Bentley R-Type Park Ward Cabriolet | 1954 Highlights: – 4.6-litre inline-six engine, petrol, four-speed automatic transmission – Coachbuilt cabriolet body by Park Ward – Described by the seller as chassis number 1 of 6 built in 1954 – Right-hand drive – Pale blue leather interior with walnut dashboard The private seller offers for sale this 1954 Bentley R-Type Park Ward Cabriolet, powered by a 4,566 cc inline six-cylinder engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The car is finished in a silver-blue metallic with a dark blue hood, and the cabin combines pale blue leather seats with dark blue carpets and a polished walnut dashboard fitted with Smiths instruments. According to the seller, this is chassis number 1 of the six examples built in 1954, which makes it a rare and distinctive car. It is right-hand drive, as Crewe intended. The R-Type was introduced in 1952 as the successor to the Mark VI and was the last Bentley to share its roots so closely with the pre-war tradition of separate chassis and coachbuilt bodies. It kept the proven Mark VI chassis but gained the larger 4,566 cc engine and, from 1952, the option of a four-speed automatic gearbox, built by Rolls-Royce under licence. Most R-Types left the factory with the standard steel saloon body, while only a small number of rolling chassis were delivered to independent coachbuilders. Park Ward, owned by Rolls-Royce since 1939, was among the most respected of these houses, and its open bodies on the R-Type chassis remain some of the most sought-after Bentleys of the period. Under the long bonnet sits the six-cylinder engine with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves, delivering the smooth, effortless torque for which these cars are known. Power goes to the rear wheels through the four-speed automatic transmission. The suspension is independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, with a live rear axle on half-elliptic leaf springs, and the servo-assisted drum brakes are hydraulic at the front and mechanical at the rear. With the hood lowered, this Park Ward cabriolet offers a rare combination of open-air touring, hand-built coachwork and the quiet authority of a 1950s Bentley, a combination that appeals strongly to collectors of British coachbuilt motor cars. Condition of the bodywork & paint 4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts. Condition of the interior 4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time. Technical condition 3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives. Overall condition 3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives. This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only. We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment. All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid. Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction. This car is currently located in: Murcia region, Spain. This car drives, brakes and shifts. The car has a Spain registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction. The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy. Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy. Read more