Lot 165 - 1952 Bentley R-Type Special (Straight-Eight)
| Lot Number | 165 |
| Registration | PMB 273 |
| Chassis Number | 266SR |
| Engine Number | 19555 |
| Odometer reading | 5,302 miles |
| Estimate | £55,000 - £65,000 |
- Built by a former director of Rolls-Royce Motorcars
- Powered by a Rolls-Royce B81 engine
- Automatic transmission
Rolls-Royce built two straight-eight powered Bentleys using the 'B'-series eight-cylinder variant of the standard six-cylinder engine (one of which was loaned to HRH Prince Philip who was apparently reluctant to hand it back). These were dubbed 'Scalded Cats' and in the mid-1960s Robin Moore started to plan a similar car based on a R-Type Chassis. He was working in the experimental department of Rolls-Royce at the time and an internal memo dated August 1965 sees him asking if any ex-test cars would become available. This plan did not come to anything with the acquisition of an S1 Continental Convertible in the late 1960s consuming all available time and cash and the collapse of Rolls-Royce and his move to Surrey to work for W. S. Atkins closing off further progress.
In the mid-1980s he had bought a Harry Rose-bodied Mk. VI Special and his interest in a B80-engined special was reignited. He acquired a Thorneycroft Nubian Fire Engine for its powerplant and an R-Type that had rotten coachwork but a sound chassis and running gear was also sourced. The body was stripped off the Bentley and work started on modifications to the chassis. The cruciform was cut and the front section moved back in the chassis by twelve inches. The front chassis side rails were extended and reinforced to provide space for the longer engine. All the running gear was overhauled and meticulously reinstated.
An elegant open tourer body was designed and commissioned in traditional ash framing and aluminium panels and the car was completed in late 1992. During the development, a B81 with its larger capacity of 6.52 litres had been found and this replaced the B80. The R-Type automatic gearbox was retained and an R-Type Continental back axle ratio fitted, which with the 17-inch wheels, provides relaxed cruising. At this stage he was persuaded that an elegant blue and grey colour scheme was preferable to the bright red he had envisaged to fit with the name.
However, the B81 engine that had been fitted was from an army training establishment and it became clear that it had had a hard life. In 2008 the opportunity came up to buy a brand new, unused B81G which is the variant of the B81 designed to run on propane or natural gas. It therefore has a much higher compression ratio - increased from 6.4:1 to 8.0:1 which modern fuels can run without any issue and provides a further boost in output to ensure that it is, in Rolls-Royce terminology ‘adequate’ (a standard B81 unit is estimated to develop 220bhp and 330lbft of torque).
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each Lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. All registration numbers, engine and chassis details are sourced from registration documents provided to Historics by the client or representative or HPI checks and buyers are to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of these details. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.