Bentley R-Type 1952

Specially ordered in LHD-One of only 50 LHD R Types built
Believed to be the only LHD R Type standard steel for sale
Beautiful Burgundy over Shell Grey
Grey Connolly Hide interior
Automatic transmission and medium wave radio
Delivered new to the President of the Lionel Corporation, USA
Factory Sunshine Roof
Rear picnic tables
Formerly part of a world class collection 
The policy of rationalisation begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after the war with the introduction of standard bodywork on the MK VI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WW2 product, the latter was introduced in 1946, a year ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith which, although mechanically similar to the MK VI, was nevertheless exclusively a coachbuilt car. The new 'standard steel' body - produced by the Pressed Steel Company, of Oxford - was available at first only on the Bentley MK VI, the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the Silver Dawn - not appearing until 1949. A separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, that of the MK VI (and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) measuring 10 exactly. The Crewe-built range featured a new design of independent front suspension, hydraulic front brakes and a new 4,257cc, six-cylinder, 'F-head' (inlet-over-exhaust) power unit. The latter was enlarged to 4,566cc in 1951, while a much-needed improvement to the standard bodywork arrived mid-way through 1952 in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated alterations to the rear wings and suspension, subsequent models incorporating these changes being known as the R-Type Bentley and E-Series Silver Dawn.
Left-hand drive chassis number 'B.218.LSR' was manufactured in 1952 and has the Rolls-Royce/General Motors Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission that had recently become available as an option and would be standardised on the successor Bentley S Series. Ordered for the US, the Bentley was ordered with,
Flashing indicators
Sealed-beam headlamps
High-frequency horns
Medium wave radio
Bonnet locks
Whitewall tyres
'Made in England' nameplate
Its original colour scheme was two-tone Midnight Blue over Shell Grey, with a grey hide interior. The R-Type was retailed by J.S.Inskip of New York City and sold to the Lionel Corporation, likewise of New York City, for the use of its President, Mr Lawrence Cowen. Two further owners are listed on the copy chassis cards: Walt Whitman School of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1963) and David Anthony of Highland Park, Illinois (1966). 
What makes this Bentley particularly special is it being a LHD example. At the time, R-Types were primarily produced for RHD markets with the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn being the primary export model. In fact, when the original small-boot Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was introduced, it was produced solely for export markets and was not available in the UK. LHD R-Types were built to special order hence production numbers are so astonishingly low and examples come up so rarely. It is believed that just 50 LHD R-Type Saloons were ever built, making it even rarer than an R-Type Continental of which 207 chassis were produced. These LHD R-Type Standard Steel saloons seldom come up for sale, making this an extraordinary opportunity to acquire one of the rarest postwar Bentleys in lovely order and elegant specification.
Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call to book an appointment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.