The name “Bentley Boys” was given to the group of wealthy young sportsmen who supported W.O. Bentley’s company in its early years by buying, promoting, and racing his products. Mike Couper, a new car distributor and gentleman sportsman of some renown, was one of these and he remained faithful to the marque long after it passed out of W.O.’s ownership.

Couper participated in the Rallye Monte-Carlo for years, using various Rolls-Royce and Bentley products. In 1953, he took the wheel of this R-Type Saloon, chassis number B68SR, accompanied by Pat Fillingham and Peter Tabor. It was equipped with, among other unique features, special snow tyres and a factory-supplied cylinder head similar to that of the famed R-Type Continental; this may well have been the first standard R-Type to have been so-equipped by the factory. Factory build sheets for the car, which are on file, record it as a “factory trials car”, further confirming that it had been set up by Bentley for just such activities. In addition, the car was configured with left-hand springing for driving on European roads, and with slightly lowered suspension.

The trio of Couper, Fillingham, and Tabor began the 1953 Rally from Glasgow, Scotland, one of several sanctioned starting points, subsequently passing through Wales and into London via Dover and the cross-channel ferry. Upon arrival in France, they paused for lunch before continuing through dense fog into Belgium, then the Netherlands, and finally on icy, treacherous roads into Paris. At that point, the Bentley proceeded into the snow-covered mountains.

Upon entering Monte Carlo, the car finished 45th in a timed test on the Col de Braus mountain pass. They were awarded the Concours de Comfort, a significant honour bestowed upon the best-detailed car at the conclusion of the rally, as well as a special Coupe d’Or honouring Couper’s contribution to the event over the years. The successful journey had been made only with time to rest at fine hotels and for meals at some of Europe’s finest restaurants.

Following the rally, the Bentley resided in Europe until 1968; it was then exported to California, where previous owner George Giese discovered it. Today, Mike Couper’s Monte-Carlo Bentley remains well preserved and was found to retain its matching-numbers engine. It benefitted from a quality repaint undertaken in its factory-correct colour of Moss Green in the early 1990s. Acquired by the consigning owner in 2016, this Bentley would be highly eligible for the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique and is a wonderful opportunity to acquire arguably the most significant R-Type Standard Steel Saloon.