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A very special variant of the iconic R-Type Continental Fastback, on one of 24 left-drive central gear change four-speed chassis, was sent to Franco-Brittanic Automobiles December 21, 1953. It was driven from the port to Paris by an FBA chauffeur seated on a crate and sent to Franay of Paris for coachwork, completed and delivered May 20, 1954. Franay built five bodies out of the 208 R-Continental chassis supplied by Rolls-Royce between 1952 and 1955. The other four, not all of which are known to still exist, were more plebian 'notchback' designs similar to production French Fords and the like. Complete difficult to acquire tools and correct handbook accompany the vehicle along with factory records and complete unbroken ownership pedigree.
The car is the only LHD R-Type Continental Franay Fastback in existence! 1 of only 5 bodies that Franay built for the Continental R-Type chassis. Production of the Bentley R-Type started in 1952 and continued through 1955; a great departure from Bentley's traditional chauffeur-driven sedan, the Continental was designed to be driven by the owner-enthusiast. Only 208 cars were built during the three-year period and just 43 had left-hand drive. Profiles of the Continental and the Bentley Mark VI standard sedan are indistinguishable up to the rear edge of the front doors; beyond that point the 'fastback' design incorporates a rear window and a sweeping trunk lid that results in a more spacious luggage compartment. The R-Type was delivered as a rolling chassis for the creation of custom coachwork. This R-Type Continental has a 4,566 cc engine (4.5-liter), a four-speed manual transmission with floor-mounted shifter, and a rear axle geared for high-speed touring; the R-Type can maintain 120-mph for hours without breaking a sweat. Most Continentals were fastbacks built by H. J. Mulliner & Co. in London; Park Ward in London built six, Graber in Switzerland built three, Franay in Paris bodied five cars, and Pinin Farina in Italy created only one. This extremely rare and beautiful example was delivered new to Vandendreissche & Fils May 20th, 1954 in France. Former owners include: D.J. Smith, USA- January 1965 Gene Littler, USA – July 1977 Richard Gorman, USA, 1990 Bill Jacobs, Jr., Joliet, IL. USA, 1990 Blackhawk Collection, Danville, CA. USA, 1990 – current
The car is the only LHD R-Type Continental Franay Fastback in existence! 1 of only 5 bodies that Franay built for the Continental R-Type chassis. Production of the Bentley R-Type started in 1952 and continued through 1955; a great departure from Bentley's traditional chauffeur-driven sedan, the Continental was designed to be driven by the owner-enthusiast. Only 208 cars were built during the three-year period and just 43 had left-hand drive. Profiles of the Continental and the Bentley Mark VI standard sedan are indistinguishable up to the rear edge of the front doors; beyond that point the 'fastback' design incorporates a rear window and a sweeping trunk lid that results in a more spacious luggage compartment. The R-Type was delivered as a rolling chassis for the creation of custom coachwork. This R-Type Continental has a 4,566 cc engine (4.5-liter), a four-speed manual transmission with floor-mounted shifter, and a rear axle geared for high-speed touring; the R-Type can maintain 120-mph for hours without breaking a sweat. Most Continentals were fastbacks built by H. J. Mulliner & Co. in London; Park Ward in London built six, Graber in Switzerland built three, Franay in Paris bodied five cars, and Pinin Farina in Italy created only one. This extremely rare and beautiful example was delivered new to Vandendreissche & Fils May 20th, 1954 in France. Former owners include: D.J. Smith, USA- January 1965 Gene Littler, USA – July 1977 Richard Gorman, USA, 1990 Bill Jacobs, Jr., Joliet, IL. USA, 1990 Blackhawk Collection, Danville, CA. USA, 1990 – current
2014 RM Auctions : Monaco
Sale Price :
USD $963,235 (€ 700,000.00)
2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,500,000-USD $1,750,000
Lot was not sold
1954 Bentley R Type Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley R Type
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK Chassis#: BC38LC Sold for USD$2,975,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon Chassis#: B104LWH Sold for USD$35,840 2021 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours dElegance Online Auction | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon by James Young Chassis#: B26WH Sold for USD$63,800 2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE 4½-LITRE SALOON Chassis#: B292YD Sold for USD$15,118 2021 Bonhams : Bonhams MPH May Auction | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon Chassis#: B54YD Sold for USD$34,100 2021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads February | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon by Freestone & Webb Chassis#: B248YD Sold for USD$33,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1954 Bentley R Type Sold for USD$13,500 2020 GAA : July 2020 | |
1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE STANDARD SALOON Chassis#: B39ZX Sold for USD$88,000 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by Franay Sold for USD$1,083,000 2017 RM Sotheby's : Icons | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon (Standard steel) Chassis#: B64WH Sold for USD$20,785 2017 Historics at Brooklands-Motor Museum | |
1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Saloon Chassis#: B133WG Sold for USD$21,523 2017 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | |
1954 Bentley R Type Chassis#: B70YD Sold for USD$37,671 2016 Barons : Annual Christmas Classic - Sandown Park | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Abbott FHC Sold for USD$50,333 2016 RM Sothebys : Duemila Ruote | |
1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Saloon Chassis#: B137YA Sold for USD$25,914 2016 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC66LC Sold for USD$1,870,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC2LD Sold for USD$1,815,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1954 Bentley R Type Sold for USD$23,100 2015 Morphy Auctions : Premier Automobile Sale | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Chassis#: BC41D Sold for USD$1,012,000 2014 Silverstone : Salon Prive | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by Franay Chassis#: BC51LC Sold for USD$963,235 2014 RM Auctions : Monaco | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Chassis#: BC5LD Sold for USD$1,980,000 2013 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach |
Bentley R Types That Failed To Sell At Auction
1954 Bentley R Type's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner | BC30C | 2024 Gooding & Company : London Auction | $650,000 | $750,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner | BC36C | 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $550,000 | $650,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type 4.9-Litre Continental Fastback Sports Saloon | BC38D | 2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | $350,000 | $400,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner | BC61C | 2024 RM Sothebys : Cliveden House | $450,000 | $550,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon | BC36C | 2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $425,000 | $525,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental H. J. Mulliner Sports Saloon | BC35LC | 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | $2,200,000 | $2,600,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon | BC70C | 2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $500,000 | $700,000 | |
1954 Bentley R Type Standard Steel Saloon | B141ZX | 2018 Anglia Car Auctions : June 2018 | $25,000 | $30,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback | BC70C | 2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection | |||
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner | BC14D | 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monaco | $750,000 | $950,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback | BC58D | 2015 Silverstone Auction Salon Prive Sale | |||
1954 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback | £): 800,000 | 2014 Silverstone Auction NEC Classic Motor Show 2014 | $800,000 | $900,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon | BC51LC | 2014 Bonhams The Scottsdale Auction | $1,500,000 | $1,750,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon | B155YA | 2012 H & H Auctions Rockingham Castle | |||
1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Sports Saloon | B155YA | 2012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia | $23,000 | $26,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Sports Saloon | B105WG | 2011 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia | $16,000 | $20,000 | |
1954 BENTLEY R TYPE | B243LYA | 2011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA | $28,000 | ||
1954 BENTLEY R TYPE | B243LYA | 2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA | $39,000 | ||
1954 Bentley R-Type Countryman | B190UM | 2010 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley Motor Cars and Automobilia | $40,000 | $50,000 | |
1954 Bentley R Type Saloon | 2009 Leake Auctions Houston Annual Leake Auto Auction Reliant Center | $15,000 | |||
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon | B187WG | 2006 Bonhams A Sale of RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia | $18,000 | $22,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Saloon | B393SP | 2005 Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars | $55,000 | $65,000 | |
1954 Bentley R-Type Lightweight Coupe | B77ZX | 2004 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $60,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 |
1954 Bentley R-Type Coupe | B77ZX | 2003 Bonhams RollsRoyce & Bentley Motor Cars & Related Automobilia | $30,000 | $40,000 |
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1954 Bentley R Type
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