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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
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
2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,200,000
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)
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 | |
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.
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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