1953 Bentley R Type standard steel sedan.

1953 Bentley R Type Description

Here we have a fine 1953 English Bentley R Type standard steel sedan. It is a right hand drive “home market” model with a manual four speed transmission with the shift lever on the drivers right side for ease of operation.

At some point in it’s past, an iconic Rolls Royce grill and radiator emblem were substituted to give the outward appearance of a Silver Dawn, which were made along with the Bentleys in Crew England. Unlike an actual Rolls Royce Silver Dawn, however, which had a bit less performance due to having only one SU carburetor, this car actually being a Bentley, has the original Bentley 4.5 liter engine with dual SU carbs.

In 1946 Rolls Royce came out with the first all steel body Bentley MK 6, and in 1949, the same steel bodied Silver Dawn cars were made as well. The early cars had a 4.25 liter in line 6 cylinder motor, which was upgraded to a 4.5 liter in 1951.

1952 the R Type was introduced. The R Type, was arguably an even more handsome sedan with a redesigned, more streamlined and spacious trunk. (The Bentley R Type aluminum bodied Continental coupes were among the fastest cars produced in the early 1950 and like most special bodied Bentleys, these cars cost significantly more today.)

This car was found in a dry partially-heated garage a year ago in New Jersey, where it had last been inspected some 30 years before. The previous owner was said to have repainted it to its current white finish, performed substantial mechanical work, including dual stainless steel exhaust system and had the interior redone with the current luxurious burgundy leather. In this car, the back seat passengers are treated to sumptuous surroundings including individual fold down “picnic” tables on the back of the front seats.

This car has now been recommissioned having the fuel tank cleaned, carburetors completely rebuilt, engine sump and oil filter housing removed, cleaned and refitted. New fuel pump, lines and filters have been installed.All fluids have been changed.When new spark plugs were fitted, wiring sorted as necessary, and everything adjusted to specifications, this old girl fired right up and has been running very well indeed.

The transmission and clutch work effortlessly and this classic sedan goes surely and quietly down the road with classic English aristocratic grace and adequate speed to insure comfortable driving. The recommissioning also included completely going over and adjusting the brake system so this car canstop as well as it drives. New hydraulic brake flex lines were installed and the master cylinder and wheel cylinders were completely rebuilt, so stopping is actually very good for a 1953 car!

This car can easily go above 70 MPH on the highway, but cruising all day would be a joy 65. It is equipped with has 6.50 X 16 inch whitewall bias-ply tires. The large steel factory sunroof is a joy on a nice drive. The car odometer only has 5 digits to the truemilageis unknown.

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