Owner: Graham Davenport
This Bentley is one of 2,323 R Type models produced by Rolls-Royce from 1952-1955. Only 295 R Types of that era sport custom bodies built by the small number of coachbuilders remaining after World War II.
The body, built by Freestone & Webb of London, is a one-off, four- door saloon – the only body of this style constructed. Design incorporates running boards, an unusual feature for this era and very rare among R Type bodies. Built by traditional methods, the body from the cowl back is hand-formed aluminum over Ash wood framing.
Front fenders and bonnets are steel derived from standard bodies and extensively modified by Freestone & Webb. The car was commissioned by Mr. S. H. Hunter of London in late 1952 with delivery in October 1953. It remained in the UK until import to the U.S. in 1974. Current owner Graham Davenport purchased it in 1976, and began restoration to original specifications in 1979.