Bentley R-Type Continental Drophead Coupé Park Ward 1954

            Bentley ranks among the most famous of all names in automobile history. Founded by W.O. Bentley, his cars were successful in winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans no less than five times, the most significant being 1929 and 1930 when the Speed Six (upgraded version of the 6 1/2 Litre) - driven by, amongst others, the famous Woolf Barnato - beat the Mercedes-Benz SSK works racers. By 1931, the company was in serious financial difficulties, and Rolls-Royce bought the company in a clandestine overnight coup. Premises were moved to Derby and until 1939, Rolls-Royce built a sporty version, first the 3 1/2 Litre and later the 4 1/4 Litre, to satisfy the clientele wanting good performance.
After WW2 the Rolls-Royce plant was moved to Crewe and Rolls-Royce started to build its standard models completely in house, including coachwork. Most postwar Bentley were built to the exact same specification as their Rolls-Royce counterpart. The sporting heritage of Bentley, including the great Le Mans success history, remained unforgotten, however, and the engineers at Crewe were asked to create a high performance Bentley after WW2 to continue the tradition. Under the guidance of Ivan Evernden a very special car was developed - the R-Type Continental. Suspension was modified to be sportier, the engine was modified to higher compression, the gearbox was equipped with special ratios, a long rear axle ratio was introduced in combination with a revolution counter instrument, and coachwork was planned in full aluminium stipulation it should weigh only around 350 kg. Hence was born the fastest postwar 4-seater, capable of 200 km per hour !
The R-Type Continental soon became the favourite car for wealthy amateurs wanting luxury and sporty performance combined. Only 208 R-Type Mulliner Fastback were made, and no more than four R-Type Continental Drophead were made with Park Ward drophead coachwork for those keen on the open air feeling.
This particular car, chassis number BC73C, is one of the only four R-Type Continental Park Ward Drophead built by Bentley. The precursor of the later S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead (of which 86 were made), BC73C introduced in 1954 the very initial design by Park Ward which is of timeless beauty. Originally built for Mr. S.S. Downing of Bromsgrove Worcester, BC73C remained in England over the years, subsequent owners including Lady Rosemary French, Mr. Sawson, Mr. de Limette and Mr. Mike Haig of Aldridge in the West Midlands. As a period modification BC73C was upgraded to receive the 4.9 litre engine number BED75. In 2010 BC73C became part of the current very prominent European Bentley collection. A comprehensive restoration by the world authority P. & A. Wood from 2010 until 2014 brought the car back to perfect condition, finishing the car in the same two-tone grey with VM3086 dark red upholstery as when Mr. Downing originally received it in 1954.

Chassis number : BC73C
Registration number : TMA376
Engine number : BED75
Engine specification : 4.9 litre 6-cylinder with high compression (factory upgrade)
Colour : Shellgrey over Tudor Grey
   

Taken in: France / Île-de-France / Arrondissement de Boulogne-Billancourt / Vanves (show map)

Taken on: February 7, 2017

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Sets appears in: • Rétromobile 2017 • Bentley

Camera: Canon EOS 1100D, f/4.0, 1/6 sec, 20mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 1100D
Lens:	EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.167 sec (1/6)
Focal Length:	20mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
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