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1953 Bentley R-Type Navigation
At the 1953 Geneva Salon Bentley would debut what would become the famous R-Type. However, what would make that first R-Type so appealing would be the handywork of H.J. Mulliner designer J.P. Blatchley. Aerodynamic and light, the car would be the posterchild of the postwar sports saloon.
In total, there would be five series of the R-Type Continental. But among these series perhaps the most notable and iconic would be the streamlined sports saloons penned by Blatchley. The fastback look of the R-Type would be an amalgamation of conscripting aerodynamics into luxury, coachbuilt automobiles. All together, there would be 207 examples of the streamlined sports saloon built over the period of four years. Of these 207, more than 190 would be fitted with bodies by Mulliner.
One of to be fitted with a Mulliner coachbuilt, streamlined body would be chassis BC20A. The 'A' would denote the first series R-Type and the '20' would represent the 19th example to be built by the factory, the number 13 being omitted for superstitious reasons.
Completed in the early spring of 1953, BC20A would be delivered to Louis Schneiter of Coffet, Switzerland. However, before Schneiter would be able to take delivery of the Bentley it would make an appearance at the Geneva Salon. Complete with full 'spats' and adjustable seats, BC20A would make quite the impression.
Like every Bentley to be clothed with a Mulliner body, this particular example would be brimming with special equipment and other added extras. Some of these special features would include fog lamps, an improved steering gear for better handling, flashing-type turn signals and a radio. Despite the luxurious features, the R-Type would be all about saving weight. Altogether, the special alloy body and chassis would weigh in less than 4,000 pounds making the R-Type a beautiful saloon that had the performance to match the looks.
BC20A would make its way to Switzerland in February of 1953 and would remain in Europe into the early 1960s. At that time, the Bentley would make its way across the 'pond' to the United States and into the possession of Lamont Haggarty.
Some time later, Anthony 'Bud' Korteweg, the founder of The Coachworks, would come to own the car. It would be a fitting acquisition for the man whose facility would be well respected for its work restoring Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles.
Having come into the possession of Korteweg, the Bentley would not be hid away in seclusion. However, Korteweg would see the R-Type as more than just a show car. Having had it restored in totality, Korteweg would use the Bentley as his own personal car. The car would make appearances at events, but it would also head out on a number of trips over the course of its lifetime with Mr. Korteweg.
Having been restored to its original look and feel from when it graced the Geneva Salon in 1953, BC20A remains a fine example of the early A series R-Types and a classical embodiment of Bentley and Mulliner.
Offered at the 2014 RM Auctions event in Monterey the 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon, with coachwork by Mulliner, would garner a sale price of $1,210,000.By Jeremy McMullen
In total, there would be five series of the R-Type Continental. But among these series perhaps the most notable and iconic would be the streamlined sports saloons penned by Blatchley. The fastback look of the R-Type would be an amalgamation of conscripting aerodynamics into luxury, coachbuilt automobiles. All together, there would be 207 examples of the streamlined sports saloon built over the period of four years. Of these 207, more than 190 would be fitted with bodies by Mulliner.
One of to be fitted with a Mulliner coachbuilt, streamlined body would be chassis BC20A. The 'A' would denote the first series R-Type and the '20' would represent the 19th example to be built by the factory, the number 13 being omitted for superstitious reasons.
Completed in the early spring of 1953, BC20A would be delivered to Louis Schneiter of Coffet, Switzerland. However, before Schneiter would be able to take delivery of the Bentley it would make an appearance at the Geneva Salon. Complete with full 'spats' and adjustable seats, BC20A would make quite the impression.
Like every Bentley to be clothed with a Mulliner body, this particular example would be brimming with special equipment and other added extras. Some of these special features would include fog lamps, an improved steering gear for better handling, flashing-type turn signals and a radio. Despite the luxurious features, the R-Type would be all about saving weight. Altogether, the special alloy body and chassis would weigh in less than 4,000 pounds making the R-Type a beautiful saloon that had the performance to match the looks.
BC20A would make its way to Switzerland in February of 1953 and would remain in Europe into the early 1960s. At that time, the Bentley would make its way across the 'pond' to the United States and into the possession of Lamont Haggarty.
Some time later, Anthony 'Bud' Korteweg, the founder of The Coachworks, would come to own the car. It would be a fitting acquisition for the man whose facility would be well respected for its work restoring Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles.
Having come into the possession of Korteweg, the Bentley would not be hid away in seclusion. However, Korteweg would see the R-Type as more than just a show car. Having had it restored in totality, Korteweg would use the Bentley as his own personal car. The car would make appearances at events, but it would also head out on a number of trips over the course of its lifetime with Mr. Korteweg.
Having been restored to its original look and feel from when it graced the Geneva Salon in 1953, BC20A remains a fine example of the early A series R-Types and a classical embodiment of Bentley and Mulliner.
Offered at the 2014 RM Auctions event in Monterey the 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon, with coachwork by Mulliner, would garner a sale price of $1,210,000.By Jeremy McMullen
2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
£625,000-£725,000
Sale Price :
USD $553,260 (£ 641,250.00)
2017 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
Pre-Auction Estimates :
€1,000,000-€1,300,000
Lot was not sold
2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection
Lot was not sold
2014 RM Auctions at Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,300,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,210,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Bentley R-Type
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC39LC Sold for USD$1,312,977 2025 RM Sothebys : Paris | ![]() ![]() |
1953 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel Saloon Chassis#: B80LTN Sold for USD$52,640 2025 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Drophead Coupé by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: B47SP Sold for USD$126,670 2024 RM Sothebys : London | |
1953 Bentley R Type Four-Door Sedan Chassis#: B25RS Sold for USD$14,280 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: BC1LB Sold for USD$747,500 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK Chassis#: BC20A Sold for USD$553,260 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | ![]() ![]() |
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 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 |
Bentley R-Types That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Bentley R-Type's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE SALOON | B484SR | 2021 Bonhams : Bonhams MPH May Auction | $28,000 | $30,000 | |
1953 Bentley Continental 4.9-litre Sports Saloon | BC22A | 2020 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | $550,000 | $700,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon | BC27C | 2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner | BC15B | 2020 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 Saloon | BC20C | 2019 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | $900,000 | $1,100,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon | B572TN | 2019 H & H Classics Imperial War Museum, Duxford | $29,000 | $33,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre Coupé | B135SP | 2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
1953 BENTLEY R TYPE | 488TN | 2019 The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type SR5 Special Roadster | B61UL | 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner | BC20A | 2017 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type | B135TO | 2017 Barons : Classic Winter Warmer | |||
1953 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback | BC20A | 2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection | |||
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback | BC10LB | 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel Saloon | B245UL | 2015 Historics at Brookland | $15,000 | $20,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type | B84T | 2012 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 Mulliner | BC3C | 2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace | $290,000 | $330,000 | |
1953 Bentley R-Type Convertible Coachwork by Park Ward | B38CO5R | 2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace | $55,000 | $70,000 |
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1953 Bentley R-Type
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