1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback
- Engine
- 4.9L inline-six
- Colour
- Shell grey over medium blue
Chassis BC9D is a late-production 'D' series Bentley R-Type Continental fitted with the earlier and more sought-after 'C' series H.J. Mulliner Fastback aluminium coachwork. Completed at the factory on 28 May 1954 and delivered to its first owner that August, the car carries notable special-order equipment including electric windows, a flat fuel tank, and twin foglamps. Its history encompasses time in England, the United States, and Belgium before returning to Britain, where it was sold at auction in 2014. The car has appeared in Bentley specialist press and at Frank Dale & Stepsons' Silverstone anniversary event in 2002.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £511,250 (≈ $639K)
- 1954-08-31 →Factory deliveryAlan G Clarkfull documentation
First registered owner, took delivery via Jack Olding Ltd with several special-order features including electric windows and a Plessey radio. Car was originally finished in Black with red interior.
- → 2014Acquisition unknownUK-based owner prior to 2014 auctionnone documentation
Car returned to the United Kingdom and was subsequently consigned to auction in 2014.
- 2014 →AuctionCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired at auction in 2014; maintains a private collection based in Mexico. Car is offered with maintenance records, MoT certificates, and factory build sheet copies.
- Date unknownEnglish owner or owners prior to US exportnone documentation
Car appears to have remained in England through the late 1980s before being exported to the United States.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAmerican ownernone documentation
Car spent a period in the United States before subsequently moving to Belgium.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBelgian ownernone documentation
Car was kept in Belgium for a period before eventually returning to the United Kingdom.
Competition
- 2002-08-0150th Anniversary Celebration at Silverstone
Car was included in the inventory display at a Bentley and Rolls-Royce dealer anniversary event hosted by Frank Dale & Stepsons at Silverstone; also displayed at the British Racing Drivers' Club clubhouse.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
The car was repainted and retrimmed at some point, replacing the original black exterior and red interior with a Shell Grey finish over medium-blue hide and dark-blue Wilton carpeting.
Exact date of this cosmetic change is not recorded in the catalogue.
- —ServiceP&A Wood
Maintenance work carried out by a recognised Bentley marque specialist, with invoices retained in the car's documentation file.
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