1953 Bentley R-Type Park Ward Drophead Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: NYK 292
Chassis No: B339SP
Mot Expiry: June 2005

We are delighted to be offering you this superb 1953 Bentley, one of only twenty-five to have been bodied with two-door drophead coupe coachwork in this way by the craftsmen at Park Ward, which has been in receipt of what clearly has been a superbly executed three year rebuild by Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists Taylor's of Birdham, near Chichester. The standard of workmanship and the fabulous condition of this extraordinary motor car, which has an electrically-operated power top, has been confirmed by NYK 292 being awarded first in class prizes at both the 2003 National Concours competitions run by the RREC and the Bentley Drivers Club, the latter rating chassis number B339 SP as quite simply "The Best in the World".
This latest renovation included stripping the car right down to the extent of the removal of all outer and inner wings and B-pillar panels as well as the entire interior including dash and trim and all fittings. Indeed, the body was removed from the chassis, which was taken down to the bare frame and steam-cleaned, the bulkhead dismantled and re-fettled, both the engine and the transmission removed, taken to pieces, inspected and overhauled as necessary; this work also including all the ancillary mechanical and electrical components.
The cylinder block was power-washed and the waterways unblocked. New liners were installed which were then bored out, the old exhaust valve guides machined out and renewed, valve seats re-cut and cylinder head refaced and vacuum tested. Much re-chroming took place with £329 spent on cadmium-plating. A tool box was fashioned for the boot with new tool box lid and hinge made. In fact, the attention to detail was enormous right down to stretching the door edges to achieve uniform gaps, reinstating the period correct semaphore trafficators and modifying the exhaust system to align with the bumper irons and ensure a correct fit.
The current condition is as one would expect from a chassis that has been totally overhauled, the bodywork being in excellent shape and the paintwork in two-pack claret and ivory as new. The ivory leather inside is also said to be still like new. Whilst the 4566cc six-cylinder engine, which has been engineered to accommodate both leaded or unleaded fuel, and the electrical equipment are reportedly also in as new condition and the four-speed manual gearbox totally overhauled. The mileage of just 2300 miles displayed when entered for this sale is guaranteed by the owner to be the correct total for the car since the rebuild.
Included with the Bentley today are a matching hood and bag as well as a silver and enamelled engraved ignition key ring. The steel wheels on the car are currently fitted with crossplies, both described as being in as new condition. In addition, a set of four radial touring tyres on wheels come with the car as do an all-over car cover, a fire extinguisher and a tool kit, which is said to be complete.
Apart from a really detailed restoration invoice from Taylor's (all twelve A4-sized sheets of it totalling £129,234 51p!) as well other bills, among the other paperwork in a most comprehensive documents file are copies of the factory build paperwork, details of the original buyer, a purchase receipt from the last North German private collector owner dated February 2000, a Bentley R Type owner's handbook as well as current registration document and MOT. The car was last tested in the summer, the certificate valid therefore until June 2005, while the present tax disc does not expire until the end of next May. Perhaps the most poignant item of all, though, is a signed and dated 13 June 2003 valuation from Taylor's giving the car a market valuation at the time of £187,000.
Today's auction provides a rare opportunity to acquire what your inspection and appreciation of the detailing will only confirm has to be a very strong contender for being the best 1953 Bentley R Type Park Ward drophead coupe on the planet.
Please note that this exceptional car will appear in the Sunday Times in a driving article written by the renowned Mr. Andrew Frankel, the motoring correspondent for this section of that paper.