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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.
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 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 |
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1953 Bentley R-Type
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