Description
A totally unique coach built two seat open Bentley R-Type with removable hardtop, created, and designed by Bensport. This is as exclusive as it gets; you will not see another of these beautifully engineered cars. Built on a fully nut and bolt restored, R-Type manual transmission chassis.
The car shares design cues with the Bensport La Sarthe Fastback. We were always asked if we could build an open car retaining the elegance of the fastback. We believe we have achieved this. The car offers classic open top touring in a Bentley which will turn heads and draw admiring crowds wherever it goes.
With the hard top fitted the car maintains its elegant balanced lines, making it a true car for all seasons. Given the design and attachment of the hardtop, a simple folding hood arrangement can be fitted if required.
This Bentley is now completely rebuilt mechanically, with a small amount of panel work required to complete the body. It will then be ready for paint and trim. It is offered for sale “as is” or completed by us to your requirements.
Mechanical work has included a total engine rebuild to usual Bensport specifications, including new liners and Omega pistons. All new bearings throughout, new camshaft, new valves, guides, seats, springs and hardened valve seats are fitted. Crankshaft damper and oil pump are rebuilt and a new cooling gallery rail fitted. A one piece flywheel and modern diaphragm clutch is fitted, eradicating any possible clutch judder.
The four speed gearbox is rebuilt to latest factory specifications with heavy front thrust washer and square wall bearings, coupled to the rear axle by a new Bailey-Morris propellor shaft. The rear axle is upgraded with Timken pinion bearings, all new differential bearings, new modified hub bearings and new 13:40 “Continental” crown wheel and pinion, which coupled to the cars reduced weight allows comfortable high speed cruising.
A special Bensport stainless steel exhaust system gives a subdued but purposeful exhaust note. The twin SU carburettors are rebuilt and finished to original factory standard in semi gloss black with all plated parts replated. The chassis lubrication system has been rebuilt and is refitted, with new pipework and overhauled pump. All other ancillaries such as the distributer and starter motor have been totally dismantled and rebuilt.
With modern road conditions in mind the cooling system has received careful attention, with a high performance aluminium radiator, and a 17” electric cooling fan with thermostatic control. An upgraded water pump is fitted with a high speed continental pulley.
As with the La Sarthe fastback, the suspension is fully rebuilt, and to obtain the correct ride height is fitted with new front coil springs and re-cambered rear springs all tuned to the much lighter car weight, and all designed to give a pleasant but firmer ride. The shock absorbers are rebuilt with re-sleeved shafts and new seals.
The steering is fully rebuilt as are the brakes, which are fitted with Halo linings, with new brake drums all round, and a fully rebuilt servo assembly. All originally plated parts of the system have been re-plated. Steering column is raked to Continental specification.
The chassis frame and fittings are finished to show standard with all parts originally plated correctly re-plated.
The car is equipped with air conditioning, as developed by Bensport, with the compressor driven directly off the crankshaft. Electric windows are fitted. The electrical system is entirely new, with an alternator, all new wiring, all circuits fused and all components relay operated.
The new interior substrate for instrument panel and door cappings is complete and ready to veneer, with a choice of instrument panel design. A choice of original oil and water, capillary instruments, with cable driven speedo, all fully restored, or fully electronic instruments with rev counter are available, dependant on instrument panel requirement.
All the difficult engineering work on the body is complete. Door hinges are Bentley from the current GT and door locks and strikers are also Bentley, from the S-Series. The bonnet hinges are exact copies of the S-Series bonnet centre hinge, but manufactured by us in stainless steel. Original S-Series closing arrangement for bonnet latching is with the car, as fitted to the fastback.
The following components are with the car: All new lights, windscreen glass, seal and chrome trim. Centre bonnet chrome trim and latching assemblies. Bentley Continental exterior door handles, Bentley interior door handles. Remote controls for door lock operation. All hinging, locking and sealing arrangements are complete and the doors are already built up with the electric motors for the windows. A full new Bensport wiring harness, with new control box already assembled with fuse boxes and relays. New reclining seats, as fitted to the fastback. The hardtop is made with special attachment clamps fitted. Great care has been taken with the sealing of the hardtop to the top screen rail, and this work is all complete. A teak rear decking trim has been made to enhance the rear tonneau area. “La Sarthe” special script for boot lid or front grill.
As with all our Bentley based cars, this chassis has been restored with great care to maintain the original factory mechanical integrity, and as the car is unquestionably an original Bentley product, the factory are happy for the car to be fitted with the “flying B” badges. It is in no way a “special”, with mix and match parts from other models. All major components are original to this matching numbers chassis and a copy of the chassis record cards backs this up.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a totally unique coach built Bentley which at this stage can be finished exactly to your personal requirements. If required we can complete the car to your specifications. Alternatively we can project manage the completion for you, or hand this fantastic opportunity over to you as your personal “special and unique Bentley” project.
