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1954 Bentley R Type Fastback Coupe

  • Coachwork by Mulliner
  • Chassis Number: BC62LC
Slowly the effect of World War II began to wane. However, most of the British Isles, like the rest of Europe, was still rebuilding. Rationing was still a part of everyday life; chains that only allowed an individual to go just so far.

When it would become apparent the country would not only survive, but thrive once again, a mass exodus would take place amongst the nationals. Although the war had been over for years, the population wouldn't really experience freedom until the early 1950s.

Everyone, from the common man to the wealthy man, wanted to experience life. For those that could afford it, opulence was considered life. And for those that could, nothing would provide life-giving pleasure like the Bentley Continental Fastback.

The Bentley Continental had actually come into existence before the start of World War II. These Continental, for their day were fast and comfortable. One particular Bentley, a 1938 4.25-liter Coupe would end up being able to reach more than 120 mph on the autobahns in Germany. The early Continental would eventually lead to the MK V. However, MK V production would be limited by the outbreak of World War II.

After the war, Bentley and Rolls-Royce would move operations to Crewe. Bentley would pick up manufacturing with the MK VI. In spite of the fact the war had ended, and people started to again live a life of normalcy and of greater comfort they would still need some inspiration to truly enjoy life again. Bentley would replace the MK VI with the R-Type Continental and the result would be a rebirth for Bentley. The beautifully designed H.J. Mulliner designs would motivate the wealthy to not just think practically anymore, but artistically and emotionally. And the R-Type's design was truly an evocative design; a flagship for Bentley.

All of the Continentals ever produced for Bentley would be coach-built, and therefore, very distinctive. One of those distinctive designs from Mulliner would be the Continental Fastback. The Fastback featured a steeply descending rear end completed by a boot handle and the Bentley logo.

There would be just 208 R-Type Continental cars built. Out of those, 193 would include the Mulliner Fastback Coupe design. Only 43 out of the 208 would come fitted with left-hand drive direct new from the factory. And among those 43, only nine would be fitted with automatic transmissions before leaving the factory. These nine cars would certainly be the rarest of the bunch. And one of them would be available for auction in Monterey, California.

Chassis BC62LC certainly is one of the rarest Mulliner Fastback Coupes, but it would also have a history filled with extra highlights that would cause the car even more of an interesting showpiece. This specific chassis, made available through RM Auctions, would be finished in midnight blue with maroon Connolly leather interior and would be delivered to Laurence Rockefeller in 1954. The car would be delivered to New York on board the SS Mauretania. Laurence Rockefeller was a philanthropist and a rather generous individual. The car would actually be a gift to his wife Mary Rockefeller.

Mary would own the car until 1960 when it would be sold to John Merriam, the CEO of Northern Natural Gas Company. Merriam would keep the car until 1972 when it would again be sold, with air conditioning, to Virgil Campbell. Peter Hageman would eventually purchase the car in 2001. It would eventually change hands a couple more times before it would go through come mechanical work by Mosier Restoration in Inglewood, California. The car would further go through restoration in 2007.

As presented at the time of auction, the car was expected to earn somewhere around $850,000 and $1,000,000. It would come with a 155 hp, 4.8-liter six-cylinder engine with dual SU carburetors; making it the fastest production car of its time. Even after some sixty years of age, the quality of the Bentley Continental Fastback still offers confidence of extended high-speed cruising.

One of the definitive examples that charted Bentley's course after the war, this rare Fastback Coupe also has that particular personal history that makes the car a centerpiece not just in any collection but in conversation as well.

At auction, the lot was sold for the sum of $753,500 which included buyer's premium.

Sources:

'Featured Lots: Lot No. 213: 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner', (http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r198&fc=0). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r198&fc=0. Retrieved 19 August 2011.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Bentley R Type', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 5 July 2011, 12:15 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bentley_R_Type&oldid=437861746 accessed 19 August 2011

By Jeremy McMullen

2011 RM Auctions at Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $850,000-USD $1,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $753,500

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 image  1954 Bentley R Type image  
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 image  1954 Bentley R Type image  
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 image  1954 Bentley R Type image  
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 image  1954 Bentley R Type image  
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 image  1954 Bentley R Type image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports SaloonBC36C2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival $425,000$525,000
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental H. J. Mulliner Sports SaloonBC35LC2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction $2,200,000$2,600,000
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports SaloonBC70C2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale $500,000$700,000
1954 Bentley R Type Standard Steel SaloonB141ZX2018 Anglia Car Auctions : June 2018 $25,000$30,000
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental FastbackBC70C2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection   
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. MullinerBC14D2016 RM Sotheby's : Monaco $750,000$950,000
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental FastbackBC58D2015 Silverstone Auction Salon Prive Sale   
1954 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback£): 800,0002014 Silverstone Auction NEC Classic Motor Show 2014 $800,000$900,000
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports SaloonBC51LC2014 Bonhams The Scottsdale Auction $1,500,000$1,750,000
1954 Bentley R-Type SaloonB155YA2012 H & H Auctions Rockingham Castle   
1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Sports SaloonB155YA2012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia $23,000$26,000
1954 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Sports SaloonB105WG2011 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia $16,000$20,000
1954 BENTLEY R TYPEB243LYA2011 McCormicks Auction #50 Palm Springs CA$28,000  
1954 BENTLEY R TYPEB243LYA2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA$39,000  
1954 Bentley R-Type CountrymanB190UM2010 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 SaloonB187WG2006 Bonhams A Sale of RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia $18,000$22,000
1954 Bentley R-Type SaloonB393SP2005 Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars $55,000$65,000
1954 Bentley R-Type Lightweight CoupeB77ZX2004 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island$60,000$70,000$90,000
1954 Bentley R-Type CoupeB77ZX2003 Bonhams RollsRoyce & Bentley Motor Cars & Related Automobilia $30,000$40,000

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1954 Bentley R Type

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