Bentley R and Bentley Continental
(1952 – 1955)
Bentley R, 1954, #B77WG, Standard Steel Sports Saloon and Bentley R, 1953, B271SP, Abbott Two-Door Sports Saloon. Customers could get what they wanted: beside the elegant standard body from the factory several coachbuilders offered to choose from a variety of other designs..
Production of the Bentley R Type commenced in 1952. The factory saloon coachwork was indistinguishable from that of the Bentley Mark VI up to the rear doors, the back however covered under a one-piece boot lid a more spacious luggage compartment. By special order the R-Type was delivered as rolling-chassis to become subject of custom coachwork. Built and designed for Continental use was the Bentley R Continental with a tuned 4,566 cc engine (later increased to 4,887 cc) with low-loss exhaust system and higher geared gearbox and rear axle ratios. The majority of R Type Continentals were clothed with light aerodynamically styled two door fastback saloons by H.J. Mulliner; only very few received bespoke coachwork from Graber in Switzerland, Franay in France and one body was created by Pininfarina in Italy.
Bentley R Continental. Wind tunnel tests had shown that the stability of H.J. Mulliner’s Fastback Saloon was improved by shaping the rear wings like fins.
Technical Data:
6 cylinder in-line engine, cast iron cylinder block, bore x stroke 92.08 x 114.3 mm, capacity 4,566 cc (Continental only: from 1954 bore x stroke 94,62 x 114,3 mm (3 3/4 x 1/2 in), capacity 4,887 cc); aluminium alloy cylinder head, twin SU carburettors; single dry plate clutch, 4-speed gearbox, 4-speed automatic gearbox optional; hypoid bevel final drive; independent front suspension with coil springs, semi-elliptic springs rear; drum brakes servo-assisted; wheelbase 3,048 mm (120 in); tyre size 6.50 x 16
Bentley R, 1953, #B60RT, Park Ward Drophead Coupé. With its extended rear frame the R-Type chassis was well suited for this coachwork with its rather long rear overhang.
No. made:
|
2320 |
Bentley R (303 were fitted with coachbuilt bodies) |
|
207 |
Bentley R Continental |
|
1 |
Bentley Continental prototype |
|
2528 |
Bentley altogether |