Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner

Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner

The Bentley R-Type Continental, produced from 1952 to 1955, is one of the most revered automobiles of the 20th century and is widely considered the definitive post-war grand touring car. With its magnificent H.J. Mulliner fastback coachwork, it was the fastest four-seater production car in the world when launched — capable of reaching 120 mph at a time when most luxury cars struggled to exceed 90 mph. It represented an extraordinary achievement in combining genuine high performance with Bentley levels of refinement and comfort.

The Continental project was championed by Bentley's chief project engineer, Ivan Evernden, who envisioned a lighter, more aerodynamic version of the standard R-Type saloon that could serve as a genuine high-speed grand tourer for Continental (European) touring. Working with the coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner, aerodynamicist Professor Gott of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, and stylist John Blatchley, Evernden created one of the most beautiful automotive forms ever committed to aluminium.

The fastback body, with its sweeping roofline flowing into a gracefully tapered tail, was revolutionary for a car of this size and luxury. The use of aluminium panels over an ash frame kept weight to approximately 1,614 kg — remarkably light for a full four-seater Bentley. Every detail was refined for aerodynamic efficiency: the rear wheel spats, the integrated bumpers, the flush door handles, and the carefully shaped roofline all contributed to a remarkably low drag coefficient for the era.

The engine was a higher-compression version of Rolls-Royce's 4,566cc inlet-over-exhaust (F-head) inline-six, producing approximately 153 hp — a figure Rolls-Royce/Bentley characteristically never officially confirmed, preferring the enigmatic description 'adequate.' The engine breathed through a larger-bore exhaust system and benefited from a higher final drive ratio, tuned specifically for sustained high-speed cruising. The standard R-Type Continental was fitted with a four-speed manual gearbox, as the automatic transmission of the standard R-Type was considered inappropriate for a performance car.

Performance was extraordinary for a 1950s luxury car. The Continental could cruise at 100 mph in near-silence and reach 117 mph flat out. In its era, only dedicated sports cars could match these figures, and none offered the Continental's combination of speed, comfort, and elegance. It was the car of choice for Europe's wealthiest and most discerning drivers, who used it to cross continents at speeds most cars of the era could not sustain.

Just 208 R-Type Continentals were produced, the majority bodied by H.J. Mulliner in the iconic fastback style. A handful received alternative coachwork from Franay, Graber, Pininfarina, and other coachbuilders, but it is the Mulliner fastback that defines the model and commands the highest values.

Today, the R-Type Continental is one of the most valuable post-war Bentleys and is universally recognized as one of the greatest cars ever made. Its influence extended far beyond its production run — the Continental name became a cornerstone of Bentley's brand identity, revived for the Continental GT in 2003 and continuing to the present day.