1954 Bentley R-Type Continental

Quintessential is an often used word, especially with Classic Cars, quite often misused.

I think on this occasion the use of quintessential correctly describes the 'R' Type Continental

We've had a few of them over the years - that's not bragging, it's what we do as dealers in delightful Classics

We haven't had loads of them either, I suppose as having made only 208, you can't have many - the model was the brainchild of Chief Projects Engineer Ivan Evernden and Chief Stylist John Blatchley

Most of which were the elegant fastback design built by H J MUlliner, 'cos it was the prettiest of the bodies available, by far

In fact 192 were made to this design (7277 design number actually)

Having said that, and not to upset those we have previously had, this is by the far the 'stand-out in the crowd version'

Bought privately in March 2004 from a US toy magnate, who had purchased the car from the late Charles Howard in 1971.

Exported to his estate in East Hampton, NY, it resided with the rest of his collection of cars and boats

In 2004, after over 30 years of ownership, his decided to sell this now-ageing and under-used Bentley

Our great friend flew over to NY and drove straight to East Hampton where he viewed and drove the car shown by the vendor's man. The following day he went to meet the vendor himself in NYC and a deal was struck – on the 50th anniversary of the day it was originally invoiced by Jack Barclay Ltd - blimey !!

The car was subsequently shipped to London, where we took it into our custody, and the long process of restoration began, a little over 2 years to be precise

Everything was there, but she was the antithesis of 'stand-out'

Extras were considered over various dinners & lunches and final specification needed to be:-

Front sports style seats plus the original comfort seats

Spats with Mavrolian wavelets

Spear door handles to mirror the spats wavelet

Sundym glass

Discreetly installed air conditioning

Sunburst walnut veneers (normally only offered to Phantom VI models)

All leather to be purchased from Spinney Beck in the USA

Uprated suspension

Period radio in fascia with hidden modern unit under with 4 topnotch, and hidden speakers

Electric windows using 60's Continental window switch escutchens

Larger Cross Ply tyres

Original Continental badge to boot

GB letters to boot

Inertial real seat belts front & back

Padgett twin exhaust system with free flow manifolds

Wrapped manifolds

....... oh yes, a one off colour which we were to produce in collaboration with the owner

Everything was new or rebuilt, from steering wheel through to gear box, rear axle & engine and everything in between - you name it, we did it !

So that is what you see now in our wonderful images (I say wonderful to acknowledge the time taken to take them by a young photographer)

She came to us in 2002 and she was ready for her for first trip to France 18 months later, with 500 running-miles under her belt before our excited chum sped-off for the trip of a life time

He called me rather excitedly from the queue for the Eurotunnel, to announce he 'got her up to 110mph and there was plenty left in the tank'

In France the speedo nudged 120 - some the road users must have been aghast with this 50 year old vision, blasting past them

Many other tours were completed over the years, on most of which she was transported down to the event, hence the low mileage of under 14.000 since the restoration by us

In fact, we have stored her, serviced her and basically looked after her since she was finished in 2003

She has been to France on various occasions, Switzerland, Italy and also Scotland

She sounds amazing with the 4:9 litre engine, larger carburettors and sports exhaust

The suspension is very compliant even with the updated units fitted, whilst driving in a spirited fashion allows her to be hustled along with gusto

The interior is a place to behold, the Spinney Beck leather is still soft & supple, the Sunburst veneers unblemished and all switch-gear working as new

It's a breeze at an auto-toll with the electric windows too - a very good idea

All R Types look fabulous, however, BC30C in the special Oxford Blue with a splash of black in the mixture, with the Mavrolian Wavelet Spats with the matching Spear door handles, cuts a dash anywhere you go, South of France, Geneve, Italian Riviera or even Central London

In fact, she really does "stand-out in the crowd'