1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon
- Engine
- 4.9L OHV inline-six with twin SU carburettors, 178 bhp, paired with four-speed automatic gearbox
- Colour
- Velvet green over green leather
Chassis BC14D is a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner in the Fastback Sports Saloon configuration — one of 193 such bodies built on the 207-car production run. Completed in October 1954 and delivered in March 1955, it was ordered with several bespoke options including offset steering, lightweight overriders, and automatic transmission. A documented, unbroken ownership chain traces the car from its original Yorkshire owner through four subsequent custodians, and it has been maintained regularly in Monaco for several decades.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €750,000 – €950,000
- 1955-03-15 → 1959Factory deliveryWilliam A. Headlamfull documentation
Steamship line executive based at Raithwaite Hall in Whitby, Yorkshire; took delivery via local Bentley agents Myers & Burnell. Vehicle was completed in October 1954 but not handed over until March 1955 and included several bespoke specification choices.
- 1959 → 1966Private saleJ. Stephensonpartial documentation
Described as a personal acquaintance of Jack Barclay; no further biographical detail provided.
- 1966 → 1975Acquisition unknownHon. R.H.C. Nevillepartial documentation
One letter attributed to a prior owner from this era humorously referenced the 1970s fuel crisis and plans to temporarily replace the Bentley with a small Japanese car.
- 1975 → 1988Acquisition unknownJ.R. Wildpartial documentation
- 1988 → 1993Acquisition unknownA.G. Eliadesfull documentation
Interior retrimming was carried out in 1988, with invoices included in the history file.
- 1993 →Private saleLuca Bassani Antivaripartial documentation
Founder of Monaco-based Wally Yachts; took delivery dramatically in St Tropez and used the car regularly along the roads of Monaco and the surrounding region. Ongoing servicing entrusted to Chelsea Workshops.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1988Bodywork
Full re-trimming of the interior carried out; invoices for this work are present in the history file.
Work coincides with the car's acquisition by A.G. Eliades.
- —ServiceChelsea Workshops
Ongoing routine maintenance carried out by Chelsea Workshops throughout the current long-term ownership, keeping the car in regularly driven condition.
Described as regular and careful; an RM Sotheby's specialist reported faultless performance during a pre-sale drive in the hills above Monaco.
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