1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon

• One of only 208 produced
• Manual transmission
• Known ownership history
• Present ownership since 2004
• 20,000-mile service by P&A Wood in September 2022

"The vocabulary of motoring being a lame and limited thing, it is difficult to put into words the gulf that separates a Continental from the average car in all the qualities that have a bearing on safety at speed. In acceleration, in braking, in cornering power, in roadholding, in responsiveness to the controls, this Bentley is the equal of modern racing cars, and superior to some." – Raymond Mays, The Autocar, 2nd October 1953.

Described by The Autocar as, 'A new stage in the evolution of the post-war Bentley,' the magnificent Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction in 1952 on the R-Type chassis. Of all-welded construction, the latter enabled the incorporation of a much-needed improvement to Rolls-Royce's standard bodywork in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated changes to rear wings and suspension. 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.
The Continental raised this already superlative combination of high performance and exceptional refinement to hitherto unattained levels. Unlike the ordinary 'standard steel' R-Type, the Continental was bodied in the traditional manner and first appeared with what many enthusiasts consider to be the model's definitive style of coachwork - the lightweight, aluminium, wind tunnel-developed fastback of H J Mulliner. In developing the Continental, Bentley Motors made every effort to keep its weight to the minimum, knowing that this was the most effective way to achieve the maximum possible performance.

Rolls-Royce's six-cylinder, inlet-over-exhaust engine had been enlarged from 4,257cc to 4,556cc in 1951, and as installed in the Continental benefited from an increase in compression ratio - the maximum power output, of course, remained unquoted but has been estimated at around 153bhp. As the Continental matured, there was – inevitably – an increase in weight, which was offset by the introduction of a 4,887cc engine on the 'D' and 'E' series cars, commencing in May 1954. The Continental's performance figures would have been considered excellent for an out-and-out sports car but for a full four/five seater saloon they were exceptional: a top speed of 120mph, 100mph achievable in third gear, 50mph reached in a little over 9 seconds, and effortless cruising at the 'ton'.

Built for export only at first, the Continental was, once delivery charges and local taxes had been paid, almost certainly the most expensive car in the world as well as the fastest capable of carrying four adults and their luggage. "The Bentley is a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances and delivers the occupants well-nigh as fresh as when they started," concluded Autocar.

Chassis number 'BC36C' was first registered on 1st June 1954 and originally owned by a Mr William Herbert Harrison of Staffordshire. The original colour scheme was Shell Grey with light blue trim, while special features included enlarged seat squabs, rear reflectors, and water gutters over the doors.

On 25th April 1962 the Bentley changed hands for the first time, passing to a Mr Gordon Spriggs of Leicestershire and then on 12th August 1963 to Brigadier C C Fairweather. The next three owners were R G Seys (March 1969), M W Sapsford (September 1976) and Douglas Hamilton (January 1980). The late owner acquired the R-Type in 2004 and the car is now offered for sale by his estate.

There are numerous invoices on file for servicing works and general maintenance dating from Mr Hamilton's period ownership, mostly from the 1990s, together with numerous old MoTs and various invoices from the current ownership for general maintenance works carried out by Sergeants of Goudhurst and P&A Wood. The most recent invoice (from P&A Wood) dates from September 2022 and is for a 20,000-mile service carried out to the manufacturer's schedule at a cost of £7,520. Most interestingly the file also contains the original maintenance instructions for the H J Mulliner coachwork, specifically for body number '5699'.

With its outstanding aerodynamic coachwork, developed by Rolls-Royce stylist John Blatchley in collaboration with coachbuilder H J Mulliner, the R-Type Continental fastback remains the pinnacle of Bentley's achievements in the post-war era.