The original sales brochure for the Bentley R Type, which comes within the files for this car, describes the car as "Bentley - Silent Sports Car". There is an introduction written by Raymond Mays OBE, a famous racing driver in period, and the driving force behind the motor racing stables ERA (English Racing Automobiles) and BRM (British Racing Motors), who lavishes praise upon Bentleys, notably their performance, suspension, and their ability to be "driven flat out from dawn to dark without faltering". The R Type is a car with the ability to carry passengers and luggage in quiet comfort at pace and with a solid reliability.

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The Model

The Bentley R Type was produced from 1952 - 1955, it was the replacement to its predecessor the Bentley Mark VI; during development it was even known as the Mark VII until very late in the day when it was re-designated to avoid any possible confusion with Jaguar’s similarly named large luxury saloon, and so it was given that new name to ensure that prospective buyers would be in no doubt that this was a significantly new vehicle.

The R Type was lengthened over its predecessor, this gave several notable benefits being additional legroom for rear passengers, almost double the luggage space and more elegant and better proportioned overall appearance. The driving experience was also significantly better than the Mark VI with improved roadholding and performance.

The model performed exceptionally well in period thanks to its strong 4.6 litre straight-six engine, ensuring a top speed of 107mph but arguably more importantly, its mid-range acceleration meant that the car could accumulate speed in remarkably good time. Stopping is very good too, with The Autocar at the time remarking "You just have to breathe on the Bentley brake pedal" in relation to the low effort required to operate the mechanically servo assisted braking system.

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This Car

If you desire a Bentley R Type to be used for touring and adventures, this car is the ideal specification, for being a very late model it incorporates almost every modification that the manufactures made. The model sits high enough to give an excellent view of the road and surroundings, and it has a large metal sunshine roof. Less than 1,000 miles ago our workshop stripped completely and then rebuilt and rebored the engine to 4,887cc, the same dimensions as the last R Type Continentals and the subsequent S1, both of which used the same basic cylinder block as the 4,556cc originally found in the R Type. This engine enlargement is a worthwhile and reliable upgrade, and along with the longer 3.77:1 final drive ratio fitted to such very late model R Types, offers an exceptional specification for longer journeys as well as for more local use. The toolkit is complete with every component in its place.  

The current owner acquired the vehicle nearly 30 years ago and it is presented for sale with a simply fascinating history file showing that it has had very few owners since new. We have known the car and the owner since soon after he purchased it, and there are many invoices present covering this period, but there are also invoices present all the way back to 1962 when the vehicle was a regular visitor to the workshops of James Young and Rolls-Royce/Bentley London, they are charmingly written and a wonderful reflection of the period.

Also included in the file is a wonderful array of books – some quite valuable - brochures, chassis card details, technical booklets, and my favourite, the Jack Barclay Maintenance & Touring Data booklet. Included within this booklet is useful information around preparing your vehicle for touring as well useful facts, figures, conversions, translations and a list of addresses and telephone numbers for London night clubs, a truly charming booklet which is very reflective of the period.

The interior of this car was fully retrimmed in 1998 by its current owner, but it looks and feels as if it was done far more recently than that, such is the quality it is presented in today, the leather remains hardly worn and very supple to touch. The bodywork is in generally good condition, with a few areas that do hint at its age and could enjoy some light reconditioning, but overall, she is a very presentable car and mechanically sound ready to be enjoyed.

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Summary

The R Type was designed to convey its occupants and their luggage on long or short journeys at speed whilst in quiet comfort, and this is a wonderful example which has received a sympathetic engine upgrade to further enhance its original purpose. That complete engine rebuild, mated to its automatic transmission and longer final drive ratio means this a definitive example of a Bentley R Type, which continues to offer great comfort and style, with commensurate cruising speeds, on journeys of any length or purpose, at home or abroad.  

Please do get in contact to find out more and to arrange a viewing.

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