AUTOCAR, 1 May 1964
CAR design does get better, and today’s Bentley or Rolls-Royce is far ahead of its sisters of a decade ago. Yet, when assessing this 11-year-old R-Type Bentley by present-day standards, one can still relish its silence and mechanical refinement, mingled with slightly olde-worlde dignity and majesty. This model and the similar Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn were the last of the early post-war body style, and are now attracting those who hanker after Rolls-Royce luxury at secondhand prices.
Just as a really good example can be an investment, so can purchase of a neglected one be costly; hence condition and a known history are more important than ever. With this Bentley there is confirmation of its below-average mileage. Also, an extensive overhaul, including reboring the engine, was carried out in June last year. When warm, the engine fires at a touch on the starter button and is almost as quick to start from cold; the automatic choke is correctly adjusted and cuts out unobtrusively.
Slight tremor at tickover suggests that the carburation is not perfect, but throughout the speed range the engine is smooth and barely audible. Although the Bentley has forceful acceleration, the most impressive ride is enjoyed when engine and transmission speeds are perfectly matched so that passengers do not notice gear changes at all. This was the last model made before automatic transmission became standard, and the smooth, precise action of the right-hand gear change is quite delightful. Synchromesh, on the three upper ratios, is still effective and both final drive and gearbox are silent.
The ride is soft and stately, the car striding over small unevennesses until a really bad bump is taken, when there is an undignified jolt through the front suspension. Complete isolation from road noise goes with the very low level of wind roar to make the quietness of the car excellent, and gives undue prominence to a tiny squeak heard from somewhere in the front compartment.
A trace of free play has developed in the steering, but control is still light and accurate. Superb brakes respond to a touch of the pedal, while firm application dips the noble bonnet and really makes the car feel as though it is digging its toes in. Embarrassing delay in servo response at manoeuvring speeds is a familiar weakness of the layout, and not a fault of this particular car. The handbrake, with chromed pull-out handle under the facia, is efficient.
In all mechanical aspects—the smoothness of the clutch -and responsiveness of all controls—the R–Type is practically the same at 70,000 miles as it was when new, and one -lust look to body condition for signs of age. Here, too, oughtons of Cheltenham, distributors for Rolls-Royce ” Bentley, have tried hard to restore the car as far as ible to new condition. The finish, in silver grey on and side panels, black on the roof, boot and bonnet, -tly resprayed some time ago, and still sets standards –ty difficult to fault anywhere; and the chrome trim shines well and is marred by remarkably few scratches, considering the age of the car.
Deeply-upholstered maroon leather seats show little wear, though there is some creasing. The polished wood facia and window surrounds are unblemished, but the front door fillets have been refurbished and are now darker than the rest of the trim. There are thick, woolly grey carpets front and rear and the original carpets beneath them are in good shape. Cloth roof linings are unusually clean.
In the fitted tray under the facia and in the spare wheel locker beneath the boot floor, every item of the toolkit, including tyre pressure gauge and spare bulbs, is complete and in place. The Dunlop spare tyre is the only one which has had any appreciable wear; the four India tyres are all practically new. Headlamps, giving dazzling yet inadequate illumination, are about the only aspect a new owner would want to improve. New exhaust systems will be needed probably within the next year.
It was unfortunate that radiator blockage caused overheating towards the end of the test, but this has now been rectified. The R-Type’s all-round excellence more than justifies the price asked.
Of the mass of equipment on the car, including heater, radio, rear window demister and blind, and windscreen washer, only the clock is not working. The last standard Bentley so equipped, the R-Type has a sliding roof, which still opens easily and does not leak
PERFORMANCE CHECK (Figures in brackets are those of the automatic model, Road Tested 6 November 1953; 0 to 30 m.p.h. 4.0 see (4.4) Standing quarter-mile 20’2 sec (19.1) 0 to 40 m.p.h. 7•5 sec (—) 0 to 50 m.p.h. 11’5 sec (IWO) 20 to 40 m.p.h. (top gear) 8•0 sec 0 to 60 m.p.h. 15’5 sec (13.8) 0 to 70 m.p.h. 22.0 sec (19’1) 30 to 50 m.p.h. (top gear) 8’6 sec 0 to 80 m.p.n. 30.2 sec (26’3)
Car for sale at: Broughtons of Cheltenham Ltd., High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Telephone: Cheltenham 55374
-859
USED CARS
ON u HE ROAD
No. 222 • 1953 BENTLEY I’-Type PRICE: Secondhand £1,095; New—Basic 43,100, with tax b4,824 Petrol consumption 14-17 m.p.g Mileometer reading 158,337 Oil consumption 300 m.p.pint Dare first registered 13 January 1953
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