1954 Bentley sells for FOUR times its estimate at £800k

Home Top

'I'm a woman': Tearful Bruce Jenner reveals he considered suicide while transitioning to his 'true self' in Diane Sawyer interview which will be his last as a man
Inside Bruce Jenner's new life as a woman: Reality star shows Diane Sawyer the little black dress in secret closet of women's clothing and reveals plans for 'glam room'
Kris Jenner DID know about Bruce Jenner's transition attempt during 1980s: Olympian confessed to wife because he could no longer hide his 36B breasts
$LOS ANGELES, CA ñ April 24, 2015: Bruce Jenner ñ The Inverview\nOlympian and reality-TV star Bruce Jenner shares and exclusive and wide-ranging conversation with Diane Sawyer.\nPhotograph:© ABC "Disclaimer: CM does not claim any Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fees charged by CM are for its services only, and do not, nor are they intended to convey to the user any Copyright or License in the material. By publishing this material, The Daily Mail expressly agrees to indemnify and to hold CM harmless from any claims, demands or causes of action arising out of or connected in any way with user's publication of the material."\n$ 'Kim caught me in a dress... and Kendall and Kylie did too': Bruce Jenner reveals his children kept 'family secret' and shares touching story of how Kanye West help wife accept transition
Bruce's second wife tells how he thought about having a sex change in the 1980s
Furious Kris Jenner hits out at Diane Sawyer for claiming she did not provide a comment on Bruce - and insists he is her 'hero'
Husband and wife whose two dogs mauled father-of-three jogger to death as he begged for help could be freed from prison in just 19 MONTHS after reaching plea deal
The summer glow diet: Pioneering book by nutritionist the stars swear by reveals the simple steps to looking and feeling fab
Bruce Jenner reveals he is a Republican Christian who is 'not a fan' of Obama in interview announcing he is transitioning to a woman
Baltimore police admit Freddie Gray should have got medical attention before van ride - but commissioner won't resign over his death
NBC investigators look into Brian Williams interview on the Daily Show about his reporting from Arab Spring protests
University shuts down as hundreds gather in support of Playboy Air Force vet who was arrested for tackling flag tramplers
How being attractive can ruin your career: Good-looking men get less job offers because they intimidate bosses, says study
Now conspiracy theorists say there is a 'hidden army' on Mars: Absurd theory suggests a bunker, people and missiles can be seen on the red planet
Woman, 82, dies after 'sister and nephew failed to move her from her chair for six months'
Woman, 25, gave birth in office bathroom, cut the cord with cuticle scissors, then sealed the baby in a plastic bag... and hid it in her desk drawer
Charles' and Di's 'secret daughter': Wills and Harry have an IVF sister living in hiding according to outlandish story gripping U.S... So is there a single scrap of evidence?
Missouri Senator personal assistant arrested for 'trafficking meth and date rape drugs from China to exchange for sexual favors'
William and Kate's pre-baby shopping spree: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spotted relaxing with some retail therapy in London before arrival of child number two
Eric Holder waves goodbye to the Justice Department after six years as America's attorney general
District Attorney demands investigation into allegations reserve deputy 'who shot and killed suspect with a gun instead of using his Taser' received preferential treatment from colleagues
The moment a hiker gets the shock of his life when the volcano he is filming erupts before his eyes
The baseball player who could be paid $70m to leave his team: After divorcing Real Housewife and drug relapse, Josh Hamilton risks being dropped by Los Angeles Angels
EXCLUSIVE: Now Ben Affleck's MOM reveals mistakes in documentary that censored star's family's slave-owning past as she says she did NOT take part in Freedom Summer or Freedom Rides

The Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback was expected to sell for £200,000
But an anonymous car collector bought it for £739,212 in Surrey yesterday
When the vintage car is restored, it could be worth more than £1million
Described as 'one of the rarest cars of its time' as only 218 cars were made

Published: 09:59 EST, 24 April 2015 | Updated: 13:54 EST, 24 April 2015

View
comments

A rare Bentley which has lain gathering dust for years has been bought for almost four times its estimated value - but still needs a full restoration.

The 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback was estimated to sell for around £200,000 by auctioneers but ended up being sold for £739,212 - a record for the auction house.

Originally commissioned by Welsh racing driver R D Weatherall and painted in his racing colour of purple - the license plate still bears his initials.

The 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback (pictured) sold for almost four times its estimated value

The rare Bentley needs a full restoration after it was allowed to gather dust in a barn over the past 15 years

More than 45 people placing bids on behalf of bidders from around the world in the room, over the phone and on the internet.

The Bentley eventually sold a to an anonymous British car collector - who faces the task of restoring the car to its former glory.

But when it is ready, it could be worth more than £1million - and would prove itself a wise investment for the buyer.

A strong market and rising prices mean vintage vehicles are increasingly popular as financial investments - and the value of some classic cars rose by 257 per cent between 2005 and 2013, it was recently reported.

But when it is ready, it could be worth more than £1million - and would prove itself a wise investment for the anonymous British collector who bought it

Earlier this week, a clapped out 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series III went on the market - offering car fanatics the chance to restore the virtually untouched vehicle - with the promise of being worth three times its £220,000 price tag when finished.

THE 1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK

The R-Type was the second series of post-war Bentley automobiles, replacing the Mark VI.

It was considered the epitome of British luxury in the 1950s as well as being the first car to carry the Continental nameplate.

It was the fastest production car of the period as it could reach 120mph.

But despite its speed capability, the Continental model was produced specifically for the domestic market in continental Europe.

And despite vehicles having the same uniform style, each car was unique in detail and unlike almost every car of its time, the Continental had an all-aluminum body.

Richard Charlesworth, Bentley's director of royal and VIP relations, described the 1954 Bentley as 'one of the rarest and most iconic cars of its time' as only 218 were made.

He also referred to it as 'almost the Bugatti Veyron of its day'.

However, this white model is far from fast after spending the past 15 years gathering dust in a barn.

When new, the Bentley was the world's fastest four-seat car - capable of 120mph.

This was thanks to a 4.9-litre engine which developed almost 180bhp - a large figure for a 61-year-old car.

Tony Cavell, director at Barons, said the winning bid was 'an absolutely fantastic result'.

He added: 'A 'lost' car always attracts collectors' attention, and when it's such a rare, iconic and valuable machine, that interest can lead to a frenetic bidding battle such as we saw yesterday.

'It will be fascinating to see the 'journey' the Bentley now takes, as its restoration commences.'