Istorie
The R Type is the second series of post war Bentley automobiles, replacing the Mark VI.
Other than the radiator grilles and the carburation there was little difference between the standard Bentley R Type and the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. The R Type was the more popular marque, with some 2,500 units manufactured during its run to the Silver Dawn's 760.
Full description
Rolls-Royce commenced production post-war with the Silver Wraith and Bentley Mk VI models. The traditional separate chassis was retained for the two newcomers, but for the first time there was standard coachwork. This new 'standard steel' body - produced by the Pressed Steel Company, of Oxford - was available at first only on the Bentley, the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the Silver Dawn - not appearing until 1949.
The range featured a new design of independent front suspension, hydraulic front brakes and a new 4,257cc, six-cylinder, power unit destined for enlargement to 4,566cc in 1951.
A much-needed improvement to the standard bodywork arrived in mid-1952 in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated changes to the rear wings and suspension, subsequent models being known as the R-Type Bentley and E-Series Silver Dawn. The two newcomers were the first Rolls-Royce products available with automatic transmission, the company having opted for General Motors' Hydra-Matic, a state of the art four speed unit permitting manual selection.
'In June 1952 the R-Type was presented to the public and it owed its name to the fact that the VI series had by this time reached the chassis letter R... (it) became one of the most popular Bentleys ever built.' Adams & Roberts, 'A Pride of Bentleys', NEL, 1978.
This particular R-Type was converted into a shooting brake in the early 1960s – it is believed to carry gun dogs – by W M Collett & Sons of Gloucester.
Other than the radiator grilles and the carburation there was little difference between the standard Bentley R Type and the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. The R Type was the more popular marque, with some 2,500 units manufactured during its run to the Silver Dawn's 760.
This car has covered 64,316 miles (approx. 103.500 km).
