Bentley R Type

The R Type was Bentley's post-war Crewe saloon, built from 1952 to 1955 as the longer-bodied successor to the Mark VI, with more rear legroom and far more luggage space. This 1954 car is a late example with the longer 3.77:1 final drive and the four-speed automatic gearbox, and it has a large metal sunshine roof.

The engine has been enlarged from the original 4,556cc to 4,887cc, the same dimensions as the last R Type Continentals and the S1. The dealer's workshop stripped, rebored and rebuilt it, and the page says that was less than 1,000 miles ago. The odometer shows 74,863 miles.

It is finished in maroon over black, with a tan interior piped in cherry, cherry carpets, picnic tables and vanity mirrors. The interior was retrimmed in 1998 and the leather is described as hardly worn. The bodywork is generally good, with a few areas that could use light reconditioning. The history file holds invoices back to 1962, the original sales brochure, chassis card details and technical booklets. The toolkit is complete, and the current owner has had the car for nearly 30 years.