LOT 254 1954 Bentley R-Type Lightweight Saloon by H. J. Mulliner
SPECIFICATION Registration
Chassis No. Engine No.
Odometer Reading Estimate
PLH 790 B36YD B183Y
94,000 £31,000 - £36,000
The R-Type is the second series of post-war Bentley motorcars and replaced the Mk. VI. Essentially a larger-boot version of the Mk. VI, the R-Type is regarded by some as a stop-gap before the introduction of the S series cars in 1955. As with its predecessor, a standard body was available as well as coachbuilt versions by firms including H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Harold Radford, Freestone and Webb and others. Even by this date, there was little difference (other than the radiator grilles and the carburetion) between the standard Bentley R-Type and the Rolls Royce Silver Dawn,
www.historics.co.uk
although Bentley was still the more popular marque. The vast majority of cars produced indeed were Bentleys with some 2,500 units manufactured during R-Type’s run. During development, it was referred to as the Bentley Mk. VII. In fact the chassis cards for these cars describe them as Bentley 7. The R-Type name, which is now usually applied, stems from chassis series RT. The front of the saloon model was identical to the Mk. VI, but the boot (trunk) was almost doubled in capacity. This rare Bentley R-Type, split windscreen, Lightweight Saloon
by H. J. Mulliner is one of only thirty-four cars built; fitted with an automatic gearbox this was the 1954 Earls Court Motor Show car. Finished in cream with beige leather interior, this car has been the subject of a cosmetic restoration within the last ten years and has also had the front suspension, steering and rear axle seals and bushes replaced within this time; the engine has also been maintained to the highest of standards. The car is showing that it has only covered 94,000 miles, and old MoT test certificates dating back to 1985 indicate that the car has only covered 30,000 miles in the last 25 years. Supplied with V5C registration document, a current MoT test certificate which expires June 2012, copies of the original chassis cards and a history file containing bills, coachbuilder’s records and old MoT certificates going back to 1985. This is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the prettiest coachbuilt Bentleys ever built.
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