Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1952 Bentley R Type
Estimate
£15, 000 - £18, 000
Registration No: PMB 272
Chassis No: B162SR
MOT: Exempt
Known history including copy of original Bentley Build Sheet
Offered with a quantity of paperwork including original Bentley Workshop Manual
Finished in Black over Cream with a sumptuous Beige Leather Interior
58, 986 miles believed genuine
An obvious evolution of its MkVI predecessor, the Bentley R-Type was introduced at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show. Subtly reworked from the previous model by in-house stylist John Blatchley, it boasted a notably larger boot and reprofiled rear wings. Switching from riveted to welded frame construction at chassis B349TO, the newcomer featured independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, and servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes (hydraulic front/ rod rear). Powered by a 'big bore' 4566cc straight-six inlet-over-exhaust engine allied to either a four-speed manual or automatic transmission, the R-Type was a surprisingly strong performer, able to reach more than 100mph. Praised by the contemporary motoring press for its high-speed handling and well-appointed interior, the model remained in production until 1955 by which time some 2, 017 Standard Steel Saloons are thought to have been made with many features the same as the R-Type continental.
PMB 272 was built in 1952 to Standard Steel Saloon specification and delivered on the 11th November 1952 to Mr Raymond C Perry of Studley, Warwickshire where it remained in his ownership for over 40 years until 1994 when it was sold locally to Mr Ray Holt of Coleshill with only 40, 852 miles on the odometer. In April 2001, Mr Holt commissioned Jack Barclay Ltd to perform £1080 of remedial work to the suspension components prior to the sale of the car to Pageant Chauffeur Services, Watford in September of 2001. PMB 272 continued to perform admirably as a chauffeur driven car through another owner until the vendor acquired the vehicle in December of 2022 who has used the car as an occasional car and has continued to maintain it at his own workshop premises on the Kent / Sussex border.
On inspection PMB 272 appears very presentabe in its Black over Cream colour scheme with the metal work displaying no obvious signs of deterioration thanks to the car having been proudly dry stored in a brick garage at the family home. The vendor advises that paintwork appears to be overall in 'good' order having evidently been repainted at some point in the past and has now aged with a charming patination suitable for the car's vintage and would certainly present well at any occasion. Any new bidder may wish to improve the paint however this is by no means a necessity in the vendor's opinion.
On opening the front and rear doors for the car, the sumptuous beige leather interior presents very well and remains comfortable with no signs of cracking or tearing from age. The walnut veneer all presents very well with no signs of delamanation and the lacquer appears to be all intact without major cracking which is unusual for a car of this age. We would suggest that perhaps the door tops may have been refurbished at some point, shining in the sunlight, but the dashboard appears original and has aged in a particularly attractive way. The high-quality biscuit coloured carpet suits the leather well and is again in fabulous condition and may have received replacement at some point in the past.
On a cold start up to move the car out of the garage and into the sunshine, the engine briskly fired into life with no hesitation and the vendor advised that he has regularly used the car to drive into the local town for evenings out to dinner for which the car has been remarkably dependable. The gears appear to engage smoothly and the clutch allows the car to move off without juddering. The car is fitted with a set of Firestone Whitewall Cross Ply tyres which suit the car very well and there is another spare in the boot.
