Bentley Continental 1954 - Fastback BC38D 4-Door

A late example of the iconic fastback, benefiting from the 4.9 litre engine, which was only fitted to the D & E series cars. This one also has an automatic gearbox & the larger, better padded seats, making the car very easy, comfortable & enjoyable to drive. The car is in lovely condition and beautifully finished in the original colour of metallic Regal red, and re-upholstered in recent times, including red piping to the leather, also as per original specification. The woodwork is gorgeous, with lovely veneers incorporating cross-banding ornamentation, and the carpets and headlining are absolutely excellent and very fresh. The engine compartment is clean, correct and well-presented, showing care and attention, and is just the way we like to see them, not over the top or over prepared. Rectification and repair work in recent years by a specialist amounted to more than £18,000. Has been with one family for 44 years, is all correct, driving very nicely and is in excellent condition throughout. Offered, prepared, serviced and MoT tested. Chassis No. BC38D Reg No. RXY 3. Snippets: Screen, Speed & 007 Samuel John Harris of Cinema Press Ltd registered BC38D at his home of 92 Cheyne Walk & his business The Cinema, 93 Wardour Street both in the West End of London. Samuel Harris came from a family with many noteworthy & notorious individuals whose wealth originated from William & Elizabeth Levy. In 1817 there was a report mentioning the disorderly house which attracted the attention of a House of Commons enquiry but their descendants were more circumspect in their careers becoming lawyers, QCs, Military heroes, actors, artists and adventurers! The book Wealth & Notoriety about the Levy family makes for fascinating reading with detailed information of the extended family, a must read for the next owner of the Bentley. In 1954 whilst dining with his family at Cheyne Walk, thieves entered the upper storey of the Harris home & stole furs & jewellery amounting to some £1,300, all without disturbing the family. Within a few years BC38D was with Guy Howard Martineau whose family were involved in banking, brewing, textiles & politics. In 1930 Howard Martineau & his family acquired the rights to the UK branch of the French firm Salmson Motors (the Martineau brothers were very involved in the car racing scene of the 1920s, they raced against each other & Malcolm Campbell). Salmson Motor Co started out as manufacturers of aero engines & later produced a small quantity of cars being the Salmson 12/70 S4C, the S4D & the 20/90 S6D with versions including saloons, tourers & drophead coupes, production of cars ceased prior to WWII so that the firm could concentrate on the war effort. The third owner was Gilbert Nelson Southall of GN Southall Securities, he died at his home of 98 Eaton Square at the young age of 54 leaving a small fortune of some £750,000 to his widow Betty. During the 1960s BC38D was with Aubrey Forshaw, MD of Pan Books, legend has it that he was the inspiration for the cars that James drove & destroyed! Ian Fleming wrote the following dedication in the flyleaf of On Her Majestys Secret Service: To Aubrey, who wrote some of it! From Ian. As Aubrey was a keen motorist, he was often the go to expert for technical information concerning the various cars hence the inscription.