{"id":13927,"date":"2019-09-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secret-classics.com\/bentley-r-type-continental-fastback-2\/"},"modified":"2020-10-07T16:01:14","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T16:01:14","slug":"bentley-r-type-continental-fastback-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secret-classics.com\/en\/bentley-r-type-continental-fastback-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the beginning of the 1950s, Bentley began developing the stronger and faster Continental variant based on the R-Type. This model series was the final independent model after the takeover of Bentley by Rolls-Royce. All successors up to the separation of the two brands at the end of the 1990s were identical versions of the corresponding RR models. After only seven months of development, the first drivable prototype was ready, which was internally given the internal nickname ‘OLGA’ due to its British number plates ‘OLG490’. Olga served for various driving tests, among other things also on the Autodrome de Linas-Montlh\u00e9ry in France, where a topspeed of 192 kph was reached on Dunlop racing tyres. Nevertheless, Bentley used this value for advertising purposes. In the series version, however, the initially 4.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine couldn’t quite meet these specifications. From the middle of 1954 the capacity was increased to 4.9 liters, whereby the performance, which was always indicated only with ‘sufficient’ on request, increased to around 170 hp. In addition, with this larger engine Bentley also introduced an optional automatic transmission next to the standard four-speed manual gearbox.

The Continental took over the classic ladder frame from the normal R-Type, but then received a body with steel structure and aluminium body parts, which was usually created by H.J. Mulliner when it was still an independent company. With its pontoon shape and the hatchback it differed clearly from the R-Type. Optically, it was inspired by competitors like the Cadillac 62 Coup\u00e9 or the Bentley Mark VI Cresta, which was designed by Pininfarina and produced about 17 times at Facel in France. The rear wheels of the R-Type Continental were open, but could be ordered with more aerodynamical covers as well. It wasn’t possible until 1954 to order bare chassis and sent them to independent coachbuilders. But afterwards five Coup\u00e9s and a Convertible were produced at Park Ward, three cars were built at Graber in Switzerland and one each by Pininfarina and James Young. In addition, there were five cars from the coachbuilder Franay in Paris. A total of only 207 Bentley R-Type Continental were produced before the company in Crewe changed to the newer S-Type.<\/p>\n\n\n

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