Bentley Continental Tyres

Bentley Continental R Mulliner Saloon

History of the Bentley Continental R

1952-1955 Bentley R-Type Continental

The Bentley R-Type Continental was launched in 1952, and it was considered to be the first 'Continental' model made by Bentley. The R-Type was a fastback coupé, featuring a lightweight aluminium body designed by H.J. Mulliner. The R-Type Continental was powered by a 4.6-liter straight-six engine that was later upgraded to 4.9 liters. This impressive engine allowed for a top speed of 120 mph, which was highly impressive for its day, especially considering the Continental was a large, comfortable luxury car. The 1952-1955 R-Type Continental was one of the fastest four-seater cars of its era and, as only 208 cars were produced, was highly valuable and collectible.

1955-1965 Bentley S-Type Continental

The S-Type Continental spanned 3 series; S1 was in production from 1955 to 1959, S2 from 1959 to 1962, and the S3 from 1962 to 1965. The coachbuilding was done by different firms, including H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, and James Young. The S1 Continental had a 4.9-liter straight-six engine, whereas the S2 and S3 variants had an upgraded 6.2-liter V8 engine. This series of Continentals continued Bentley's tradition of making high-performance and luxurious grand tourers.

1955 Bentley Continental Model Range

1984–1995 Bentley Continental

The 1984–1995 Bentley Continental was released during a transitional phase for Bentley, representing a bridge between the classic and more modern models. The new Continental continued Bentley's grand touring tradition with a focus on luxury and performance. The engine was a 6.75-liter, naturally aspirated V8, with early models producing roughly 240 horsepower.

The exterior design was more modern and aerodynamic, but still featured some classic Bentley cues such as an upright grille and round headlamps. The interior was handcrafted with luxurious leather upholstery, walnut veneers, and a range of bespoke customisation options, with advanced sound and temperature control systems.

1994–1995 Bentley Continental S

The 1994-1995 Bentley Continental S was a performance-oriented version of the 1984 Continental, with a turbocharged 6.75-liter V8. The design was adapted with sportier elements, like an aggressive front air dam and unique wheels, but it retained its refined interior. The 1984–1995 Continental series bridged the gap between classic and modern Bentley eras, maintaining the high-quality craftsmanship of old, integrating modern performance and design features, and paving the way for the next generation of high-performance Bentley models.

1955 Bentley Continental Model Range

1991-2003 Bentley Continental R

The Continental nameplate was revived in 1991 with the Continental R. The new Continental R had a sleek, aerodynamic body style, and was the first Bentley that was not derived from a Rolls-Royce design since 1965. The Continental R featured a 6.75-liter turbocharged V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The interior was luxurious, with high-quality leather, a wood veneer, and advanced electronics for the time.

1996-2002 Bentley Continental T

The 1996-2002 Bentley Continental T was a shorter-wheelbase, sportier version of the Continental R. The Continental T had an enhanced 6.75-liter V8 engine that produced 420 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. This allowed the Continental T to reach 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. The T had a more aggressive stance than the R, with flared wheel arches and wider wheels, but still maintained a refined, Bentley aesthetic. The interior remained luxurious, with features such as a turned aluminium dashboard and premium leather seats.

1998 Bentley Continental SC

1998–2000 Bentley Continental SC

The 1998–2000 Bentley Continental SC (Sedanca Coupé) was a special edition variant of the Continental T, with only 73 units made in total. The design featured a removable roof panel (Sedanca style), with a particular focus on luxury and a fusion of classic and modern styling elements like chrome and wood. It shared the same engine as the Continental T and had similar performance outputs.

1999-2002 Bentley Continental R Mulliner

The 1999-2002 Bentley Continental R Mulliner was a limited edition, performance-focused version of the Continental R, featuring a more powerful version of the turbocharged V8. This engine produced a whopping 420 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Mulliner offered stiffer suspension and wider wheels for improved handling, while maintaining a luxury ride. Only around 150 cars were made, making the Bentley Continental R Mulliner highly sought after by collectors.

The Bentley Continental R, T, SC, and Mulliner models ceased production in 2002, marking the end of an era. Bentley would soon shift to a more modern, mass-produced business model, with the introduction of the Continental GT in 2003. Today, pre-2002 models are revered for their handcrafted luxury, bespoke design, and powerful performance, and remain a highly popular and desirable classic car series.

Bentley Continental Tyre Fitment Guides

1963 Bentley Continental Tyre Fitment Guide by Dunlop

1965–1978 Bentley Continental Tyre Fitment Guide by Dunlop

1987 Bentley Continental Tyre Fitment Guide by Michelin

1992–2002 Bentley Continental Tyre Fitment Guide by Michelin & B.F Goodridge

1995 Bentley Continental Tyre Fitment Guide by Michelin