1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon

Registration No: OLM 108
Chassis No: B188UM
MOT: Exempt

• Subject to a previous gearbox overhaul by Ristes Motor Company Ltd in 2016
• 121,000 recorded miles and current ownership since 2016
• Offered with a collection of invoices and old MOT's

This R-Type has an interesting early history in that it was supplied new by Jack Barclay to its first owner, Captain Christopher Soames MP of Chartwell Farm, Westerham, Kent, the husband of Sir Winston Churchill’s daughter, Mary. By the 1970s the car was domiciled in the USA where it remained until 2006. Reimported to the UK, it was subject to some £12,000 of recommissioning carried out by marque specialists Ristes Motor Company. In 2016 a further £3,320 was spent on additional recommissioning works with Herne Motors and the gearbox overhauled by Ristes. In the current ownership since 2016, it currently registers c.121,000 miles and is described by the vendor as having “average” bodywork and paintwork, “good” engine plus interior and a “very good” gearbox. B188UM is offered with Swansea V5c, R-Type book and a collection of invoices and old MoTs.

The R-type was introduced in June 1952, so named because the chassis designations of the Mark VI model on which it was based had reached the letter R. The newcomer featured a much longer boot capped by a one-piece alloy lid whilst detail changes included an automatic choke, two-speed wipers and rear window de-mister. In October the same year, the General Motors four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was made an option.

Vendor Condition Ratings:

Bodywork: 'Good’
Engine: 'Good'
Electrical Equipment: 'Good'
Paintwork: ‘Average'
Gearbox: 'Very Good'
Interior Trim: 'Good'

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760