Bentley R-Type Saloon, 1953
Bentley R Type
Bentley R Type•
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Chassis No.: B131UL
Estimate: £35,000 - £40,000 GBP
- Automatic transmission
- Rare sunroof example
- A recent acquisition for the collection
The policy of rationalisation begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after the war with the introduction of standard bodywork - produced by the Pressed Steel Company of Oxford - on the MkVI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WW2 product, the MkVI was introduced in 1946, a year ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. Although mechanically similar to the MkVI, the latter was exclusively a coachbuilt car, the first 'standard steel' Rolls-Royce, the Silver Dawn, not appearing until 1949.
The decision to offer a complete car with 'in house' bodywork had been dictated by harsh economic reality. 'Export or die' was the watchword of the late 1940s and the manufacture of standardised steel-bodied cars was deemed essential to selling in sufficient quantities to overseas markets. Despite the misgivings of traditionalists, exports rose steadily and, when the home market stabilised, the classically styled 'standard steel' bodywork proved equally acceptable, making up 80% of total production of this first post-war Bentley.
A separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, that of the MkVI (and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) measuring 10' (3 metres) exactly. The Crewe-built 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. The latter was enlarged to 4,566cc in 1951 while a much-needed improvement to the standard bodywork arrived mid-way through 1952 in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated alterations to the rear wings and suspension, subsequent models incorporating these changes being known as the R-Type Bentley and E-Series Silver Dawn.
This automatic transmission R-Type 'sunroof' saloon is finished in two-tone dark grey over light grey with original dark brown leather trim and beige carpets. The Bentley is a recent acquisition for the collection. Unfortunately Peter de Savary passed away before he had time to enjoy the R-Type, and now the collection is being thinned out. The car comes with a large history file containing numerous servicing receipts and other documentation. Offered with a V5C document.
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/27996/lot/10/1953-bentley-r-type-saloon-chassis-no-b131ul/
