Collectors\' Motor Cars and Automobilia

144 | THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE

'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, 197.

Rolls-Royce commenced production post-war with the Silver Wraith
and Bentley MkV0 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. Production ceased in 1955 after

2,320 R-Types had been built.

Built in 1954, chassis number B137YA was purchased in Victoria,

British Columbia, Canada in 1972 by the current vendor, an R-ROC

member. The car was restored in 1996, when works included rebuilds

of the engine and automatic transmission, and refurbishment of the

brightwork, woodwork, upholstery, carpeting, and headlining. The engine

and transmission were checked and serviced earlier this year. Finished in

Shell Grey/Tudor Grey with red leather interior, this much loved and well

cared-for R-Type is offered with a <K V5 registration document.

£28,000 - 34,000

€32,000 - 39,000

141

1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE 4½-LITRE SALOON

Registration no. PGJ 11

Chassis no. B137YA

• Automatic transmission


• Present ownership since 1972


• Owned by an R-ROC member


• Restored in 1996


• Recently serviced