1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon
- Colour
- Pacific Green over light beige leather
A 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental with H.J. Mulliner two-door Sports Saloon coachwork, finished in Pacific Green, and one of only 208 built. Delivered new to carpet entrepreneur Cyril Lord, the car travelled extensively — including to Australia and Barbados — before passing to its second owner in 1975, who has held it for the majority of its life. Notably, it retains its original 1953 Northern Irish registration and has had just two owners in over seven decades.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £400,000 – £450,000
- 1953-08-20 → 1975Factory deliveryCyril Lordfull documentation
Textile magnate based primarily in Belfast who used the car across multiple countries including Australia and Barbados. During his tenure the original lightweight front seats were replaced with a James Young bench seat.
- 1975 → 1992AuctionVendor at 1975 auctionpartial documentation
Car was co-purchased at auction in 1975; ownership shared until sole custody was assumed in 1992. Invoices and MoT certificate copies document this period.
- 1992 →Private saleCurrent consignorfull documentation
Took sole ownership in 1992 and commissioned a bare-metal respray in Pacific Green by David AC Royle and Company of Staindrop, Darlington. Steering and suspension were subsequently rebuilt in 2010 and a service was carried out in September 2024.
Competition
- 2002-08-01Bentley Drivers Club 50th Anniversary MeetingParticipated — lapped the circuit
One of around 90 R-Type Continentals gathered at Silverstone to mark the model's half-century. Car was also exhibited at the event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953Modification
Lightweight front seats replaced with a James Young bench seat during first ownership.
Change made at some point during Cyril Lord's ownership, which ran from 1953 to 1975.
- 1992BodyworkDavid AC Royle & Company
Full bare-metal respray carried out, returning the car to its original Pacific Green finish.
Work commissioned by the consignor following assumption of sole ownership; workshop located in Staindrop, Darlington.
- 2010MechanicalPadgett Motor Engineers
Complete rebuild of the steering and suspension systems.
Carried out by a Bentley marque specialist based in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
- 2024ServiceMulsanne Motors
Routine service completed at a cost of £680.
Workshop located in Midlothian.
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