Chassis no.

BC1LB was one of only six second-series “B” Bentley R-Type Continentals equipped with both left-hand-drive and the desirable manual transmission, and was also fitted from new with lightweight aluminum-frame bucket seats and Wilmot Breedon bumpers, as well as the rear fender “spats” common to all R-Type Continentals through the late “C” series.

The only item among the enthusiast’s wish list of R-Type Continental features that it lacked when new was the larger, more powerful 4.9-liter engine—as it did not yet exist.

That engine would only be introduced for the final “D” and “E” cars, in 1954.

This situation was shortly remedied for BC1LB’s original owner, J.

Gordon Mack, of the Pennsylvania family that owned the G.C.

Murphy variety store chain.

Mr.

Mack took delivery on 16 July 1953, via New York distributor J.S.

Inskip.

Less than a year later, presumably following a serious accident, the car was returned to the factory and totally remanufactured to the most current...