1954 Bentley R Type Continental Automatic H.J.Mulliner Fastback BC38D

Description

A late example of the iconic fastback, benefiting from the 4.9 litre engine, which was only fitted to D and E series cars. This one also has an automatic gearbox and the larger, better padded seats, making the car very easy, comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The car is in lovely condition and beautifully finished in the original colour of metallic Regal red, and re-upholstered in recent times, including red piping to the leather, also as per original specification. The woodwork is gorgeous, with lovely veneers incorporating cross-banding ornamentation, and the carpets and headlining are absolutely excellent and very fresh. The engine compartment is clean, correct and well-presented, showing care and attention, and is just the way we like to see them. Rectification and repair work in recent years by a specialist amounted to more than £18,000. The car has been with one family for 44 years, is all correct, driving very nicely and is in excellent condition throughout. Offered, prepared, serviced and freshly MoT'd.

Chassis No. BC38D Reg No. RXY 3

Snippets: Screen, Speed & 007

Samuel John Harris of Cinema Press Ltd registered BC38D at both his home of 92 Cheyne Walk and his business ""The Cinema"" 93 Wardour Street both in London's West End. Sam Harris came from a family with many noteworthy & notorious individuals whose wealth originated from William & Elizabeth Levy. In 1817 their ""disorderly house"" attracted the attention of a House of Commons enquiry but their descendants were more circumspect in their careers becoming lawyers, QCs, Military heroes, actors, artists and adventurers! The book ""Wealth & Notoriety"" about the family makes for fascinating reading with detailed information of the extended family and is a must for the next owner of the Bentley. In 1954 whilst dining with his family at Cheyne Walk thieves entered the upper storey of the property and stole furs and jewellery amounting to some £1,300 without disturbing the diners. After a few year BC38D was with Guy Howard Martineau of French ancestry whose family were involved in banking, brewing, textiles and politics. In 1930 Howard Martineau and his family acquired the rights to the UK branch of the French firm Salmson Motors (the Martineau brothers were very involved in the car racing scene of the 1920s and often competed against each other and Malcolm Campbell). The Salmson Motor company initial started as manufacturers of aero engines but they also produced a small quantity of cars - the Salmson 12/70 S4C, the S4D & the 20/90 S6D with versions including saloons, tourers & drophead coupes - all production of cars ceased prior to WWII with the firm concentrating on the war effort. The third owner was Gilbert Nelson Southall of GN Southall Securities who died at his home of 98 Eaton Square at the young age of 54 leaving a small fortune of some £ million to his widow Betty. During the 1960s BC38D was with Aubrey Forshaw, MD of Pan Books and legend would have it the inspiration for the cars that James Bond, 007 drove! Ian Fleming wrote the following dedication into the flyleaf of On Her Majesty's Secret Service ""To Aubrey, who wrote some of it! From Ian. As Aubrey was a keen motorist he was Ian Fleming's expert for technical information concerned Bond's cars hence the inscription.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS); Safety Belt Pretensioners

About us:
The Real Car Company was established in 1987 by Ray Arnold & Ian Johnstone. It was a hobby that 'Got out of hand'. Our interest in cars of the type that we now sell goes back to our childhoods, and ownership back to the 1970's. Gradually more cars started passing through our hands, and by 1986 we had decided to make a full time occupation of buying and selling the cars that we love.

We started with a single car (all we could afford) which we sold quickly, and before we knew it we had 4 or 5 on our hands! This was alongside another business that we were involved in at the time. In the Spring of 1988 we gave up the other business, (exhaust systems), rented part of the premises that we still operate from now, and went full time.

We had a good start in the boom years of the late eighties, which set us up well enough for us to ride the storm of recession in the years that followed. As the years went on the number of cars going through our hands increased gradually, we built up a workforce, and we now carry a stock of around 40 to 50 vehicles and there are nine of us here. In 1999 we were awarded 'International Classic Car Dealer of the Year' by Classic Cars Magazine. The market for 'our' kind of cars is nicely stable, generally prices are creeping upwards all the time, and we feel that investing in a car - or cars - of the type that we sell is generally a great place to put your money. Don't do it just for investment, but you can get a great deal of pleasure from these vehicles, prices are - in our opinion - unlikely to drop, and you can't drive a share certificate! Some prices in the last three or four years have moved up considerably, and these cases have shown a tremendous return on investment.

Over the last fifteen years or so we have brought home several hundred cars from the USA, and we are always looking for more. If you know of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley anywhere in the world, in absolutely any condition, please let us know. Distance no object, commissions happily paid. We always particularly enjoy the 'barn finds'.



Opening Hours:
Mo: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Tu: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
We: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Th: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Fr: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Sa: Closed
Su: Closed

Why buy from us?
* Classic Cars
* Over 30 years in business
* Cars are physically at our premises
* Lovely roads to test drive on
* Our reputation

Ad ID: 1485396145

Exact specification may vary from the details on this page. Please contact the seller to reconfirm any details before purchasing. See Terms & Conditions for further information.