1953 Bentley R-Type

This 1953 Bentley R-Type is a right-hand-drive Park Ward–bodied drophead coupe that was delivered new in the UK. The car is said to have been imported to the US in the 1970s before being acquired by the current owner’s father in the late 1970s. It underwent refurbishment work in the early 2000s including a repaint in its current two-tone cream and light green finish. Power is provided by a 4.6-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and the interior is trimmed in black leather upholstery. Equipment consists of dual SU carburetors, 16″ wheels, a power-operated convertible top, driving lamps, trafficators, and power front windows. Service completed in December 2023 is noted to have involved replacing the front wheel cylinders and fuel pump as well as servicing the brake servo. This R-Type is now offered on dealer consignment in Arizona with manufacturer’s literature, copies of factory documents, and a clean Colorado title. A successor to the Bentley Mark VI, the R-Type was produced from 1952 to 1955 and featured a substantially larger trunk than its predecessor. Park Ward supplied the drophead coupe coachwork for this example. The car was repainted in the current cream and light green in the early 2000s, at which time a power-operated black convertible top was installed. Exterior details include chrome bumpers with overriders as well as tri-bar headlights, driving lamps, fender- and door-mounted side mirrors, trafficators, and rear fender skirts. Rust is noted along the inner rocker panels, and a bulk of the seller’s photos were snapped in August 2023. Steel 16″ wheels feature painted hubcaps and are mounted with 6.50″ Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tires. Braking is provided by drums at all four corners. Work performed in December 2023 is said to have involved servicing the brake servo and replacing the brake master cylinder as well as the front wheel cylinders and brake shoes. The right-hand-drive cabin houses black leather seats, color-coordinated door panels, and replacement carpets. Wood trim adorns the dashboard and door caps, and amenities include power front windows, a rearview mirror, a Smiths analog clock, and a passenger grab handle. The radio has been removed. The three-spoke steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation consisting of a reverse-sweep 110-mph speedometer and a combination gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 22k miles, approximately 10k of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown. The 4.6-liter inline-six is equipped with dual SU carburetors. A number of engine components have been painted black, and work completed in December 2023 reportedly involved replacing the electric fuel pump, fan belt, and fuel filter, as well as performing a tune-up, draining the fuel tank, and filling it with 110-octane fuel. An oil change was also performed at that time. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted shifter. The seller notes a loose transmission linkage and slipping in reverse gear. The shifter linkage and chassis are noted to have been lubricated in December 2023. The Colorado title is listed as a Duplicate.