Footnotes

The policy of rationalisation begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after the war with the introduction of standard bodywork on the MkVI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WW2 product, the latter was introduced in 1946, a year ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith which, although mechanically similar to the MkVI, was nevertheless exclusively a coachbuilt car. The new 'standard steel' body - produced by the Pressed Steel Company, of Oxford - was available at first only on the Bentley MkVI, the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the Silver Dawn - not appearing until 1949. A separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, that of the MkVI (and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) measuring 10' exactly. The Crewe-built range featured a new design of independent front suspension, hydraulic front brakes and a new 4,257cc, six-cylinder, 'F-head' (inlet-over-exhaust) power unit. The latter was enlarged to 4,566cc in 1951, while a much-needed improvement to the standard bodywork arrived mid-way through 1952 in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated alterations to the rear wings and suspension, subsequent models incorporating these changes being known as the R-Type Bentley and E-Series Silver Dawn.

Left-hand drive chassis number 'B.218.LSR' was manufactured in 1952 and has the Rolls-Royce/General Motors Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission that had recently become available as an option (and would be standardised on the successor Bentley S Series). Destined for shipment to the USA, the Bentley was ordered with flashing indicators; sealed-beam headlamps; high-frequency horns; medium wave radio; bonnet locks; whitewall tyres; and a 'Made in England' nameplate. Its original colour scheme was two-tone Midnight Blue over Shell Grey, with a grey hide interior. The R-Type was retailed by J S Inskip of New York City and sold to the Lionel Corporation, likewise of New York City, for the use of its President, Mr Lawrence Cowen.

Two further owners are listed on the accompanying copy chassis cards: Walt Whitman School of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1963) and David Anthony of Highland Park, Illinois (1966). Apart from the aforementioned chassis card copies, there are no further documents with this Lot. Please also note import taxes will be liable if the car is to remain in the EU. An older restoration, this example is in overall good condition. However, it would require some small aesthetic fixes and a mechanical inspection after a long period in storage.