conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon

  • Coachwork by Mulliner
  • Chassis Number: BC16LA
  • Engine Number: BCA15
  • Body Number: 5480
This is the 15th of just 24 Continental Sports Sedans built in 1953 and slated for U.S. delivery. It is powered by a 4.9-liter six-cylinder engine and is fitted with a comprehensive list of special features including lightweight Mulliner seat frames, sealed beam headlights, high-frequency horns, fog lamps, special bumpers and U.S. compliant blinking turn signals. It is the first 'R-Type' with a center floor-mounted gear-change lever rather than the traditional column shift and one the very few with left-hand drive. Coachwork is by H.J. Mulliner.

It returned to England early in 1954 and then to Le Touquet, France in the spring. It remained in France with its owner until 1965 when it was sold and returned to America.
The Georges-Paulin-designed Corniche prototype of 1940 eventually evolved into H.I.F. Evenden and J.P. Blatchley's R-Type Continental. The design and development of the prototype Continental was entrusted to H.J. Mulliner, which was based on the frame, suspension, steering and braking components of a standard R-Type. Light alloy was used for the body, window, and seat frames. The entire package, including the body and chassis, weighed less than 4,000 pounds. During extensive testing, the prototype's gearbox overdriven top gear was found to be unsuitable for the RPMs offered by the engine. In response. It was replaced by a direct-ratio top gear and lower axle ratio, offering better high-speed touring and well-spaced gear changes for city driving.

Between May 1952 and April 1955, 207 production Continentals were built. Mulliner was tasked with crafting bodies for 193 of those, giving them variations of their prototype design, which was dubbed the Sports Saloon. The Mulliner-bodied R-Type Continental was a build-to-order package that had a price tag of $18,000.

This particular example, chassis number BC16LA, is the 15th R-Type Continental produced as part of the inaugural A-Series and as a left-hand drive model. This car is one of only twenty-four Continentals built in 1953. The car was ordered with an extensive list of special features, including special H.J. Mulliner lightweight seat frames, sealed-beam headlamps, high-frequency horns, fog lamps in front of the standard center driving lamp, and American flasher-type turn indicators. The Wilmot Breedon 'export'-type steel bumpers were noted to be fitted an inch further forward than standard. This was also the first R-Type Continental with the optional center gear change, rather than the standard steering column-mounted shift lever.

After the car was put through testing, the car was shipped to San Francisco via the S.S Loch Garth on January 15, 1953, for display by West Coast dealer Kjell Qvale. The original owner was Svante Magnus Swenson. Swenson returned the car to England in 1954 and then flew it to Le Touquet, France, on April 26, 1954.

In 1965, the car was retrofitted with an updated larger engine of a 3¾-inch bore, and the original engine, BCA15, is reported to have been installed in another chassis. Later in like, the car was put into storage, where it would remain for many years before being sold to a new owner who would direct its painstaking re-commissioning. The car was later sold to James Patterson before entering its current ownership.

The car is finished in black over brown. Under the engine is its BCA15 engine, indicating either incorrect previous registry data or a reinstallation of the original powerplant.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015

2015 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,500,000-USD $1,700,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,525,000

2012 RM Auctions - Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,100,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,622,500

1953 Bentley R-Type Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Bentley R-Type

(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK
Chassis#: BC20A
Sold for USD$553,260
  2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction
1953 Bentley R-Type image  1953 Bentley R-Type image  
1953 Bentley R-Type
Sold for USD$46,200
  2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Empress Saloon
Chassis#: B25RS
Sold for USD$44,265
  2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon
Chassis#: B378TN
Sold for USD$29,150
  2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis#: BC1LB
Sold for USD$1,435,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1953 Bentley R-Type image  1953 Bentley R-Type image  
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE SALOON
Chassis#: B11SP
Sold for USD$81,003
  2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Empress by Hooper
Chassis#: B320TN
Sold for USD$49,500
  2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon (Standard Steel )
Chassis#: B501SP
Sold for USD$31,445
  2019 Historics at Brooklands - Motor Museum
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon
Sold for USD$12,375
  2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon
Chassis#: B66TN
Sold for USD$12,375
  2019 Auburn Spring : RM Auctions
 
1953 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Drophead Coupé
Chassis#: B73RS
Sold for USD$115,744
  2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon
Chassis#: B402TN
Sold for USD$46,750
  2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale
 
1953 Bentley R-Type
Sold for USD$44,000
  2019 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1953 Bentley R Type
Sold for USD$11,550
  2018 Mecum : Kansas City
 
1953 BENTLEY R TYPE RHD
Sold for USD$39,900
  2018 McCormick's - # 65
 
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE SEDAN
Chassis#: B417SP
Sold for USD$25,850
  2018 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon
Chassis#: B95UL
Sold for USD$23,076
  2017 Bonhams : London Olympia
 
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon Coachwork by James Young
Chassis#: B372SR
Sold for USD$19,575
  2017 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale
 
1953 Bentley R-Type
Chassis#: B358TN
Sold for USD$33,082
  2016 Silverstone Auctions : NEC Classic Motor Show
 
1953 Bentley Type R
Chassis#: B427SP
Sold for USD$17,600
  2016 The Finest : Aspen
 

Bentley R-Types That Failed To Sell At Auction

1953 Bentley R-Type's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE SALOONB484SR2021 Bonhams : Bonhams MPH May Auction $28,000$30,000
1953 Bentley Continental 4.9-litre Sports SaloonBC22A2020 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $550,000$700,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports SaloonBC27C2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek $800,000$1,000,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. MullinerBC15B2020 RM Sothebys : Paris $700,000$800,000
1953 Bentley R-Type 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee$35,000$60,000$80,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports SaloonBC20C2019 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $900,000$1,100,000
1953 Bentley R-Type SaloonB572TN2019 H & H Classics Imperial War Museum, Duxford $29,000$33,000
1953 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre CoupéB135SP2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale $100,000$150,000
1953 BENTLEY R TYPE488TN2019 The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars $65,000$75,000
1953 Bentley R-Type SR5 Special RoadsterB61UL2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting $70,000$90,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. MullinerBC20A2017 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba $1,000,000$1,300,000
1953 Bentley R-TypeB135TO2017 Barons : Classic Winter Warmer   
1953 Bentley R Type Continental FastbackBC20A2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection   
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental FastbackBC10LB2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours $1,400,000$1,800,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel SaloonB245UL2015 Historics at Brookland $15,000$20,000
1953 Bentley R-TypeB84T2012 Russo and Steele Scottsdale   
1953 Bentley R Sedan 2011 Branson Collector Car Auction Oct 22, 2011$33,000  
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback by MullinerBC3C2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace $290,000$330,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Convertible Coachwork by Park WardB38CO5R2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace $55,000$70,000

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $182,084 range.
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
Chassis#:ve55s001480
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Glendale
2006 Lamborghini Murcielago
Chassis#:zhwbu16s16la01820
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Glendale
1968 Chevrolet C10 Pickup
Chassis#:ce148z145827
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Glendale
1964 Imperial Crown Ghia Presidential Limousine
Chassis#:9343106753
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Glendale
1957 Facel Vega FV3 Coupé
Chassis#:FV3 57 199
Sold for $181,176
2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris
1961 Porsche 356B T5 Super 90 Roadster Coachwork by Drauz
Chassis#:88972
Sold for $181,176
2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris
1969 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV
Chassis#:U15FLD96930
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1972 DE TOMASO PANTERA
Chassis#:THPNMA02943
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
2006 HUMMER H1 ALPHA WAGON
Chassis#:137PH84336E234321
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
2016 FORD SHELBY GT350 WIDEBODY PROTOTYPE
Chassis#:1FA6P8JZXG5522039
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1968 SHELBY GT350-H
Chassis#:8T02J15539801219
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1969 PONTIAC GTO JUDGE RAM AIR III
Chassis#:242379P309646
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1
Chassis#:1G1Y42D98K5800555
Sold for $183,700
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1971 FORD BRONCO SPORT CUSTOM SUV
Chassis#:AZ393333
Sold for $181,500
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE SPEEDVETTE
Chassis#:1Z67J3S420688
Sold for $183,700
2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1970 Shelby GT350 Convertible
Chassis#:0f03m481947
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1968 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T
Chassis#:xs29j8b246573
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
2009 Dodge Challenger Petty's Garage Convertible
Chassis#:2b3lj54t99h636227
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible
Chassis#:1g1yf3d32p5602721
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
2020 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
Chassis#:wdcyc7hj4lx334764
Sold for $181,500
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee

1953 Bentley R-Type

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Bentley R-Type model years

1953 Bentley R-Type Vehicle Profiles