1953 Bentley R-Type Drophead Coupe by Park Ward

For the first time, the company built complete cars rather than chassis only. The first post-war Bentley to be built was the Mark VI, a virtual duplicate (sans radiator shell) of its sister, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. Standard bodies were styled by the company’s own designers, with ex-Gurney Nutting Chief Designer John Blatchley adding refinement. This was quite a change in philosophy by the parent company Rolls-Royce, yet it reflected the reality that standardized bodies could be built in greater numbers at its new factory in Crewe, England. Custom coachwork was, of course, available at the owner’s discretion.

Engine capacity was increased to 4,566 cubic centimeters in 1951, and the standard saloon body was revised with a longer boot in 1952. At the same time, chassis numbering had reached the R series, causing this model to become known as the R-Type in late-1952. This also marked the arrival of an optional automatic transmission with twin SU carburetors, which replaced a single Stromberg unit.

A total of 2,325 R-Types in all configurations were produced through 1955.

Regarding the clothing of these chassis, Rolls-Royce/Bentley was the firm’s largest and most loyal customer, with a relationship dating back to 1919. As the demand for coachbuilt bodies declined, and to protect the supply of trained craftsmen, Rolls-Royce purchased rival H.J. Mulliner in 1959. In 1969, it bowed to the inevitable and merged the two firms, creating Mulliner Park Ward.