1954 Bentley R-Type Continental
- Engine
- 4.5L C-series inline engine
- Colour
- Special Grey
Chassis BC39LC is a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental with an aluminium fastback coupé body by H.J. Mulliner, built to one of the most desirable specifications: left-hand drive, manual central gearshift, lightweight seats, rear wheel spats, and rare factory-fitted luggage. One of just 13 such examples, it was chosen by Bentley as a Brussels Motor Show exhibit before delivery to its first private owner in Belgium. After passing through three owners by 1983 it entered the Etro family for three decades, then underwent a comprehensive bare-metal restoration by Clark & Carter, finishing 2nd in Class at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It retains its original engine and body throughout.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,265,000 (≈ $1.39M)
- 1954 →Factory deliveryEdouard Zurstrassenfull documentation
Belgian owner based in Heusy; took delivery after the car completed its Brussels Motor Show duties. Factory build records document the original specification.
- → 1983Second and third unidentified owners before 1983partial documentation
Two further owners held the car between the first owner and the Etro family; no individual names or dates are given beyond the collective count of three owners by 1983.
- 1983 → 2013Acquisition unknownGerolamo Etropartial documentation
Head of the Etro fashion family; retained the car for roughly three decades before deciding it was due for a thorough restoration.
- 2013 → 2016Private saleTimm Bergoldpartial documentation
Described as the penultimate owner; commissioned Clark and Carter to perform a comprehensive restoration returning the car to its original factory specification, including a new matched luggage set.
- 2016 →Private saleThe Curated Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired the car in early 2016 as the centrepiece of the collection; usage has been deliberately limited since acquisition, keeping the car in exceptional condition.
Competition
- 1954Brussels Motor ShowOfficial Bentley show exhibit
Selected by the factory as a display car; one of very few R-Type Continentals to serve in this official capacity.
- 20152015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in Class
Received a high judges' score after its post-restoration debut; missed first place solely because the car had not completed the associated Tour, which carries separate scoring points.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2013RestorationClark & Carter
Full dismantling to component level including stripping the aluminium body to bare metal; all aspects returned precisely to original factory delivery specification, with a new matched set of fitted luggage produced.
Commissioned by Timm Bergold; special attention paid to retaining originality throughout.
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