1953 | Bentley R-Type Continental

Not Sold | £400,000 - £450,000 GBP

• A remarkable opportunity to become only the third owner of this R-Type Continental
• Delivered new in August 1953 to carpet magnate Cyril Lord of Northern Ireland
• Offered from 50 years of ownership; acquired by the vendor in July 1975
• Presents in its factory colour scheme of Pacific Green over Light Beige hide; wears its original Northern Irish registration number “IJ1”
• Retains its matching-numbers engine
• Accompanied by factory build card copies, Bentley Continental Sports Saloon register assigned to this chassis number, instruction manuals, and R-Type design sketches

Of the 208 examples produced of the R-Type Continental, which arguably remains Bentley’s finest post-war model, few can claim to have just two owners from new. Chassis number BC16B offered here was completed by the Crewe factory on 5 February 1953 before being transported to coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner in Fulham to be mated with its two-door Sports Saloon bodywork. The car, finished in Pacific Green over Light Beige hide, was delivered via the Agnew & Graham Ltd motor agent to first owner Mr Cyril Lord on 20 August.

While the carpet magnate was primarily based in the Northern Irish capital Belfast, Mr Lord would travel between work in London and to Barbados. Forms in the history file show that he was more than happy to let others drive the Bentley while he was overseas. However, one permit documents that Mr Lord took the R-Type with him for use in Victoria, Australia. Accordingly, a June 1968 service record notes this well-travelled car showing 94,565 miles.

Mr Lord had the lightweight front seats swapped to a James Young bench during his ownership, which carried on to 1975. The Bentley was then submitted for auction, at which point it was co-purchased by the vendor. Their custodianship has been logged in the invoices and MoT certificate copies that date back to this time. Having taken sole ownership from 1992, the consigning owner commissioned David AC Royle & Company of Staindrop, Darlington with a bare metal respray.

Revitalised in Pacific Green, chassis BC16B was one of no fewer than 90 R-Type Continentals to be exhibited and lap the Silverstone circuit at the August 2002 meeting of the Bentley Drivers Club as the model celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since then, the steering and suspension were rebuilt by marque specialist Padgett Motor Engineers of Sleaford, Lincolnshire in 2010. The Bentley further benefits from a September 2024 service completed by Mulsanne Motors of Midlothian at a cost of £680.

Complementing this incredible motor car is a dedicated copy of Christian Hueber and David Sulzberger’s Bentley Continental Sports Saloon register, which has been stamped for BC16B. Also offered is an album containing design sketches of the R-Type, copies of the factory build cards, original maintenance guides and handbooks, plus Mr Lord’s cue cards from the speech he gave when opening his factory in Belfast.

Significantly retaining its original 1953 Northern Irish registration number “IJ1”, this fabulous Bentley has only known two keepers in its 72 years. The opportunity to become just the third is certainly not to be missed.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ch25/.