Bentley R-Type Saloon

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Imposing, handsome and dignified, the Bentley R-Type is one of those cars that just exudes class from every angle.

And it doesn't just look good, as Autocar pointed out: "Years of painstaking research and development with mechanical perfection as the goal show their results unmistakably. Smoothness and quietness and sheer quality are in the superlative."

Introduced at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show, the R-Type was a subtle reworking of its MkVI predecessor and would have been called the MkVII had Jaguar not just appropriated the name for their flagship saloon. Effectively a longer booted version of the MkVI, it was powered by a silky smooth 'Big Bore' 4,566cc straight-six engine with twin SU carbs and aluminium cylinder head.

Despite weighing nearly two tons, it was a spritely performer, especially in manual guise, achieving 106mph in near silence and reaching 50 from standstill in just 10 seconds. Servo assisted drum brakes provided the stopping power while suspension was independent with coil springs to the front, leaf springs to the rear. Enjoyable to drive with a light surefooted feel, it had enough power to give even contemporary sportscars a serious run for their money.

Inside things got even better, the lucky occupants cossetted in acres of hide and walnut that truly justified the cliche of 'a gentleman’s club on wheels'. Just 2,320 examples were made before the R-Type was replaced by the much larger S1 in 1955. All the more surprising then, that they are such good value today, being more or less in the same price bracket as a relatively humdrum MkII Jag – a situation that we feel sure cannot continue much longer.

As the original buff log book confirms, this R-Type was bought new by a Thomas Spence of Edinburgh in May 1954 and has had just seven owners since, all documented in the vast history file which accompanies the car. The previous owner kept the car from 1984 until 2013 when it was acquired by the vendor, spending thousands on the car to keep it in good shape. This included an engine rebuild in 1986 at around 65,000 miles, the clock now showing some 85,600 miles.

The car was looked after by marque specialists P&A Wood in the early 1990s and comes with a detailed report from them in 1990 highlighting any areas for improvement, with many P&A W bills over the next few years charting the rectification of various issues. There are also many other bills and correspondence from previous owners charting maintenance from the early 1970s to the present day.

The vendor reports that the car drives extremely well, being easily capable of keeping up with modern traffic and with very good brakes and suspension. It certainly performed well when we were treated to a short test drive on the occasion of our visit, although the vendor advises that there is a slight blow from the exhaust manifold (a replacement gasket set being included in the sale but yet to be fitted).

Supplied with the aforementioned history file and original buff log book, this nicely patinated old Bentley also comes with an original owner’s handbook, current V5C and retains its original Edinburgh number plates.