The Bentley R-type evolved out of the Bentley MkVI which had been launched in 1946 as the Bentley/Rolls-Royce first ever standard steel saloon. Colin Blatchley revised the MkVI and showed his potential as the future designer of the Silver Cloud and Silver Shadow. Launched in 1952, the R-type (and its cousin the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn) was mechanically similar to the MkVI and continued with its 4,566cc 6-cylinder engine. The chassis was available to other coachbuilders and a number of very elegant designs were produced. Replaced in 1955 by the S-type/Silver Cloud, 2300 Bentleys were sold and 760 Rolls-Royces (mainly for export).
aa Bentley R-type badget Continental
Bentley R-type Continental - boot badge
aa Bentley R-type ornament Continental
Bentley R-type Continental - ornament
ab Bentley R-type grille Continental
Bentley R-type Continental - grille
ac Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Graber Coupe head
Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Graber Coupe. The R-type Continental had a 4,566cc inline six 176bhp engine that could give the aluminium bodied Continental 100 mph.
ac Bentley R-type Continental head
Bentley R-type Continental 1954 HJM. With tuned 4,566cc 6-cylinder engine.
Bentley R-type 1954 Continental by Graber
Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Coupe. Graber bodied several Bentley R-types, each one almost unique
Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Graber Coupe rear
Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Graber Coupe. Graber's design shows great similarity with his Alvis Special Coupe of the same period
Bentley R-type Continental 1954 HJM frontg
Bentley R-type Continental 1954 HJM, Fastback body by HJ Mulliner
Bentley R-type rear Continental
Bentley R-type Continental 1954 HJM. Developed in a wind tunnel, the lightweight aluminium body was designed by Ivan Evernden. A few Continental chassis were supplied to other coachbuilders.
g Bentley R-type windows Continental
Bentley R-type Continental. The elegant window design by Ivan Evernden.
s Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Graber Coupe side
Bentley R-type 1954 Continental Graber Coupe. Carrosserie Hermann Graber did the coachwork on several MkVI and R-type Bentleys of this period, many drophead coupes but also several fixed head coupes.
t Bentley R-type tail Continental
Bentley R-type Continental 1954 HJM. Ivan Evernden gave the R-type finned rear wings for stability.