1954 Bentley R-Type

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys Paris event, 4 - 5 February 2025.
Offered Without Reserve 1,800,000 - 2,400,000 EUR

• One of the finest R-Type Continentals in existence
• Presented on the Bentley stand at the 1954 Brussels Motor Show
• The greatest specification of left-hand-drive, manual central gearshift, rear wheel spats, lightweight seats, and fitted luggage from new
• Restored to an incredible standard by Clark & Carter Restorations
• Finished in its original colours of Special Grey over a Tan leather interior
• Fitted with its matching-numbers engine and body
• Known European provenance six owners from new
• Award winner at Pebble Beach Concours dElegance

Style and beauty are subjective to individual tastes but the Bentley R-Type Continental is universally regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Its sublime fastback coup body was hand-formed out of aluminium by skilled craftsman at H.J. Mulliner. The body was then fitted to Bentleys high-performance chassis, which resulted in a car that was not only one of the fastest in the world at the time, but one that truly lived up to its name in being able to conquer continents with ease.

In total, 207 production R-Type Continentals left Crewe. Today, the most desirable are cars delivered in left-hand-drive with a manual central gearshift and lightweight seats just 13 examples were produced. Chassis number BC39LC is one of these fabled examples and is even more coveted for being specified from new with rear wheel spats and very rare fitted luggage. According to its factory build sheets, this 4.5-litre C-series (featuring much more svelte body lines than later series) was specified in Special Grey over a Tan leather interior, gaining colonial springs, uprated dampers, a large front anti-roll bar, a speedometer reading in kilometres, and twin foglamps. To further enhance its stunning appearance, chrome side mouldings were also fitted, along with the popular Wilmot Breedon bumpers.

Importantly, chassis BC39LC was selected by Bentley for the Brussels Motor Show in January 1954, making it one of very few R-Type Continental show cars. Once official duties were concluded, it was delivered to Edouard Zurstrassen of Heusy, Belgium. Perhaps in recognition of its extraordinary quality, the Bentley never experienced fleeting ownership having had just three owners by 1983 before joining the Etro family, famed for its eponymous fashion house.

Gerolamo Etro kept chassis BC39LC for a remarkable 30 years, but by 2013 this significant R-Type had become the perfect candidate for restoration and was sold to its penultimate owner, Timm Bergold. Clark & Carter then carried out one of their signature restorations, taking chassis BC39LC down to component form, including the aluminium body being returned to bare metal. Careful consideration for originality was afforded to all aspects of the restoration and it was returned exactly to its delivery specification, including a new set of fitted luggage.

This remarkable R-Type Continental was revealed at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance. Garnering an outstanding score from judges, it was awarded 2nd in Class, only losing out on 1st for not participating in the Tour thus denying it key points. In early 2016, chassis BC39LC joined The Curated Collection as its crown jewel. Maintained and carefully stored since then, this Bentley has seen limited use so it remains in stunning condition, making it one of the finest R-Type Continentals in existence.

Among R-Type Continentals, chassis BC39LC will remain unique. One of just 13 to be built in left-hand drive with a manual central gearshift and lightweight seats, even fewer were built new with desirable rear wheel spats, and just two of these were specified with fitted luggage. Of these 13, only one was used for a motor show, which is chassis BC39LC, making it arguably the greatest of all R-Type Continentals. Known history from new, and still fitted with its original engine and body, this wonderful R-Type Continental would be the perfect tool for touring across countries or entering major Concours around the world, all in effortless style.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa25/.