Bentley Continental

1952 to 1965

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. 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 very special light-weight bodies designed and built under the close supervision of Rolls-Royce. One of the world's most expensive automobiles, only about 208 R-Type Continentals were built in total. In 2015, a 1952 R-Type Continental, in unrestored condition, sold for over US$1 million.

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 S1 was well received, and 49 were built. The S2 was delivered from July 1959, and it debuted with a new L Series V-8 engine.. It also incorporated previously optional amenities, such as 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. This series of the Continental ended with deliveries in November 1965, after the September 1965 introduction of the unitary construction T-series.

Production timeline

Grand Touring cars:

• 1952–1955 Bentley R-Type Continental
• 1955–1959 Bentley S1 Continental
• 1959–1962 Bentley S2 Continental
• 1962–1965 Bentley S3 Continental

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

Bentley S1 Continental in New Zealand in the 1960's.jpg| Bentley S1 RREC Annual Rally 2006 4846433986.jpg| File:Bentley Continental S2 3157641144.jpg| 1961 Bentley S2 6.2.jpg|1961 Bentley S2 Standard saloon SC06 1962 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur.jpg|

1984 to 2002

The Continental nameplate was revived in 1984. The following cars with non-standard and distinctive bodywork were produced until 2002:

• 1984–1995 Bentley Continental
• 1991–2002 Bentley Continental R
• 1994–1995 Bentley Continental S
• 1996–2002 Bentley Continental T

Bentley Continental (1988) 26-SF-SN p1.JPG| Continental_R.JPG| 2000 Bentley Continental R.jpg|

2003 to present

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

• 2003–present Bentley Continental GT
• 2006–present Bentley Continental GTC
• 2005–2013 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

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.

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, alongside Porsche's Panamera. Bentley's factory in Crewe will carry out final assembly. 2005 Bentley Continental GT - Flickr - The Car Spy (28).jpg|

References

References

1. "Bentley Car Rental Dubai".
2. Martin Bennett, John Blatchley ''Bentley Continental: Corniche & Azure 1951-2002''. Martin Bennett, 2010
3. "History". Bentley Motors.
4. "1954 Bentley R Type news, pictures, and information". conceptcarz.com.
5. "Rare Bentley Brings Big Dollars At Auction". Pursuing W.O..
6. Classic Cars, May 2010, page 114
7. Motorist´s Compendium and Driver´s Almanack, Dec 1959
8. "Bentley history: Cricklewood, then Derby and for the last 60 years at Crewe". Bentley Media.
9. "Bentley Continental". Wikicar.
10. Loveday, Eric. (2016-02-25). "Next-Generation Bentley Continental To Get Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain From Porsche Cayenne PHEV". InsideEVs.com.
11. (11 Apr 2017). "Porsche, Bentley synergies can help VW Group". Automotive News.