Lot 46: Bentley R-TYPE SALOON BY JAMES YOUNG

The first of the post-War Bentleys, the Mk VI, was launched in May 1946 and was aimed at the owner-driver sector of the market. The 6-cylinder 4257cc IOE engine was a direct descendant of the pre-War design, albeit in a higher state of tune than its Rolls-Royce counterpart. Perhaps the most unusual break from tradition was the use of a pressed steel body as standard, whereas previously all Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars had always been supplied in chassis form to be fitted with coachwork of the owner's choice.This elegant and compact model appealed greatly, and was not only a success at home but also in the important export markets. The theme established with the Mk VI was to continue with the R-Type, introduced in 1951. The standard steel-bodied R-Type saloon differed in appearance from its predecessor by the enlarged boot and the engine was the 4� -litre 'big bore' unit which had been introduced in the later Mk VI models. Between 1952 and 1955, some 2,320 R-Types were built, 303 of which were supplied in chassis form in order to receive coachbuilt bodywork.Of these coachbuilt models, without doubt amongst the most elegant were those by James Young, and it is an example of the 4-door saloon that we offer here. Dating from 1953, the motor car is smartly finished in dark blue over Old English White and retains its original grey hide upholstery. The lower half was repainted some two years ago and at the same time the exhaust system was replaced and we understand that the car runs very well. We are advised that there have been only two owners prior to the vendor, these being the original owner and his daughter. Documentation supplied with the motor car includes a V5C and MOT certificate current until 17th November 2008.