1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon

Among the post-war Bentleys one of the most iconic would be the Continentals, and, none would be better than those clothed with bodies designed and built by H.J. Mulliner. But even among the Continentals there would be one series that would be even more desirable. This particular chassis, BC25A would have all of the desirables in spades; a fitting transport for a shipping baron.

Aristotle Onassis had become a shipping owner during the Second World War and, by the early 1950s, would head up the largest privately-owned shipping fleet in the world. Involved in business dealings in each and every corner of the globe, Onassis was one of the world's richest and most influential men. A man who greatly enjoyed finery, the Greek shipping baron had fine and exacting taste, and this included automobiles.

Developed prior to the Second World War, the Corniche would become the famed R-Type. It would be upon this chassis that H.J. Mulliner would be called upon to design and build a car for Onassis. Using alloys, the body would weigh less than a thousand pounds. The four-passenger body Fastback Sports Saloon prototype would be fitted to the frame and would make for an impressive touring automobile that would look as much a sports car as a fine luxury automobile.

Autocar magazine would name the Onassis Sports Saloon as a 'modern magic carpet.' The prototype would be an amalgamation like no other and would set itself apart from all the other Continentals ever to be produced. Including a custom package costing some $18,000, it would be of little surprise Onassis spared nearly no expense at all to create this remarkable automobile.

The Fastback Saloon would be delivered to Onassis on April of 1953 and would remain with the shipping magnate until 1959 when it would become the property of George Cahan.

The same year in which J.F.K. would die that terrible death in Dallas, BC25A would be sold to Peter Satori, an exotic car dealer based in California. Therefore, the Bentley would make its way to the United States where it would remain for the next twenty-plus years.

Jules Heumann, who was the long-time chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, would become the car's next owner. How fitting it would be that the chairman of what is now the largest concours would drive around in such a unique Bentley.

Sadly, Heumann would suffer an accident in the car and would end up parting ways with the car. Thankfully, the car would be repaired and would soon find another home, this time with James Dunbar of San Mateo. This would take place in 1972.

Two years later, the car would be sold to Kent Wakeford, a well-known cinematographer in Hollywood. Two years after that the car would be sold to Charles Anker. Anker would retain the Bentley for nearly 15 years, but then, in 1988, the car would be purchased by its present owner and would make a return journey to England.

Soon after buying the car, the current owner would have the car restored at Vintage Motorworks in Miami, Florida. Following the completion of the restoration efforts, the car would return to England where it would remain for a quarter-century.

Complete in Tudor Grey and Maroon leather, the original look of the car when delivered to Mr. Onassis, the Bentley features minor touches of chrome brightwork that take the simplicity of the design and elevates its place equal to that of Onassis' private island or 325-foot yacht Christina O.

One of the few A-Series Continentals and a former chariot of Onassis, the 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon would be one of many highlights for RM Sotheby's 2015 Monterey auction. Estimates prior to auction had the Bentley earning between $1,000,000 to $1,200,000.

By Jeremy McMullen