Bentley R Type Automatic

This 1953 Bentley R Type has the automatic gearbox, which was specified when the car was ordered new. It has an unusual past for a car of its age: it was the main rally car of a collector of Bentleys and Rolls-Royces, and it has covered around 50,000 miles across five continents and 26 countries.

It was supplied through Jack Barclay to Lord Foley, the 8th Baron Foley, who kept it for fourteen years. The build cards record some personal touches, including a lowered driver's seat and a St Christopher badge on the glovebox. The car has had three owners from new.

It is finished in Masons Black over silver grey, with the original brown leather interior. Changes made for reliable running include an electric fan ahead of the radiator and a mixture setting for high altitude, which was used in the Andes. The history file holds about £80,000 of bills, with work by Jonathan Wood, P&A Wood and the late Arthur Archer.