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1953 Bentley R-Type Navigation
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.
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
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#: BC17LB Sold for USD$1,215,000 2025 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
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 |
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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
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1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#:ve55s001622 Sold for $214,500 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:AZ370419 Sold for $214,500 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
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1962 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL TOPLESS CUSTOM SEDAN Chassis#:AZ398571 Sold for $214,500 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
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1956 FORD F-100 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:F10V6G18914 Sold for $214,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall | |
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2001 BMW Z8 Chassis#:WBAEJ13441AH60709 Sold for $215,600 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | ![]() |
1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' Convertible with Hardtop Chassis#:11304422000845 Sold for $216,508 2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
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1953 Bentley R-Type
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