1954 Bentley R-Type Continental fastback sports saloon owned by the founder of Wally Yachts to be auctioned
Described as a “modern magic carpet” in its auction entry, a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental fastback saloon by H. J. Mulliner from the personal collection of the Wally Yachts founder Luca Bassani Antivari is to be offered for sale on 14th May in Monaco.
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The Bentley of Taste
Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback originally owned by the son of the founder of clothing giant Burton heads to auction at the Salon Privé sale
Originally owned by a steamship executive named William A. Headlam of Raithwaite Hall in Whitby, Yorkshire, the car was ordered with custom options such as a divided front bench seat and a steering wheel set an extra 2.5 inches to the right. It is reported to have cost in the region of $18,000 new (the equivalent of $159,000, £111,000 or €140,000 today) and by the 1970s, its then owner, noting how expensive it was to run amusingly declared in a letter (that comes with the car): “At the end of December, I am taking one of my cherished R-Type Bentleys off the road and sinking to the depths of depravity by purchasing a little Japanese Datsun, a pair of extra-large dark glasses, and a high-coloured coat so that I cannot be recognised”.
Owned by Mr Bassani Antivari since 1993 and maintained by Chelsea Workshops in the time since, the velvet green over green upholstery car is reported to have been the yacht builder’s “prized possession”. Of it, he remarked:
“Since I was a young boy, I had dreamed of owning an R-Type Continental and becoming a member of the Bentley Boys group; it has always been, for me, the only classic car that could be used comfortably by its owner. Late in the 1980s, I began to look for one and had the opportunity to see and touch a dozen examples. In the end, I realized that UTU 3 was the nicest one because of her shape and lines that had been so perfectly drawn and built”.
“The delivery in St Tropez of my R-Type had a real James Bond touch. I landed in my helicopter, close to a lorry that, immediately after our landing, opened, with my Continental sliding out from its back. I and my friend immediately jumped in the magnificent car to go directly to the Club 55, where I was welcomed more than ever! In St Tropez, when the road to the harbour was closed to traffic, I never had any problem being allowed to pass in my Bentley. The same has been true in Monte Carlo; when UTU 3 is arriving, there is a kind of race between the valet guys to park her, and in the best position possible”.
“UTU 3 is a queen of the road, a status that she will always retain”.
RM Sotheby’s have set an estimate of £593,000 to £752,000 ($854,000 to $1.08 million or €750,000 to €950,000) for the car.
Update: 15th May 2016: Not sold.
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Readers have their say
6 comments
The car is a star. Superb feature and only wish I had the money to buy it.
Of the two hundred and sixteen built; two hundred and fourteen still exist – apparently
Oh, and my marvelous Oncologist, who keeps me alive, drives one of these beautiful creations
What’s a Oncologist?!
Mick….don’t be lazy. Look it up.
My other point is that the Saudi runt must never be allowed to buy this work of art. In minutes he would cover it in gold leaf. Ghastly tasteless people.
Let’s hope you don’t have to consult one Mick Burke.