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The R-Type was the epitome of British luxury in the 1950s and the first car to carry the Continental nameplate. Despite having a uniform style, each car was unique in detail. Unlike almost every car of the period, the Continental had an all-aluminum body.

The R-Type was the second series of post-war Bentley automobile, replacing the Mark VI. The front of the saloon model was identical to the Mark VI, but many had custom coachwork. The Continental model was produced specially for continental Europe, with many coachbuilt by H.J. Mulliner. This would be the first appearance of the famed Bentley Continental name.

All R Type models used an iron-block/aluminum-head straight-6 engine fed by twin SU carburettors. The basic engine displaced 4.6 L (4566 cc/278 in³) with a 92.08 mm (3.6 in) bore and 114.3 mm (4.5 in) stroke. The Continental had a larger bore of 94.62 mm (3.7 in) for a total displacement of 4.9 L (4887 cc/298 in³).

A 4-speed manual transmission was standard with a 4-speed automatic optional.

Chassis & Sales

1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback - sold for $550,000 The original left-drive example offered here, BC66LC, is one of a mere 77 Series C cars, and is one of only three examples originally constructed with left-hand drive and an automatic gearbox. Listed in The Continental Register, its provenance is very well documented. It was first dispatched to J.S. Inskip, Inc. in the United States in May 1954, and was immediately sold to Mr. John Dimick. Mr. Dimick retained the car until January 1964, when i... more
Gallery: 2008 Monterey Preview

1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback - sold for €395,780 Retaining its original interior trim, the car shows only the slightest signs of use over the last 54 years. Its recorded mileage of about 135,000 is thought to be correct, an average of under 2,500 miles per annum. Entrusted to respect Bentley specialists Messrs. Hunt and Keale, who maintain the rest of the vendor’s fine collection, BC22B was recently stripped to bare metal and repainted in the correct Masons Black scheme while the interior wo... more
Gallery: 2008 RM Automobiles of London

1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback BC16LD - sold for $770,000 The Ultimate Specification R-Type Fastback. Desirable 4.9-Litre Equipped with Bucket Seats and Centre-Change Gearshift. One of Only 43 Left-Hand Drive Examples. Accompanied by the Rare Touring Spares Kit. Beautifully Preserved, Highly Original Condition. Offered with an Exceptional File of Documentation.
Gallery: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Franay Coupé BC.9.LE. - did not sell for €475,000 The last R-Type Continental built. Ex-Paris Salon l’Automobile 1955. One of only 208 R-Type Continentals and just five Franay-bodied examples. One-off coachwork; the last designed by Marius Franay. Rare left-hand drive car and one of only nine with automatic gearbox. Restored to original specification, shown at Villa d’Este in 2003. The fastest production four-seater in the world.
Gallery: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction

1955 Bentley R-Type Continental H.J. Mulliner Fastback BC7E - sold for €409,292 The penultimate Mulliner fastback built. Bentley’s flagship model and the world’s fastest sports saloon of the period. Known history from new. Beautifully finished in original colours of Midnight Blue with red trim.
Gallery: 2011 Salon Privé Auction by RM

1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback BC62LC - sold for $753,500 Bought new by Laurence Rockefeller as a gift to his wife Mary French Rockefeller. The fastest production car of its time. One of 193 Fastback Continentals; one of only 43 delivered with left-hand drive. Automatic transmission and air conditioning. Always fastidiously maintained, without regard to expense.
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

1954 Bentley R-Type Continental H.J. Mulliner Sports Saloon BC64C - sold for €387,000 A right-hand drive, manual transmission model, 'BC64C' was built to special order for first owner P McDonald, who specified the 'sporting' package that included lightweight bucket seats and a right-hand gearchange. The Bentley was subsequently owned by the Kent and England cricketer Godfrey Evans, whose Wisden entry describes him as 'arguably the best wicket keeper the game has ever seen.' In April 1976 the Continental passed into the ownershi... more
Gallery: 2011 Goodwood Revival Sale by Bonhams

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