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Bentley R-Type Continental – BC39LC

On display

Only 207 examples of the Bentley R-Type Continental were built. Of these, only 13 were left-hand drive, manual transmission and had something resembling sports seats. But only this particular example also had the bespoke luggage – and was exhibited by Bentley at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1954. BC39LC is therefore a unicorn among the already rare R-Type Continental.

VIN: BC39LC
Engine: BCC38

Auction: RM Sotheby’s, Paris 2025, estimate 1,8 to 2,4 Mio. Euro, with these informations: «Importantly, chassis BC39LC was selected by Bentley for the Brussels Motor Show in January 1954, making it one of very few R-Type Continental show cars. Once official duties were concluded, it was delivered to Edouard Zurstrassen of Heusy, Belgium. Perhaps in recognition of its extraordinary quality, the Bentley never experienced fleeting ownership having had just three owners by 1983 before joining the Etro family, famed for its eponymous fashion house. Gerolamo Etro kept chassis BC39LC for a remarkable 30 years, but by 2013 this significant R-Type had become the perfect candidate for restoration and was sold to its penultimate owner, Timm Bergold. Clark & Carter then carried out one of their signature restorations, taking chassis BC39LC down to component form, including the aluminium body being returned to bare metal. Careful consideration for originality was afforded to all aspects of the restoration and it was returned exactly to its delivery specification, including a new set of fitted luggage.»

We have a nice story about the Continentals from Bentley, here. And then there is the archive.

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