Property of a Gentleman
1953 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Drophead Coupé

• Rare coachbuilt R-Type soft-top
• One of only three believed made in this style
• Present ownership since 2019
• Not used on public roads since acquisition
• Started regularly

As had been the norm prior to WW2, the Bentley R-Type could be ordered in chassis form for bodying by specialist coachbuilders; indeed, as the factory did not offer a convertible or drophead coupé, a coachbuilt car was the only option if one's preference was Bentley-style fresh air motoring. This example's elegant two-door four-light body is the work of London-based H J Mulliner, the company responsible for the sublime coachwork of the R-Type Bentley Continental. Copy chassis cards on file reveal that 'B73RS' was retailed via Joseph Cockshoot & Co of Manchester for their customer, E Boydell & Co Ltd of Old Trafford, Manchester. The Bentley was originally registered as 'RMA 764'. Only one subsequent owner is listed: Guy Warburton of Harrison Blair & Co Ltd, who acquired the car in March 1962.

Well-known dealer Peter Harper brought the R-Type back from the USA circa 1989 and in 1994 sold it to the Messenger Group (V5 on file). Another old V5 on file lists the next owner as one Stephen John Norbury of Knutsford (from 1995). Purchased at auction for the previous owner's private collection in 1996, the Bentley was registered in the Republic of Ireland from 1997. As well as the aforementioned V5s, the history file also contains a quantity of expired MoT certificates and sundry invoices for work carried out in the 1990s by Scott-Moncrieff and Chris Shenton.

The recently deceased owner purchased the R-Type from Bonhams' sale at the Goodwood Members' Meeting in April 2019 (Lot 104), at which time it was still registered in the Republic of Ireland. The Bentley's original UK registration 'RMA 764' is on the HPI database with no export marker; nevertheless, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this car's registration status prior to bidding. The late owner bought the Bentley as he already owned it's sister car and wanted to have this one restored to make a pair (it is believed only three were built in this style). Sadly, he never got around to it. Since entering the collection the Bentley has been started regularly by the owner's mechanic to keep it in running condition but has never been used on public roads. Offered with an HPI report.