Lot 614: 1955 Bentley R-Type 4�-Litre Saloon

This right-hand drive Bentley R-Type 4�-litre saloon with �standard steel� coachwork and automatic transmission was formerly owned by Alan Whicker, one of British television�s most eminent broadcasters, who first came to prominence on the BBC�s Tonight programme and went on to present the long-running Whicker�s World. The car was first owned by F Burrows Esq, of Horbury, Yorkshire before being purchased on 16th June 1961 by Alan Whicker, its second owner, who kept it until February 1964 when he traded it in at Alan Day Ltd, of London NW3. �LUG 2� was then purchased (on 11th December 1964) by Mr Hubert Malcolm Price who, it is believed, was a partner in a prominent gentlemen�s outfitters, Price & Beale, of Nottingham, and also a local magistrate. The vehicle was acquired by the vendor from the late Mr Price�s estate in 2001 and has seen little use since, requiring no work other than light servicing and maintenance. Included in the sale is a letter to the vendor from Alan Whicker, dated 21st June 2002, in which he reminisces about owning �LUG 2�.
At time of acquisition the car�s early history had been misplaced, but it has since been confirmed that Riste Motors maintained the car throughout Mr Price�s ownership and it is expected that details of all work undertaken during that time will have been provided by time of sale. �LUG 2� is in excellent original condition throughout and comes complete with owner�s handbook and original tool kit including oil syringes, hand lamp, etc. Finished in Shell Grey with blue leather interior, the latter retaining its original radio in working order, the car is reported to drive superbly, maintaining regulation oil pressure and with its automatic transmission changing smoothly. It is offered with old-style buff logbook (recording Alan Whicker�s ownership), current road fund licence, MoT to August 2008 and Swansea V5 registration document.