1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Mulliner Fastback Sports Saloon
- Engine
- 4.9L OHV inline-six, two SU carburettors, 178 bhp
- Colour
- Maroon
Bentley R-Type Continental chassis BC2LD is a 1954 Mulliner Fastback Sports Saloon finished in Maroon over Putty, representing the pinnacle of R-Type Continental specification: the 4.9-litre engine paired with centre-mounted gearchange, lightweight bucket seats, and rear wheel spats — reportedly one of just seven left-hand-drive cars combining all three. Delivered new to a prominent New York family member via Manhattan dealer J.S. Inskip, the car passed through only a handful of careful owners before receiving a restoration brought to Pebble Beach concours standard. It debuted at Pebble Beach in 2009 and earned Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours in 2010.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,815,000
- 1954-11-17 → 1957Private saleMary Thurston Hornfull documentation
Original purchaser, acquired via Manhattan dealer J.S. Inskip. A philanthropist from a prominent New York family, she resided at 1158 Fifth Avenue.
- 1957 → 1995Acquisition unknownArthur M. Youngfull documentation
Aeronautical engineer who personally tuned the engine for greater output and kept the car for the rest of his life, accumulating roughly 110,000 miles.
- 1995 →Private saleUK-based brokerpartial documentation
Purchased from the Young estate and commissioned a restoration before selling the car back to a US buyer.
- → 2009Private saleMiles Marshpartial documentation
US-based owner who engaged Vantage Motorworks of Miami to upgrade the restoration to concours standard, including mechanical overhaul and period-correct electrical components.
- 2009 →Private saleCurrent owner (fourth registered keeper)full documentation
Oversaw completion of the Vantage Motorworks restoration and debuted the car at Pebble Beach in 2009; subsequently achieved Best in Class at Amelia Island in 2010.
Competition
- 20092009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Debut appearance following completion of the concours-level restoration under the current owner.
- 20102010 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Maintenance & restoration
- 1957Modification
Engine tuned by owner Arthur Young, an aeronautical engineer, to produce greater power output than the standard specification.
Noted in the R-Type Continental Register.
- 1995Restoration
A restoration was carried out while the car was in the hands of a UK broker following its acquisition from the Young estate.
Work completed in the United Kingdom before the car was returned to the US.
- —RestorationVantage Motorworks
Vantage Motorworks elevated the previous restoration to Pebble Beach concours standard, encompassing a full mechanical overhaul, detailed attention to electrical components using date-correct Lucas parts, sourcing of an authentic Continental Touring Spares kit, and fabrication of a matched six-piece luggage set to original Mulliner patterns based on factory brochure reference.
Work was initiated under Miles Marsh's ownership and completed after the current owner acquired the car in January 2009.
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