Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner

Chassis No. BC22LD

Engine No. BCD21

Body No. 5787

- One of just eight examples of the most desirably specified R-Type Continentals

- Delivered new in left-hand drive with the larger 4.9-liter engine and center-shift manual gearbox

- An exceptional original, preservation class example retaining a majority of its original finishes

- Numbers-matching, correct and original throughout

- Known ownership since new and a highly regarded example

- Complete with factory build record, correspondence between owners, maintenance records, as well as an original owner’s manual and full factory tool kit

The R-Type Continental remains one of the finest collector cars of all time. The epitome of high society, the Mulliner fastback was a high-speed, luxury grand touring car unlike anything built before, or after. The lightweight, aluminum coachwork is one of the automobile industry’s best designs and the R-type Continental is, all things considered, the best motorcar Bentley ever built.

This 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback, BC22LD, was delivered new finished in Maroon with Putty hides and optioned with a chromed side-spear molding, twin driving lights, and whitewall tires. Importantly, this D-series Continental with it’s uprated 4.9 liter engine was further specified in left-hand drive with a center-shift manual gear change - making it the ultimate specification and one of just eight such examples.

BC22LD was delivered in January of 1955 via New York's J.S. Inskip to 21-year-old Peter van Gerbig at his 5th Avenue apartment in Lenox Hill - one of Manhattan’s ritziest neighborhoods. After six years of ownership, the car was sold to Stephen Wheelock, who kept the car in New York before shipping it home to his native Scotland. When Mr. Wheelock passed away in 1976, the car was inherited by his brother, Thomas, who sold it in 1981 to William de Segundo, of Surrey, UK. The Bentley remained with Mr. de Segundo for twenty-one years and during that time an additional 8,000 miles were added to the odometer.

During his stewardship, Mr. de Segundo loaned the fastback to the Motor Museum of Bentley in Bath, UK, for a term, and participated in the 50th-anniversary celebration of the R-Type at Silverstone in 2003. The current caretaker, a private European collector with truly exceptional automobiles, acquired the R-Type in early 2011.

Today, the Bentley remains in remarkably original condition, and is certainly among the finest preservation Bentley Continentals is existence. With just over 50,000 total miles on its odometer, much of the paint and the entirety of the interior are original. Close examination of the car shows a high level authenticity that only regular and thoughtful care would preserve. For example, the original Mulliner body number, 5787, is stamped into the wood frame of both front seats, but the factory chalk mark of “BC22LD” can be seen here as well. The Fastback is a benchmark example in many ways.

BC22LD is accompanied by factory build records, correspondence between owners, maintenance records, as well as an original owner’s manual and full factory tool kit.

We’re fortunate to have lots of experience with the R-Type Continentals and we can honestly say this is among the finest examples extent, particularly given the specification and originality. It is certainly the finest example available on the market today.