Misallocation

1953 Bentley R-Type Empress by Hooper

Sold at RM Sotheby's on Sept. 5, 2020, offered with no reserve.

$49,500Confirmed

The price as reported by the house. Hammer price $44,196, before the buyer's premium. Read from the house's results Oct. 26, 2026.

The car

Year
1953
Make and model
Bentley Mark VI and R-Type
Generation
Mark VI and R-Type (1946 to 1955)
Chassis
B320TN
Condition
Good (3)Likely

Condition is our reading of the listing's description on Hagerty's 1 to 4 scale, not an inspection.

This car's full record

Against comparable sales

Above the middle half of 31 comparable sales, 10% over its top.

Middle half of sales$10,050 to $40,125
Median$23,300
Sales behind it31Likely

From 31 sales of the Bentley Mark VI and R-Type (1946 to 1955) in our data over the last 24 months. Hammer prices, before buyer's fees. Half sold between $10,050 and $40,125.

Closest sales

Closest comparable sales
CarAuctionDatePrice
1953 Bentley R-Type Park Ward Fixed-Head Coupe ProjectBring a Trailer, Aug. 15, 2026Bring a TrailerAug. 15, 2026$15,250
1953 Bentley R-Type H.J. Mulliner Continental FastbackBroad Arrow, Aug. 14, 2026Broad ArrowAug. 14, 2026$710,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon 4-SpeedBring a Trailer, Aug. 3, 2026Bring a TrailerAug. 3, 2026$37,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon 4-Speed ProjectBring a Trailer, March 20, 2026Bring a TrailerMarch 20, 2026$6,100
1953 BENTLEY R-TYPEBarrett-Jackson, Jan. 22, 2026Barrett-JacksonJan. 22, 2026$70,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental H.J. Mulliner FastbackMecum, Jan. 17, 2026MecumJan. 17, 2026$810,000
1953 Bentley R-Type Empress Saloon by HooperBring a Trailer, Nov. 7, 2025Bring a TrailerNov. 7, 2025$40,250
1953 Bentley R-Type Saloon 4-Speed ProjectBring a Trailer, Sept. 16, 2025Bring a TrailerSept. 16, 2025$3,000

This car's historyLikely

Matched across sales by chassis number.

DateWhat happenedWhereMilesPrice
Sept. 5, 2020Sold (this sale)RM Sotheby'sRM Sotheby's$49,500
Nov. 7, 2025SoldBring a TrailerBring a Trailer$40,250