1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Franay Fastback
- Engine
- Upgraded with larger late-S1 cylinder head and dual 2-inch SU carburetors; inline-six (displacement unspecified)
Bentley R-Type Continental chassis BC51LC is a uniquely configured example bodied by Parisian coachbuilder Marius Franay — the first of only five Continental Rs he clothed, and the sole left-hand-drive specimen fitted with a manual gearbox. Ordered by a French textile family through dealer Franco-Brittanic Autos, the car spent its first decade in France before moving to the United States, where it passed through notable hands including professional golfer Gene Littler. A comprehensive mechanical restoration was undertaken by Vantage Motorworks, after which the car was exhibited at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,083,000
- → 1963Factory deliveryVandendriessche et Fils (Edouard Vandendriessche)partial documentation
Order placed via French dealer Franco-Brittanic Autos; chassis specified left-hand drive with manual gearbox. A period photograph believed taken during this ownership appears in a published Bentley reference work.
- 1963 → 1963Private saleFranco Britannic Automobilespartial documentation
Car returned to the originating dealership and promptly offered for resale.
- 1963 → 1963Private saleFarnham Rehfischpartial documentation
Parisian secondary-school instructor who retained the car for roughly three months before selling.
- → 1965Private salePierre Maurangespartial documentation
Medical practitioner based in the Paris suburb of St. Cloud; third French custodian of the car.
- 1965 → 1977Private saleD.J. Smithpartial documentation
Early American enthusiast of the model who brought the car to the United States for the first time; held it for approximately twelve years.
- 1977 → 1982Private saleGene Littlerpartial documentation
Prominent professional golfer and discerning automobile collector based in California, with connections to fellow collector Bill Harrah; kept the car roughly five years.
- 1982 →Acquisition unknownWest Coast enthusiast owners (succession)none documentation
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBill Jacobspartial documentation
Illinois-based collector noted for acquiring high-performance automobiles; one of several later American custodians.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendor (Massachusetts-based)full documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive mechanical overhaul by Vantage Motorworks and subsequently showed the car at Amelia Island; original spare components held in Massachusetts for the incoming owner.
Competition
- 1951-09-01Speed trials at Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry192 km/h top speed recorded
A Continental prototype, not BC51LC specifically, was used to establish a factory performance benchmark on the banked oval south of Paris.
- 20122012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Car was exhibited following completion of a thorough mechanical rebuild by specialist restorer Vantage Motorworks.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationVantage Motorworks
Full mechanical restoration covering a complete rebuild of the engine, gearbox, and clutch, along with thorough detailing of the engine bay and chassis.
Carried out sometime before the car's appearance at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours; described as a comprehensive overhaul by recognised specialists.
- —Modification
Engine upgraded with a larger cylinder head appropriate to a late S1 specification, plus a twin two-inch SU carburettor installation to improve power and reliability; all original displaced components retained and available to the buyer.
Work carried out after the 2012 concours appearance; timing not further specified.
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