In 1952 the second post ’39-’45 conflict Bentley was launched known as the R-Type. Internally the vehicle was known as the Bentley 7 following the Mk VI launched in 1946, the two models are differentiated by a slightly larger motor and larger boot/trunk of the R-Type.
Like the Mk VI the R-Type was available with either a standard steel saloon/sedan body by Pressed Steel of Coventry or a bespoke body from a decreasing number of coachworks. It is not clear exactly which body was fitted to today’s featured 1954 car when it was new but the chassis number tells us it was definitely a saloon and not one of the 208 two door Continental chassis built between 1952 and 1955.
In 1966 the owner of #B77ZX Robert (Bob) Gooda commissioned the Coupé body by Robert Peel that is seen in these photographs taken by Jay Wollenweber at Danville Concours d’Elegance a couple of years ago. The following year Brian Dumps raced the car in a Bentley Drivers Club event at Silverstone in which several other unusual post war Bentley’s also appear to have taken part. There is also an image of B77ZX taking part in an as yet unidentified grass track event linked here.
After it’s 1960’s competition career #B77ZX turned up in Series 2 Episode 10 “Classic Connection” as a background vehicle of the late 70’s television series Vega$ staring Robert Urich as investigator Dan Tanna (Down Towner ?) , unfortunately this is not a series that made it to the UK but I gather the plot of Classic Connection revolved around a classic car show on the city where what happens, stays.
A search on the internet shows the car has changed hands many times appearing in two Bonhams auctions most recently in 2009. Members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club will be lucky to see the allegedly 250 hp Gooda Special at the 72nd GRRC members meeting on 29-30 March 2014 when it will be driven by owner Terry O’Reilly in the Tony Gaze Trophy.
If any GRRC member who would like to invite the author as their grateful guest to the aforementioned event at Goodwood, please do not hesitate to get in touch below.
My thanks to Jay Wollenweber for kindly sharing his photographs and to Vince “raceanouncer2003” H at The Nostalgia Forum for his help with finding out additional details about the car.
Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Connection Vega$” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a well known NASCAR entrants Nitemare. Don’t forget to come back now !
