Vehicle Description
-Shown at the Geneva Motor Show when new
-Rare James Young Alloy Coachwork
-1 of 6 in Left Hand Drive
-Factory A/C
Continental chassis BC5LBY was originally delivered through Garage
de L'Athenee in Switzerland, for their customer Ervin Piqueres. The
new Bentley had the distinction of being presented at the 1961
Geneva motor show. the year of its completion..
A man of fine taste, Piqueres selected what is believed to be just
36 total James Young bodied 4 door sport saloons, of which only six
were factory LHD cars like this one. This legendary workshop was
established in Bromley, south eastern London, in 1863, originally
building horse carriages and eventually graduating to automobiles
in 1908. Their first effort on a Bentley chassis was completed in
1921. By 1937 the firm had been purchased by Jack Barclay, famed
London based Rolls-Royce dealer. At the time Mr. Piqueres placed
his order James Young had long been established as one of the
foremost premium coach builders for the Bentley brand. BC5LBY
options included air-conditioning, white sided Dunlop tubeless
tires, high frequency horn, and an electric antenna, as listed on
the chassis specification sheet.
After spending some time in Switzerland, the RROC directory for
1973 shows that the Bentley was owned by Ralph H. Kress of Forest
Hills Gardens, New York. He owned it until 1997. The RROC directory
of 1999 then lists Richard Riegel Jr. of Delaware as the new
owner.
The lightweight aluminum body is burgundy and the interior is tan
leather. Both were restored in 2012 to a high standard by the
specialists at Hilborn Motor Car Interiors. The motor and
transmission have also been restored, as well as work done to the
air conditioning system, new brakes, and tires. The videos
illustrate the exceptional quality of the restoration and nearly
unblemished condition.
Included with the car are the BDC/RROC records - including the
build sheet and delivery order - and the tools and original
handbook.
Priced at $275.000
