1954 Bentley R Type – Auction Car of the Week

It’s not very often you’re presented with the opportunity to own a car that has featured in one of the biggest television shows in recent history. However, that is exactly what we have here in the form of this rather magnificent, black over red, 1954 Bentley R Type. While it may indeed look resplendent in our auction pictures, it also had the chance to shine – wearing its original registration of YXA308 – as a star car in The Crown. Which makes sense, as a car such as this really is fit for Royalty.

As seen in The Crown

Of course, this Bentley isn’t a mere prop. It’s a proper, bona fide classic that has enjoyed a life of unending attention and care. As such, it stands today in excellent condition from bumper to bumper. Deservedly so, as the R Type was an important car for post-war Bentley. Replacing the popular Mark IV, the R Type again offered customers the chance to have a ‘standard steel’ body direct from the factory, though the car could also be sent as a bare chassis to a chosen coachbuilder should the customer wish. A joint offering with Rolls-Royce, the R Type was in essence a Silver Dawn. However, the Bentley was the far more popular model, with 2,500 built compared to the Dawn’s 760. Impressive.

This car, XYA308, was one of the R Types built that went the way of the coachbuilder. H J Mulliner in this case. It’s number 18 of 27 built to light-six 7220 specification. Some 300kg lighter than the steel version, and fitted with a floor-shift manual transmission, this was and indeed still is a luxury car for the sort of person who truly enjoys driving. Proof of this can be found in the fact that the current owner has been with this car for some thirty years.

Over that time, the car has, from what we can gather, always been in regular use. The engine has been rebuilt (at 47,000 miles, it’s now on 97,354), and some works have been carried out such a refinishing of the wood trim, and some new leather for the seats. But it’s never been off the road for any extended period of time. Originally all-black, the current owner opted to have the car repainted the more charming black over claret, which we feel was a very wise choice. When not in use, the R Type is kept in a de-humidified garage, and it’s put through an MOT every year after a fresh service. It has, make no mistake, lived a life of care and unending attention.

The R Type in Monarch of the Glen

Then of course, there is the celebrity life of this particular R Type. Most recently, it has featured in the TV mega-hit, The Crown in which it was Princess Margaret’s car. Prior to this, it featured in TV series Monarch of the Glen in which it was used as Lord Kilwillie’s car. That’s pretty cool, and makes the history of this particular car even more special. In both TV shows, it wore its original paint, and it can be seen online via the Internet Car Movie Database.

This is a truly glorious, well cared for, and frankly fascinating car. One that would be a welcome addition to any classic car enthusiast’s home. It’s reliable to a fault, it comes loaded with history, it’s an exceptionally rare body style and it is a glowing example of just how utterly beautiful, graceful and elegant a classic Bentley can be. Be sure to have a look at the auction listing, and be sure to bid!