1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon (H.J. Mulliner Fastback)
- Engine
- 4.6L inlet-over-exhaust inline-six with twin SU carburettors, 153 bhp
- Colour
- Tudor Grey
The Bentley R-Type Continental chassis BC25A is an early A-series car bodied by H.J. Mulliner in their signature Sports Saloon fastback style, delivered new in April 1953 to Aristotle Onassis through a Paris dealership. One of 207 production Continentals built between 1952 and 1955, it retains the desirable original specification of rear fender skirts and lightweight bucket seats ordered for the French market. Its subsequent ownership passed through notable California hands before returning to England in 1988, where it was comprehensively restored to its original Tudor Grey and Maroon colour scheme.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,210,000
- 1953-04-01 → 1959Factory deliveryAristotle Onassisfull documentation
Ordered through Paris dealer Franco-Brittanic Autos with French-spec features including rear fender skirts and bucket seats. Ownership documented in the Bentley R-Type Continental Register and Rolls-Royce Foundation records.
- 1959 → 1963Acquisition unknownGeorge Cahanpartial documentation
French owner who held the car for approximately four years before it was exported to the United States.
- 1963 →Private saleJules Heumannpartial documentation
San Francisco resident and longtime co-chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance; drove the car regularly in the Bay Area until a collision necessitated its sale. Purchased via California dealer Peter Satori.
- → 1972Private saleJames Dunbarpartial documentation
San Mateo resident who acquired the car after it was fully repaired following the accident during Heumann's ownership.
- 1972 → 1974Acquisition unknownKent Wakefordpartial documentation
Noted Hollywood cinematographer and automobile enthusiast based in California.
- 1974 → 1988Acquisition unknownCharles Ankerpartial documentation
Santa Monica resident who held the car until it was returned to England in 1988.
- 1988 →Private saleAvid Bentley connoisseur, current ownerpartial documentation
Repatriated the car to England upon acquisition; commissioned a full restoration in 1989 by Vantage Motorworks of Miami, returning it to the original Tudor Grey over Maroon leather specification used for Onassis.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989RestorationVantage Motorworks
Comprehensive restoration returning the car to its original Tudor Grey paintwork and Maroon leather interior, matching the colour combination specified by the original owner. A period-appropriate air-conditioning system was also fitted, routed beneath the rear window.
Work carried out by a Miami, Florida specialist following the car's repatriation to England in 1988.
- —Repair
Full repair of accident damage sustained while in the hands of a San Francisco owner, after which the car was sold on.
- —Service
Ongoing routine maintenance by the current owner's in-house professional staff, keeping the car in excellent overall condition.
Despite being well preserved, minor mechanical attention is recommended given the car's light use since acquisition.
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