Description
The decision was taken in 1950 to develop a Bentley motor car capable of producing high maximum speeds ideal for Continental touring on the long straight roads of Europe. The higher speeds were to be coupled with correspondingly high rates of acceleration and excellent handling. To achieve these lofty ambitions a tremendous amount of research and testing were conducted using quarter scale models in the Hucknall wind tunnel. Extensive testing and alterations allowed Ivan Evernden and John Blatchley of the Motor Car Division to design a body not only of exceptional style, but also of an aerodynamic shape that reduced drag and achieved excellent levels of stability even at speeds of more than 100mph.
By late summer of 1951 the drawings and scale models became reality with the creation of the prototype R Type Continental which in time became known as OLGA. Every weight saving opportunity was taken in the production of OLGA, with most of the car being crafted from lightweight aluminium. This included the body, window frames, bumpers and even the seat frames. In September of 1951 testing began in France under the supervision of Walter Sleator who was the managing director of Garage Franco-Britannique, the Rolls-Royce agent in Paris. Sleator was well qualified for such a task being an ex-racing driver. Following extensive testing and refinements production began in early 1952. The R Type Continental was at the time the fastest production four-seater car in the world, capable of speeds of well over 100mph. The Continental chassis shared many similarities with the Mk VI and R Type chassis, sharing suspension, steering and brake components. However, the combination of the fitment of a high ratio back axle, the lightweight construction and the smaller sleeker body style resulted in performance that was far and beyond superior to any car Bentley had previously produced in the post war era. The chassis were assembled in Crewe with the vast majority of the 208 built then transported to London by train where they were fitted with coachwork by H. J. Mulliner of Chiswick, with all but fifteen cars fitted with their fastback bodies. The A, B and C series cars were fitted with 4. 5 litre engines that displaced 4, 566cc and produced 158bhp.
Chassis No BC1C was completed in December 1953, finished originally in two tone green with a brown leather interior. It was sold new to Mr Stanley Sears who was a well-known collector, the former president of the Veteran Car Club, the Rolls-Royce Twenty (HP) Ghost Club and committee member of the RAC Club. Mr Sears made a number of specific and interesting requests to H. J. Mulliner during the build process of the car. Amongst them were a bespoke dashboard instrumentation set up which included an altimeter, an RAF day clock and a Tapley performance meter. Pull out lamps and an under-dashboard heater were also requested and fitted. Externally Chassis No BC1C was also modified, to include the fitting of a slightly taller radiator shell, bumpers without over riders and anti-drip glasses to both front quarter light windows.
During his seven years of ownership Mr Sears also sought out more power for the car, with records showing that the engine was bored out to 4. 9 Litres, that the back axle was uprated with the ratio being changed from 3. 03 to 3. 42 and a specially balanced crankshaft was fitted, raising the compression to 7. 75 to 1.
In 1960 the car was sold to Mr Lovell of Sutton Coldfield who in September 1962 sold the car to Mr J Fothergill who retained it for thirty-eight years. In the early 1990’s Chassis No BC1C underwent a complete restoration at Mr Fothergills request, which was carried out by David A. C. Royle and Co Ltd.
Chassis No BC1C was sold in 2001 to Mr George Dodds by Frank Dale & Stepsons and changed hands two further times prior to the present owner purchasing the car in 2008. During the present ownership several improvements have been carried out to the car including the instillation of an electric sunroof, electric power steering which is subtly fitted and can be activated or deactivated at the press of a button, restoration of the cabin woodwork plus the overhaul of the engine by A&S Engineering, which was completed in 2014.
The car presents beautifully, finished externally in pewter, which complements the wonderful and original leather interior. With the ideal combination of skilled maintenance and regular use, it’s no surprise that the car also drives superbly. It is complete with extensive records dating back to when the car was less than ten years old. A super example of this iconic Bentley Continental, with numerous unusual and interesting features.
