1954 Bentley R Type Continental Fastback

Despite its name, the two-door Continental was produced principally for the domestic home market with just 208 built, 165 of these in right-hand drive guise. Like many handcrafted coach-built cars of the period the chassis were produced at the Rolls-Royce Crewe factory and shared many components with the standard R-Type. Coachwork for the majority of cars was completed by H. J. Mulliner & Co. who mainly built them in Fastback Coupé form. A definitive style of coachwork, the lightweight, aluminium wind tunnel-developed fastback of H.J. Mulliner centred strongly on keeping weight to a minimum in order to retain as much power and performance as possible.

We are delighted to be able to offer this rare late D Series fastback car by H.J. Mulliner of Chiswick. This car is just one of three produced in right-hand drive with the automatic gearbox.

Mr. Alan G Clark ordered chassis number "BC9D" on the 31st March 1954. The original order, which can be found in the history file, details "Special Features' including; electric window lifts, flat petrol tank, Smiths ventilation and heating system and 2 RD 8187 Foglamps in place of the standard centre lamp.

Being the late D Series it benefits from having the larger 4.9-litre engine. The car comes to us with an extensive history file for major works undertaken to it during the last few years. This includes a full respray in Shell Grey complemented by a mid-blue hide interior & dark blue Wilton carpets. The wood was removed and refinished to a very high standard with provision being made for a state of the art modern sound system cunningly concealed in a slide out tray. The car is fitted with air conditioning, which blows ice cold and keeps the occupants pleasantly cool on a summer's day. Unusually for the model, this car also has power windows fitted.

The car has been maintained regardless of cost with extensive works having been completed by both P & A Wood and Frank Dales. Indeed there is a bill on file in 2004 for £48,000 from P & A Wood, a testament to the pampered existence this magnificent automobile has lived.

This is a car presented in impeccable, close to concours condition and we are informed by the vendor that it needs nothing doing whatsoever. It is particularly pretty in its Shell Grey colour scheme garnering attention wherever one parks it. A beautifully styled masterpiece, this car offers gracious classic motoring with just a hint of modern convenience.