1952 Bentley

• One of the very first R Type Continentals built
• A lightweight example weighing in at 3,798 lbs when new
• A superb specification, with lightweight seats, manual transmission and rear wheel spats
• Acquired by the present owner in 2022 and significantly improved since then
• Extensive history from the penultimate owner (between 1978 and 2022) and the present owner
• Complete with original handbook and original service manual
• Comes with the beautiful R Type Continental owners edition book by Hueber and Sulzberger  
• Approximately £140,000 of recent works between 2022 and 2025

Chassis No BC11A is one of the very first R Type Continentals produced and was originally completed and purchased in late 1952 and then delivered in February of 1953 to its first owner Mrs Loel Guinness. It was supplied through Franco Britannic Automobiles, the French Rolls-Royce agent, finished in Tudor grey with a maroon leather interior (VM 3186) Mrs Guinness was the third wife of British MP Thomas Loel Guinness who was a member of the famous brewing dynasty. In January 1955 the car was sold through Franco Britannic once again, to Lemaigre Dubreuil and then again in 1964 when it was sold to Mr M Rambuteau. 

Chassis No BC11A returned to the UK for the first time in 1967 when supplied by Jack Barclay Ltd to Mr Guy May. The car had three further owners between 1969 and 1977, on each occasion Jack Barclay Ltd were the selling agent. In November 1978 the car was purchased by the penultimate owner to date owner who retained it until 2022 when it was supplied by Frank Dale to the present owner. 

At point of acquisition in 2022, the present owner instructed us to prepare the car to his high standards with a full mechanical review, some improvements to the coachwork and a complete restoration of the car’s interior, with new leather, cabin and boot carpets, restored woodwork and detailed works to the chrome, dashboard dials, steering wheel and the steering column. These works totalled around £140,000 of expenditure and are available to look upon in detail in the car’s history file.

The specification of Chassis No BC11A, with manual gears, bucket seats and rear wheel spats is also one of the most attractive and desirable configurations available on the R Type Continental in our opinion. It comes complete with its original handbook, original service manual, copy chassis cards, photographs from the restoration works, tools and history file. Chassis No BC11A is a beautiful early production, lightweight example of this iconic model which comes fully prepared for its next fortunate owners enjoyment. 

The decision was taken in 1950 to develop a Bentley motor car capable of producing high maximum speeds ideal for Continental touring on the long straight roads of Europe. Although owned by Rolls Royce, there was a desire by some internal personnel to differentiate the more sporting Bentley brand from the conservative nature of its illustrious owner and to try and appeal to a younger affluent audience overseas who preferred driving their cars rather than sitting in the back. The higher speeds were to be coupled with correspondingly high rates of acceleration and excellent handling. To achieve these lofty ambitions a tremendous amount of research and testing were conducted using quarter scale models in the Hucknall wind tunnel. Extensive testing and alterations allowed Ivan Evernden and John Blatchley of the Motor Car Division to design a body not only of exceptional style, but also of an aerodynamic shape that reduced drag and achieved excellent levels of stability even at speeds of more than 100mph, using the fabled Embiricos Bentley as an inspiration.

By late summer of 1951 the drawings and scale models became reality with the creation of the prototype R Type Continental which in time became known as OLGA. Every weight saving opportunity was taken in the production of OLGA, with most of the car being crafted from lightweight aluminium. This included the body, window frames, bumpers and even the seat frames. In September of 1951 testing began in France under the supervision of Walter Sleator who was the managing director of Garage Franco-Britannique, the Rolls-Royce agent in Paris. Sleator was well qualified for such a task being an ex-racing driver.

The result of this extensive work led to the prototype car meeting its objective of reaching 120mph and being capable of cruising at 100mph with four passengers aboard. It was a happy bonus that the body shape, which was created in pursuit of strong aerodynamic performance, was also widely regarded as one of the most beautiful bodies to be fitted to a motor car as well.

Following extensive testing and refinements production began in early 1952. The R Type Continental was at the time the fastest production four-seater car in the world, capable of speeds of more than 100mph. The Continental chassis shared many similarities with the Mk VI and R Type chassis, sharing suspension, steering and brake components. However, the combination of the fitment of a high ratio back axle, the lightweight construction and the smaller sleeker body style resulted in performance that was far and beyond superior to any car Bentley had previously produced in the post war era.

The chassis were assembled in Crewe with the vast majority of the two hundred and eight chassis built then transported to London by train where they were fitted with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner of Chiswick, with all but fifteen cars fitted with their fastback bodies. The A, B and C series cars were fitted with 4.5 litre engines that displaced 4,566cc and produced 158bhp. In 1954 this was upgraded to 4,887cc when the cylinders were bored out on the D and E series cars. It was also the most expensive car in the world at the time, with domestic cars weighing in at just over £7,000. This iconic car attracted a selection of high profile and very wealthy buyers, from Shahs, to celebrities, to captains of business and industry, it was a rousing success.