1953 Bentley R-Type 'Le Mans' Style Open Tourer by Paul Forty
Entered from The Loch Lomond Collection

Registration No: NYP 807
Chassis No: B424TN
MOT: Exempt

• Built by Bentley aficionado Paul Forty, being completed in c.2017
• Displayed at the NEC as the flagship car on Paul Forty's stand and purchased by the vendor directly from the NEC for some £190,000
• Beautifully crafted with Le Mans-style Tourer coachwork
• Minimal mileage since the completion of the restoration and still presenting excellently
• Entered from The Loch Lomond Collection, a collection made up of excellent examples of predominantly 1950s, '60s, and '70s classics

It was in 1953 that ‘NYP 807’ made its debut, clothed in a Bentley R-Type Saloon body, chassis number B424TN was delivered to its first owner, a Mr John Moore Wilson on the 18^th of September 1953. Almost seventy years later, in 2012, the tired remains of the Bentley were acquired by well-known Bentley aficionado and builder Paul Forty. Paul Forty, highly regarded in Bentley circles, is the son of Geoff Forty, an esteemed classic car dealer for many decades, trading as International Automobiles Limited. Not only this, but Geoff is understood to have had a contributing role in the founding of Bob Peterson Engineering, with Peterson Bentleys now some of the most exclusive, high-quality, and expensive Bentley specials available on the market. Therefore, there are probably not many more qualified than the Forty family in Bentley special building!

Under the custodianship of Paul Forty, chassis B424TN was stripped to the bare chassis, with the chassis sandblasted and restored with new bushes and kingpins. The rear axle was stripped and overhauled with all new bearings before the front springs were renewed, and a new rear shock absorbers system for the rear. The engine was stripped and sent to an engine specialist in Exeter for a full engine overhaul including the crank reground, new bearings, re-faced cylinder head, all valve seats recut or replaced as needed, crank damper completely renovated, and the engine’s recently fitted new piston and liners on inspection were as new. The Bentley then received a full gearbox refresh, flywheel refaced, new steering bushes, and track rod pins, with extensive further mechanical improvement.

The braking system was fully renewed, with a complete re-wire provided with all new units except the starter motor which was inspected and found good. The fuel system was fully restored from the tank to the carburettors, with the carburettors completely overhauled, including chemical cleaning and conversion to manual choke. Thereafter, a brand new aluminium body was installed in the style of the now iconic Vanden Plas Le Mans Tourers. I think it is fair to say that the coachwork is stunningly presented and detailed, with features such as the large alloy fuel tank with brass tap bosses, stone guards, polished stainless steel over centre filler cap, fold-down windscreen, nickel plated aero screens, diver's helmet rear lights, and Lucas P100 headlamps all setting the car off splendidly. It is much the same story when it comes to the fully renewed interior, trimmed to an excellent standard, the seats and side panels (with embossed ‘B’s) are trimmed in English hide, with a double duck hood and tonneau cover!

The end product is an extremely handsome Bentley which perfectly combines the best of the Vintage Bentley Le Mans coachwork with more modern Bentley mechanicals. Utilising the R-Type 4.5-litre engine, four-speed synchromesh gearbox, and a set of 21-inch wheels, the vendor says it is fast, powerful, and very capable of running in modern traffic. Purchased into The Loch Lomond Collection directly from Paul Forty for £190,000 in 2017; The Loch Lomond Collection is made up of excellent examples of predominantly 1950s, '60s, and '70s classics. Used sparingly since the build, the Bentley has only completed local excursions around Scotland while in the collection, and therefore a degree of recommissioning might be required before pressing into road use. An exceptionally high-quality build from a well-known Bentley aficionado, this one surely ticks the boxes for those in the market for a Petersen or similar special!

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452