Bentley has moved from Le Mans racing triumphs to hand-built luxury coupes, and later to a high-riding SUV. The cars below show how the marque kept its performance credentials while changing its character several times over. Here are eleven models that follow the company through nine decades of ambition, crisis and recovery.
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1. Bentley 4½ Litre (1928): Le Mans Founder
The 4½ Litre won Le Mans in 1928, and Hagerty’s Bentley retrospective adds that a supercharged example is the car James Bond owns in the Casino Royale novel.
The car established the sporting image that Bentley has traded on ever since. Its literary link adds an extra layer of appeal for collectors of the pre-war cars. Prices for genuine pre-war cars are high, and condition varies widely, so buyers rely heavily on experts and history files.
2. Bentley Speed Six (1929): Four Wins In A Row
The 6½ Litre Speed Six won Le Mans with a 1-2-3-4 finish in 1929 and a 1-2 finish in 1930, Hagerty’s centenary article says.
Those results cemented the company’s reputation for durability as well as speed. The Speed Six remains the model most associated with the marque’s golden racing years. Surviving cars are prized by collectors, and the racing record gives the model a legitimacy that few other pre-war machines can match.
3. Bentley R-Type Continental (1952): Fastest Four-Seater
The R-Type Continental was a two-door Mulliner coupe of about 120 mph, called the fastest four-place car extant, per Hagerty’s Bentley history.
Its aerodynamic body and coachbuilt finish defined the grand touring idea after the war. The model still sets the template for the Continental name used on later coupes. Owners usually take such cars on long, calm journeys rather than short trips, which suits its character, and values reflect that appeal.
4. Bentley Turbo R (1985): Popular Turbo
The Turbo R was built 4,657 times from 1985 to 1997, making it the most popular Bentley of the 1980s and 90s, Hagerty records.
Pairing a heavy saloon body with strong acceleration revived the brand’s performance image. Its sales numbers made it a commercial mainstay during a period of uncertainty. Used examples are often seen as good-value routes into classic Bentley ownership, though running costs reflect the complexity of the car.
5. Bentley Continental R (1991): Continental Returns
The Continental R was built from 1991 to 2003, launched at $271,780 in 1992, and the Wikipedia page for the model counts 1,854 Continental R and T cars made.
As a large, low-volume coupe, it revived the grand touring role of its namesake. The high price kept it exclusive, which helps explain why survivors are valued today. Prices for good examples remain well below the cost when new, though they require specialist servicing to keep running properly.
6. Bentley Azure (1995): Open-Top Continental
The Azure was the convertible derivative of the Continental R, launched in 1995, according to the Continental R entry.
The drop-top body added open-air touring to the same powerful platform. It appealed to buyers who wanted the character of the coupe with a more relaxed feel. Those considering one should check the roof mechanism and hydraulics carefully, since open cars of this era can be costly to repair. Enthusiasts value it for the effortless pace and long-distance comfort that defined the big Bentley coupes of the decade.
7. Bentley Continental T (1996): Shorter And Faster
The Continental T was a short-wheelbase Continental, 4 inches shorter than the R, with 420 hp by 1998 and a 170-mph estimate, the Continental R article reports.
Trimming the length sharpened the handling and focused the car on driving. It is regarded as the most performance-minded version of that generation. Its rarity relative to the standard car and the extra power make it attractive to collectors seeking the sportiest version.
8. Bentley Continental SC (1999): Targa-Style Rarity
The Continental SC was a limited run of 79 with a removable roof panel over the front seats, per the Wikipedia article.
A semi-open roof gave it a distinct character within the range. Its tiny production figure makes it one of the scarcer cars from that period. Such small production numbers mean that parts and expertise are limited, so buyers should plan for specialist support. Its rarity makes it a talking point among Continental enthusiasts, who track the survivors closely.
9. Bentley Continental GT (2003): Company Savior
Bentley sold just over 100 old Continentals in 2003 and almost 7,000 GTs in 2004, a jump documented by Goodwood’s feature on rescue cars.
The turnaround shows how a single model can transform a manufacturer. The GT brought a far broader group of buyers to the brand and reshaped its finances. Used GTs are now common enough to be accessible, but maintenance can be expensive, so a documented history is worth paying for.
10. Bentley Mulsanne (2009): Longest-Running V8
More than 7,300 Mulsannes were built by hand at Crewe, and its 6.75-liter V8 served 61 years, the longest in continuous production, according to Hagerty’s farewell piece.
The engine’s long career gave the final Mulsanne a heritage few modern cars can claim. It marked the end of a very traditional approach to building a luxury saloon. Used Mulsannes offer a rare chance to own a traditionally built luxury car, though the heavy running costs deserve consideration.
11. Bentley Bentayga (2015): Quiet SUV
A 2019 Bentayga V8 measured 61 dBA at 70 mph in Car and Driver’s quietest-vehicles roundup, as the roundup coverage shows.
Low cabin noise matters to luxury buyers, and the result supports the SUV’s refined image. It also shows how far the brand extended its idea of comfort beyond its traditional saloons. For buyers, the number suggests that a large luxury SUV does not have to be harsh or tiring on a long trip, which many owners value.
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