Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Model year: 2021
Number of cylinders: 6
Engine capacity: 4.515 cc
Empty weight: 1.792 kg
Carrying capacity: 560 kg
GVW: 2.352 kg
Emission class: Euro 0
Registration number: AR-47-69

For one moment just imagine it is 1953 and you happen to be the most successful drinks merchant and pub owner on the Isle of Man. What car would you then be buying? Well it would have to be a Bentley R-Type Steel Saloon. J.B.Ritchie, one of the Heron & Brearley directors, ordered the car at W.Watson & Co of Liverpool.

He ordered the car with this fantastic looking two-tone light and dark grey finish and red leather upholstery. He also has opted for the manual 4-speed gearbox.

When Nico drove up in the Bentley, he immediately informed us that this was the R-Type with the best handling he had ever driven. It has only clocked up 62,050 miles, this being more than likely the actual mileage.

At the time the R-Type was a very luxurious motor, sharing many similarities with the Rolls-Royce Dawn from the same period. The Bentley however was by far the more popular vehicle. With only 2,323 cars sold it has always remained rather exclusive and rare. At the time new owners could choose between the Standard Steel Body, such as our one, or taking the car to a coachbuilder. What remained the same is the 4.6 litre straight-six. Buyers had the choice of either a manual or automatic 4-speed transmission.

This Bentley found its way to Sweden in the 80’s before arriving in Germany in 2000. At that time the odometer reading stood at just 45,451 miles. The then German owner mainly kept the car as a collectors item only adding less than a thousand miles in twelve years. When it came to the Netherlands in 2012 the odometer stood at 46,519 miles. Whilst the car’s service and maintenance history is not fully complete, on the basis of the car’s overall condition and specifically the state of the interior trim, we are almost certain the current mileage of 62,050 miles must be authentic.

Both the car’s bodywork and chassis are very authentic and naturally fully rust-free. The fine bodywork has nice and thin, correctly aligned panelwork. The chrome decals, headlights and grill are in very good shape. The car had a cosmetic respray in its original livery and still looks splendid.

Its completely original interior has kept the genuine carpets, leather, wooden dashboard inlay and roof lining. All controls and gauges work to perfection. It is a wonderful sight to see the lovely condition of a 70 year old car’s interior. It is also indicative of manner in which and the materials used in maintaining this car over the previous decennia.

Mechanically the car is in rude health. It has retained its original and thus matching numbers engine. In 2014 the engine was overhauled as the accompanying invoices show. The 4.6 litre straight-six develops 130 Ps and has a cast iron block with an aluminium head. The engine is fed by two SU-carburettors. Driving this Bentley is a delightful experience. The engine runs superbly smooth and quite and the manual transmission is easy to use. The suspension is naturally there to add comfort, aided by tyres with high side-walls.

The accompanying documentation is very good, paperwork relating to its time in Sweden and Germany has been kept, the old order form is present, confirming the fact this is indeed a matching numbers vehicle.

In short this is a lovely, very well handling and perfectly maintained 1953 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel Saloon complete with a fully original interior and good documentation.

Gallery Aaldering is Europe’s leading Classic Cars specialist since 1975! Always 400 Classic and Sportscars in stock, please visit www.gallery-aaldering.com for the current stock list (all offered cars are available in our showroom) and further information. We are located near the German border, 95 km from Düsseldorf and 90 km from Amsterdam. So easy traveling by plane, train, taxi and car. Transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged. No duties/import costs within Europe. We buy, sell and provide consignment sales (selling on behalf of the owner). We can arrange/provide registration/papers for our German (H-Kennzeichen, TÜV, Fahrzeugbrief, Wertgutachten usw.) and Benelux customers. Gallery Aaldering, Arnhemsestraat 47, 6971 AP Brummen, The Netherlands. Tel: 0031-575-564055. Quality, experience and transparency is what sets us apart. We look forward to welcoming you in our showroom