Imposing, handsome and above all dignified, the Bentley R-Type is one of those cars that just exudes class from every pore. 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 other cars 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 gentlemans 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 humdrum MkII Jag – a situation that we feel sure cannot continue much longer.
Looking particularly handsome in blue over silver, this particular car has the desirable manual gearbox and is said to be in very good condition throughout. Supplied new by Jack Barclay of London in October 1952, it was first owned by JKW Broadhead of Bury Hall, Thetford, a director of the Sheffield Cabinet Company. Judging from the bills and letters in the history file, it appears to have been in regular use pretty much ever since.
From 1998 until earlier this year, the car was earning a good living as a wedding carriage, covering some 20,000 miles in that ten year period and being meticulously maintained throughout to ensure the reliability that nervous brides demand. There are many bills on file from marque specialists Hillier Hill of Olney for service work during that period, including a recent full brake overhaul, new fuel pumps and a new radiator core. In 2003 they were entrusted with overseeing a full bare metal repaint which cost over £12,000 and resulted in the superb coachwork you see today. Photos on file show the high standards with which this work was carried out.
Said to be as sound underneath as it is on top, the car has just completed a 400 mile tour of Wales during which it is said to have behaved faultlessly, using not a drop of water or oil and easily keeping up with its travelling companions which included two Lagondas and a Jaguar C-Type replica. The only fault which the vendor is aware of is the oil pressure gauge which under-reads by approximately 7lbs. The oil pressure has been professionally checked and is 24lbs at 50mph when hot, which is well within tolerance for a healthy engine.
Currently taxed and with an MOT until May 2009, the car comes with lots of bills back to 1968, copies of the original factory build sheets and many old MOTs back to 1973 to show regular use. It retains a full set of tools, both in the boot and under the dash, and has a nicely patinated interior which was re-trimmed in 1976 and has been regularly cared for ever since. Freshly serviced before its Welsh jaunt, the car is due to be driven 60 miles to the saleroom and is ready for immediate use.
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