1953 Bentley R-Type Continental

1953 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback Manual by H.J. Mulliner

Chassis number: BC-15-B

Registration Number: NYF575

According to the Continental Register and Bentley factory build records, the R-Type chassis no. BC-15-B was dispatched to H.J. Mulliner in February 1953 and finished in its present colours of Smoke Green paint over a leather interior in Grey Green. Delivered four months later to its first owner, WG Riley of Birmingham, the Continental was next acquired in July 1958 by SB White of Surrey.

In September 1961 the car briefly went to DG Silcock of Acton and remained with him for over twenty years before being purchased by the Rt. Hon. Alan Clark MP, a well-known British enthusiast. Mr Clark was a lifelong motoring aficionado and respected Bentley authority. In his professional life, he served as a Conservative MP for over two decades, worked as the Minister for Defense Procurement and Minister of State for Trade under Margaret Thatcher, and was known for his wit and frank outspokenness.

A firm believer in retaining originality, Mr Clark never performed any cosmetic restoration on BC15B, although he installed lightweight seats and conducted a small number of sporting modifications. When test-driven in 2014 by the esteemed motoring editor Robert Coucher for Octane magazine, the Continental still delivered strong performance while emitting great character.

Following Clark’s passing in late 1999, the R-Type passed into the ownership of his widow, Jane, before it was sold to Mark Stimson of London, who conducted a round of freshening in 2007, as reflected by invoices on file. The lovely Continental continues to present beautifully while offering well-maintained mechanical elements, namely its original engine. This R-Type is surely amongst the best of its breed and is ideal for preservation-class display or presentation at major motoring events.

Please note that this is a car that drives superbly; indeed far better then many simlar examples we have driven. It is a car that will benefit from being left in its original patinated state rather then subjected to a full restoration.