Bentley Continental

Bentley Continental is a model name for very special chassis with engines more powerful than the usual offering supplied to a selected number of coachbuilders for the fitting of very light weight coachwork designed under Rolls-Royce supervision. The model name Continental had already been used by Rolls-Royce for models intended and geared for long distance high speed touring on roads and of a style then only available in continental Europe. 1930s to 1950s advertising for even the Standard Steel Bentley saloons carried the slogan the Silent Sports Car.

Bentley Continental
1956 convertible by Park Ward
Overview
ManufacturerBentley Motors
Production1952–1965
1984–2002
Body and chassis
Body style
LayoutFR layout

Their Continental was a lighter faster more nimble high performance version for high-speed travel in great comfort.

The same name, without the same specification, has since been recycled twice by Bentley in 1984 and again in 2003.

From 1952 to 1965
The 'Embiricos' Bentley by Portout of Paris 1938, a prototype Bentley Continental[1]

Grand Touring Cars. Following the break brought about by the Second World War Bentley resumed production of civilian automobiles relocating its plant from Derby to Crewe. There, Bentley engineers produced R-Type Continentals for three years, from June 1952 to April 1955.[2] These cars were derivatives of the Standard Steel R-Type, the second series in Bentley's postwar luxury lineup.

The R-Type Continental's chassis was specially built incorporating special components, including a high performance engine, and fitted with a very special light weight bodies designed and built under the close supervision of Rolls-Royce. One of the world's most expensive automobiles,[3] only about 208 R-Type Continentals were built in total.

After the R-Type Continental the Continental S1 (1955–1959), S2 (1959–1962), and S3 (1962–1965) were delivered beginning in March 1955. The first was well received and 49 were built.[4][5] The S2 delivered from July 1959, debuted with a new L Series V-8 engine,. It also incorporated previously optional amenities, air conditioning and power-steering. The S3, delivered from September 1962, was distinguishable principally by having four headlamps instead of two in the front wings.[6]

In 2015 a 1952 R Type Continental, in unrestored condition, sold for over $1 million USD.[7]

The second generation of the Continental ended with deliveries in November 1965 after the September 1965 introduction of the unitary construction T Series.[8] The Continental nameplate would not be revived until 1984.

Production timeline

1952 to 1965

Grand Touring cars:

Production closed with the introduction of the unitary construction Bentley T-series.

  • 1953 R-Type by H J Mulliner
  • 1957 S1 by Park Ward
  • 1962 S3 saloon, Mulliner's Flying Spur

1984 to 2002

The following cars with non-standard and distinctive bodywork were produced through 2002:

  • 1988 Continental
  • 1998 Continental R
  • 2000 Continental R

Volkswagen ownership
Bentley Continental
2013 Bentley Continental GT (II)
Overview
ManufacturerBentley Motors
Production2003–present
Body and chassis
Body style2-door coupé
2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout

2003 to date

Three versions of the Continental have been sold following Vickers' sale of Bentley to Volkswagen:

Next generation

The next-generation Bentley Continental is scheduled for 2018, and it will include a plug-in hybrid variant. Bentley will borrow the plug-in hybrid powertrain from the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid.[9]

Components for Bentley Continental will be sourced from Volkswagen's plants in Germany and Slovakia, with stampings from Volkswagen's factory in Bratislava. Porsche's plant in Leipzig will be responsible for assembling bodies-in-white, along Porsche's Panamera. Bentley's factory in Crewe will carry out final assembly.[10]

  • 2005 GT

References
  1. Martin Bennett, John Blatchley Bentley Continental: Corniche & Azure 1951-2002. Martin Bennett, 2010
  2. "History". Bentley Motors. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  3. "1954 Bentley R Type news, pictures, and information". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  4. Classic Cars, May 2010, page 114
  5. Motorist´s Compendium and Driver´s Almanack, Dec 1959
  6. "Bentley history: Cricklewood, then Derby and for the last 60 years at Crewe". Bentley Media. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  7. "Rare Bentley Brings Big Dollars At Auction". Pursuing W.O. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  8. "Bentley Continental". Wikicar. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  9. Loveday, Eric (25 February 2016). "Next-Generation Bentley Continental To Get Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain From Porsche Cayenne PHEV". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  10. Hetzner, Christiaan (11 April 2017). "Porsche, Bentley synergies can help VW Group". Automotive News. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
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