1953 Bentley R Type Fastback Coupe La Sarthe

James Davis September 19, 2022

The Bentley R Type is the second series of post-war Bentley automobiles, replacing the Mark VI. Essentially a larger-boot version of the Mk VI, the R type is regarded by some as a stop-gap before the introduction of the S series cars in 1955. As with its predecessor, a standard body was available as well as coachbuilt versions by firms including H. J. Mulliner & Co., Park Ward, Harold Radford, Freestone and Webb, Carrosserie Worblaufen and others.

The La Sarthe has an elegant, beautifully made, two door aluminium body fitted to the chassis of a 1953 Bentley R-Type saloon. The design of the car has more than a nod to what a possible lighweight Bentley coupé, entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans of that period, may have looked like. The chassis, of matchless engineering quality and durability, is totally rebuilt, as is the original engine, driving the car through a manual gearbox rebuilt to final factory specification.

The La Sarthe Bentley fastback is produced as a limited production run to the customers bespoke specification. It features an R type chassis built to “as new” specification & is clothed with one of the most beautiful aluminium fastback bodies imaginable.

As such, it’s a fastback coupe with two different gas caps, which was the style of race cars of the day. Under the custom skin, it’s an original chassis that’s been modified both for handling and reliability purposes; and while they’re re-assembling everything, they also toss in conveniences like power steering and rear parking sensors to make sure you don’t hurt that beautiful bodywork.

Inside it’s a sea of leather, wood, and aluminum. Modernities like heated seats and rear windows, central locking, and air conditioning make the La Sarthe less of a museum piece and more of a car you’ll be compelled to drive every day.

The Bensport Bentley R-Type La Sarthe is testimony to the fact that one can “turn the clock back” and make “everything old new again”. If you are looking for a classic Bentley, one that Ian Fleming would have loved. The Bensport Bentley R-Type La Sarthe is the perfect car for the person who “hasn’t bought a car since they stopped making cars”.

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