1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon
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At £6,928 when new, the R-Type Continental ranked among the most expensive cars in the world and attracted a clientele to match. H.J. Mulliner crafted the fastback coachwork on the vast majority of the 208 examples built, giving the “Continental Sports Saloon” (as Bentley originally called it) an elegantly tapered profile that complemented its performance.
The ability to carry four passengers and luggage in the trunk at up to 120 mph, in near silence, defined the R-Type Continental’s appeal. Powered by a 4,566cc inline-six fed by twin SU carburetors, early cars produced approximately 153 hp, with later high-compression versions offering increased output.
Available with a floor-mounted four-speed manual gearbox and individual front seats in place of the standard bench configuration, the sporting specification produced one of the most capable grand tourers of the early 1950s and one of the most desirable Bentleys built.
Curb weight was approximately 3,800 pounds (1,725 kg), remarkably light for a luxury four-seater of its era.
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