than the standard model which, with the RH floor shift, makes for a more sporty feel and drive, being easily capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph.
Built in 1953, this car was originally painted in Mason’s Black when it left the factory and was delivered to Oliver Berger of Berger’s Paints where it wore the registration number OLB 9. When the car was sold around seven years later that number was retained and the car now has the number YXA 308.
The car comes with a huge amount of documented history from 1954 to present day as each subsequent owner has kept up the meticulous records of yearly mileage and servicing through the years, giving the car a fabulous provenance and providing a great read for the next owner.
At 47,000 miles the 4.5 litre engine was stripped down and re-built by specialists.
The current owner has enjoyed 30 years of luxury and trouble free motoring since purchasing the car in 1991 and has formed part of his interesting and varied collection of cars.
Deciding that the car looked a tad funereal being all black, the car was re-painted in two-tone Mason’s Black over Claret, which softens and accentuates its stylish and classic lines very well.
Kept in a de-humidified garage throughout his ownership he has regularly recorded around 1,000 miles per year, ensuring that the car was correctly serviced every year with fresh oil and filters, being put through an MOT each year even though that has not been required for many years now.
Some basic restoration has been carried out over his years with the car, with the front seats being recovered in leather and the extensive woodwork throughout the interior being removed for French polishing and re-varnishing. The chrome fittings and trim have all been re-chromed to a high standard and both the headlining and carpets have been replaced.
Recently a new stainless steel 2” bore has been fitted along with new radial tyres, which have helped the handling and ride of the car significantly.
The car has won the Ayer’s Trophy at the Bentley National Concours event in 2015 at Oxford and also that same year at Glamis Castle, and represented the Bentley Drivers Club at Holyrood Palace where it was highly commended.
It’s also quite the celebrity in its own right, having starred in the TV series “The Monarch of the Glen” and was Lord Kilwillie’s car. Julien Fellowes played the part of Kilwillie, and the car featured in quite a few of the episodes. Recently, it was in the second series of The Crown where it was Princess Margaret’s car.
The V5c is present and the car comes with three packed files with MOTs going back to the 1960’s, tax discs, original owner and chauffeur handbooks, radio instruction manual and build documents, along with hand-written records from the various owners.
The opulent and beautifully built interior of the Bentley is in lovely condition - the style and class unmistakable. Sit behind that wonderful period steering wheel and enjoy the quality and design of the wooden dashboard and the clear and simple instruments and switchgear at your fingertips, classic car interiors like this are something to behold.
All the wood is in very good condition, with the rear picnic tables being an absolute picture of health and condition. The internal chrome fittings shine brightly and the lovely rear bench seat shows some slight signs of wear but still looks like a very pleasant and comfortable place to be.
Yes, there are a few small signs of wear and tear inside the cabin but with a car of this age and quality, this should be considered patina, which just adds to the overall ambiance and character of the car.
It’s nice to see the original radio and complete toolkit and the only thing to report is that the heated rear window does not work.
It’s no wonder that this car has won prizes and been chosen to be on the TV, it looks great from every angle, its sweeping graceful lines and lovely condition, can’t possibly fail to impress.
The two-tone paint is deep and glossy and other than a few small rust bubbles, mostly around the wheel arches and the bottom of the body panels, it looks very good indeed. At the rear of the car by the rear bumper there is a small section where the paint is peeling slightly and some of the chrome is beginning to show slight signs of pitting but again this really is more patina than corrosion.
All the panels and bodywork are straight with excellent shut lines all around. Bumpers at both ends are straight with no dents or scratches and the wheels and hub-caps all look great too.
The classic and imposing front of the car with that lovely grill, huge headlights and array of driving lights just looks superb and quite clearly shows off the quality and presence of this lovely old Bentley.
Recently and regularly serviced throughout its life this car has obviously never wanted for anything and its present condition shows that quite clearly.
The clean and tidy condition that you’ll find under the bonnet and under the car reflects the attention and care that has been given to the car over the years and with continued maintenance there’s undoubtedly many more miles of classic motoring left in this great classic saloon.
If you’ve been looking for a timeless classic to enjoy and take to shows then this car could be the one that you’ve been looking for.
It has a great deal going for it, impeccable history and provenance, a fabulous example of a rare and appreciating classic, and boy does it look good. It could easily be put to work as a very special wedding car or added to a collection, either way this is a car that deserves and likes to be driven and enjoyed in the way it has become accustomed to over the last 67 years.
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1954 Bentley R Type
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