LOT 111 *

1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Saloon Coachwork by H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd Chassis no. B6LXF Engine no. B3X

Sold for €19,550 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 111^*

1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Saloon
Coachwork by H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd Chassis no. B6LXF Engine no. B3X

Autumn Motoring Online|29 November 2021, 13:00 CET|Online, Paris, rue de la Paix

1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Saloon
Coachwork by H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd
Chassis no. B6LXF
Engine no. B3X

• Rare coachbuilt R-Type
• Delivered new to the USA
• Automatic transmission
• Present ownership since 2007

Please note that this motor car will be available for viewing by prior appointment in the Netherlands.

* Please note this motor car is subject to the reduced local import tax should it remains in the EU.
As Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.

Footnotes

"In June 1952 the R-Type was presented to the public and it owed its name to the fact that the VI series had by this time reached the chassis letter R...(it) became one of the most popular Bentleys ever built." – Adams & Roberts, A Pride of Bentleys, NEL, 1978.

Rolls-Royce commenced production post-war with the Silver Wraith and Bentley MkVI models. The traditional separate chassis was retained for the two newcomers, but for the first time there was standard coachwork. This new 'standard steel' body - produced by the Pressed Steel Company, of Oxford - was available at first only on the Bentley, the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the Silver Dawn - not appearing until 1949. The 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 destined for enlargement to 4,566cc in 1951. A much-needed improvement to the standard bodywork arrived in mid-1952 in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated changes to the rear wings and suspension, subsequent models being known as the R-Type Bentley and E-Series Silver Dawn. The two newcomers were the first Rolls-Royce products available with automatic transmission, the company having opted for General Motors' Hydra-Matic, a state-of-the-art four-speed unit permitting manual selection. The standard R-Type was a lively performer, achieving 106mph in silence and reaching 50mph from standstill in 10 seconds despite a kerb weight approaching two tons.

As usual, the R-Type could be ordered in chassis form for bodying by specialist coachbuilders, this example being the work of London-based H J Mulliner, the company responsible for the sublime coachwork of the R-Type Continental.

Accompanying copy chassis cards show that left-hand drive chassis 'B6LXF' was despatched to H J Mulliner for bodying as a four-door, all-metal saloon, having been ordered by Hambro Trading Co of America for distributor S H Arnolt Inc. The Bentley was retailed via Falvey Sales & Service of Detroit, Michigan and first owned by Harwood G Watson, MD, a local physician. An automatic transmission model, 'B6LXF' was originally finished in metallic Tudor Grey with red upholstery. The car was ordered with numerous special features including sealed beam headlamps; Pyrene bumpers; two fog lamps; blinker indicators; electric aerial; flat petrol tank; 'clap hand' windscreen wipers; 12/41 rear axle; and 'anti-hobo' locks to front doors! It appears that Dr Watson kept the Bentley for ten years, the first change of ownership being dated 23rd October 1964 when the car passed to Hal Jones Motors of West Palm Beach, Florida. Unfortunately, nothing is known of the car's subsequent life until the current vendor purchased it from Kees Versluys (Cars of Yesterday) on 9th August 2007 (bill of sale copy on file), no original document will be provided with the car. Today the car would benefit of a respray as the previous one was badly executed and shows defaults all around.

Please note this motor car is subject to import tax if remaining in the EU and, as it has been on static display for a number of years, will require recommissioning for road use.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
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- France VAT rate: 20%
- Belgium VAT rate: 21%
- Netherlands VAT rate: 21%
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- France - Lots 106, 107, 121, 127
Transports Roger Benaim Frank Benaim
+33 6 16 01 16 01
[email protected]
- Belgium - Lots 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 117, 119, 123, 124
Gregory Tuytens
+32 471 71 27 36
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CUSTOMS
Please note that lots 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 118, 120, 122, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133
stored in Europe, are subject to the local import tax should it remains in the EU.
- Lots preceded by STAR SIGN reduced local import tax.
- Lots preceded by OMEGA SIGN normal local import tax.
As Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
For all enquiries relating to Customs, be they administrative or legal, please contact:
Netherlands - CARS Europe BV
Jonathan Round
+31 (0) 252 682 526
+44 7939 810687
[email protected]
France - Belgium - Germany - Transports Roger Benaim
Frank Benaim
+33 6 16 01 16 01
[email protected]
Anthony
+33 6 64 04 27 37
[email protected]
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