Supercars.net

Following World War II, Rolls-Royce transferred production of its motor cars from Derby to its wartime aero-engine facility at Crewe. For the first time, the company built complete cars rather than chassis only. The first postwar Bentley to be built was the Mark VI, a virtual duplicate (sans radiator shell) of its sister, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. Standard bodies were styled by the company’s own designers with ex-Gurney Nutting Chief Designer John Blatchley adding refinement. This was quite a change in philosophy by the parent company Rolls-Royce, yet it reflected the reality that standardized bodies could be built in greater numbers at its new factory in Crewe, England. Custom coachwork was, of course, available at the owner’s discretion.

Engine capacity was increased to 4,566 cc in 1951, and the standard saloon body was revised with a longer boot in 1952. At the same time, chassis numbering had reached the “R” series, causing this model to become known as the R-Type in late-1952. This also marked the arrival of an optional automatic transmission and twin SU carburetors which replaced a single Stromberg unit. A total of 2,325 R-Types in all configurations were produced through 1955.

Story by RM Auctions

Chassis & Sales

1953 Bentley R-Type Freestone & Webb - sold for $12,100 The 1953 Bentley R-Type offered here, chassis B121SP, is one of just 29 examples with the sweeping and dramatic four-door saloon coachwork by Freestone & Webb, which was among England’s smallest and most distinctive custom coachbuilders. More recently, B121SP was depicted as an important example of custom coachwork in the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Buyer’s Guide by Paul Woudenberg. Finished in blue over grey with tasteful brightwork and a grey in... more
Gallery: 2009 Meadow Brook Concours

1952 Bentley R-Type Abbott Coupe B2RT - sold for $105,600 This car, chassis number B2RT, was the first R-Type chassis ever produced. It was sent to E.D. Abbott Ltd. of Farnham, Surrey in June of 1952. It was given a two-door coupe body that was penned by Abbott's chief stylist, Peter Woodgate. The body had originally been intended for an early Mk VI, but was a perfect fit for the new R-Type chassis. With a tall axle ratio, a powerful straight six engine, and relatively lightweight Abbot body, allowed... more
Gallery: Gooding & Company 2010 Amelia Island Auction

1952 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Saloon B4SR - sold for €20,700 This early R-Type was sold new to Reynolds & Parnell Ltd, Buckinghamshire in 1952. In January 1961 the car was sold to an F W Corke, London and subsequently exported to Texas, USA, returning to the UK in 1991. Its next UK owner was a Mr Coster followed by David Binks, who acquired the Bentley in 1995. Restored at around that time, it was subsequently purchased by the current vendor and treated to further refurbishment, which included fitting a... more
Gallery: 2010 Collectors' Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams

1953 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Drophead Coupé - sold for €108,720 As usual, the R-Type could be ordered in chassis form for bodying by specialist coachbuilders, this manual transmission example being the work of Rolls-Royce's subsidiary, Park Ward Ltd. It is one of only 25 R-Type's bodied in this style by Park Ward. Between November 2000 and November 2002 the car was totally restored, both mechanically and cosmetically, at marque specialists Taylor's of Birdham, near Chichester, the work including a full eng... more
Gallery: 2010 Collectors' Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams

1952 Bentley R-Type Abbott Two-Door Coupé B2RT - sold for €119,000 Sold at the Beaulieu Autojumble auction in 1992, 'B2RT' was recorded at that time as having remained in single family ownership from 1962 'until recently', and had been in storage for many years. In January 1993 the Bentley was acquired by its next owner and immediately sent for restoration, a necessarily expensive and lengthy process that took the next 10 years to complete. The current vendor purchased the car at Bonhams & Butterfields' aucti... more
Gallery: 2011 Goodwood Revival Sale by Bonhams

Bentley R-Type Petersen 6½-Litre Supercharged Road Racer B357SP - sold for €310,500 Recalling the formidable Brooklands racers of the 'Roaring Twenties', this wonderfully re-constituted R-Type is the work of Bob Petersen Engineering based at Beaworthy, Devon, a company renowned for the rebuilding, restoration and recreation of classic Bentley motor cars. The car, which is UK registered 'GVH 173', is featured in Ray Roberts's famous book, 'Bentley Specials & Special Bentleys, Volume II' (pages 699 and 703) and is very well kno... more
Gallery: The Paris Sale 2012 by Bonhams

Videos