An iconic fastback with 4.9litre engine


















Car location
BethesdaHi Can we update the customer dealer page with this The Real Car Company Ltd The Real Car Company was established in 1987 by Ray Arnold & Ian Johnstone to specialise in the sale of early Rolls-Royce and Bentley. It was a hobby that 'Got out of hand'. Our interest in cars of the type that we now sell goes back to our childhoods, and ownership back to the 1970s. Gradually more cars started passing through our hands, and by 1986 we had decided to make a full-time occupation of buying and selling the cars that we love. We started with a single car (all we could afford) which we sold quickly, and before we knew it we had 4 or 5 on our hands! This was alongside another business (exhaust systems) that we were involved in at the time. In the spring of 1988 we gave up the other business, rented part of the premises that we still operate from now, and went full time. We started well in the boom years of the late eighties, which set us up well enough for us to ride the storm of recession in the years that followed. As the years went on the number of cars going through our hands increased gradually, we built up a workforce, and we now carry a stock of around 30 to 40 vehicles with nine of us here. Over the years we have gratefully received awards from the motoring press. We are always interested in acquiring cars of the type that we sell so if you know of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley for sale, anywhere in the World, particularly an early model, please let us know
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 reupholstered in recent times, including red piping to the leather, also as per original specification. The woodwork is gorgeous, with lovely veneers incorporating crossbanding ornamentation, and the carpets and headlining are absolutely excellent and very fresh. The engine compartment is clean, correct and wellpresented, 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.