1954 BENTLEY CONVERTIBLE

Widely regarded as the finest post-war Bentley, the R-Type Continental remains one of the most admired and collectible grand tourers ever produced. The car offered here, chassis BC8D, is an exceptional example of this rare and desirable model. It is one of only four Drophead Coupes constructed by Park Ward and is the very car displayed at the 1954 Paris Motor Show.

BC8D’s history is as fascinating as the car itself. Of the 207 R-Type Continentals built, the vast majority were bodied by H. J. Mulliner in the iconic fastback style. Only fifteen chassis were supplied to other coachbuilders, with Park Ward constructing six cars in total, four of which were Drophead Coupes. These open-bodied Continentals are now regarded as the most elegant and exclusive of all R-Type variants.

BC8D was the second Park Ward Drophead completed and the first built on the improved D-Series chassis, equipped with the uprated 4.9-litre, straight-six engine and automatic transmission. It was finished in black over Smoke Green with matching green trim and was the only Drophead supplied with Bentley’s lightweight seat design, favoured by more enthusiastic drivers.

Upon completion, BC8D was flown to France and driven directly to the 1954 Paris Salon, where it took pride of place on the Bentley stand. The car was then delivered to its first owner, Baron de la Rochette, a distinguished French racehorse owner whose family name is commemorated in the Prix Baron de la Rochette at Longchamps. It remained in France until 1963, when it was exported to the United States.

That year, it joined the notable collection of Dr Lawrence H. Arnstein, a respected Palo Alto neurosurgeon and passionate car enthusiast. During his long-term ownership, BC8D achieved considerable success on the concours circuit, appearing five times at Pebble Beach between 1964 and 1970, winning First in Class on three occasions and Reserve Best of Show in 1964. The car was also used regularly, covering around 2,000 miles each month, a testament to Bentley’s superb engineering and reliability.

In 1970, BC8D received a factory-supplied replacement engine, number BCD52, as part of Bentley’s official exchange programme. Dr Arnstein retained the car until 2000, when it was sold and later purchased by a collector in Connecticut. The new owner commissioned a complete restoration by Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists P & A Wood in the United Kingdom.

P & A Wood carried out a meticulous, body-off restoration to original specification, returning the car to its Paris Salon configuration. The quality of the work was exceptional, and BC8D went on to win numerous concours honours including:

RREC Annual Rally 2007 – First in Class and Most Elegant in Show

RREC Annual Rally 2009 – First Place in the Masters Class

Bentley Drivers Club Concours 2010 – First in Class, Parker Trophy and Frank Dale Trophy

The car was acquired by its current owner in 2014 and has since formed part of a prominent private collection. It remains in superb condition both mechanically and cosmetically, having been maintained to the highest standards and enjoyed only on special occasions.

BC8D is accompanied by a comprehensive history file that includes factory build sheets, chassis cards, archival photographs, various concours & show rosettes, and of course full documentation of the P & A Wood restoration.

Representing a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most desirable post-war Bentleys ever built, this superb R-Type Continental Drophead Coupe combines Paris Salon provenance, Pebble Beach success, and restoration by one of the world’s foremost Bentley specialists. Beautifully presented and mechanically outstanding, BC8D is now ready for its next discerning custodian. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.