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1953 Bentley R-Type background image

1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon

  • Chassis Number: B-157-TO B-78 T
  • Engine Number: B 006157
1953 Bentley R-Type Navigation
After World War II Rolls-Royce resumed car production with the Bentley Mark VI with modifications (larger engine and boot) evolved into the R-Type. Departing from the custom coach bodies of the pre-war era, the first post World War II Bentley cars were factory fitted with steel coach work. A limited number of Mark VI and R's were re-badged with Rolls-Royce grills and marketed as Silver Dawns. This R-Type was known as the 'big bore and big boot' sports saloon which was advertised as 'the silent sports - to be driven by its owner'. A 4.5-liter six-cylinder engine with a four-speed floor shift makes the car very responsive and fun to drive.

This car was the 1953 display model of London car dealer Charles Follett Ltd. The car was originally painted in a somber Tudor gray and had gray hides, piping and head cloth. The first owner was a lawyer R.D. Blackwell of Eaton Square in London. In 1957 the car was owned by C.C. Hodson of Egerton Crescent, London and in 1961 by John Hal O.B.E. and a Member of the House of Commons.

The car was exported to New York and driven by Broadway Actor Patrick O'Neil. In 1971 it was purchased by his business partner Dick Harvey and had a three year group up restoration to the highest standards at the works of John McComb with Butch Murphy in Columbus, Ohio. The colors - Scottish Pine Green with Butterfly Yellow side panels are authentic Rolls-Royce color options.

The car was awarded a National First Place at the French Lick meet in 1981 by the Rolls Royce Owners Club. In 1999 the car won a coveted 'Amelia Award' at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In 2002 the car was shipped to England and was shown at the Bentley Driver's Concours and driven on the BDC 2000 mile European tour. In 2003 the car was awarded First Place in the Annual Heritage Plantation British Car Show, and won First Place in the Touring Class at the National Meet of the Rolls Royce Owners Club in Newport. In 2005 the car was Best in Class at the British Car Club of Charleston, and won its class at Euro Fest.

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

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 image  1953 Bentley R-Type image  
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 image  1953 Bentley R-Type image  
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK
Chassis#: BC20A
Sold for USD$553,260
  2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction
1953 Bentley R-Type image  1953 Bentley R-Type image  
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 image  1953 Bentley R-Type image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPE SALOONB484SR2021 Bonhams : Bonhams MPH May Auction $28,000$30,000
1953 Bentley Continental 4.9-litre Sports SaloonBC22A2020 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $550,000$700,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports SaloonBC27C2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek $800,000$1,000,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. MullinerBC15B2020 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 SaloonBC20C2019 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $900,000$1,100,000
1953 Bentley R-Type SaloonB572TN2019 H & H Classics Imperial War Museum, Duxford $29,000$33,000
1953 Bentley R-Type 4½-Litre CoupéB135SP2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale $100,000$150,000
1953 BENTLEY R TYPE488TN2019 The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars $65,000$75,000
1953 Bentley R-Type SR5 Special RoadsterB61UL2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting $70,000$90,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. MullinerBC20A2017 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba $1,000,000$1,300,000
1953 Bentley R-TypeB135TO2017 Barons : Classic Winter Warmer   
1953 Bentley R Type Continental FastbackBC20A2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection   
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental FastbackBC10LB2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours $1,400,000$1,800,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel SaloonB245UL2015 Historics at Brookland $15,000$20,000
1953 Bentley R-TypeB84T2012 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 MullinerBC3C2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace $290,000$330,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Convertible Coachwork by Park WardB38CO5R2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace $55,000$70,000

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1953 Bentley R-Type

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