In 1951 the Bentley Mark VI was revised and renamed the R-Type. This version featured an engine with a larger displacement and the standard-body sedan had a lengthened tail. Beginning in 1952 the car was offered with an optional Rolls-Royce/General Motors Hydra-Matic automatic transmission which instantly became more popular the the manual gearbox. Styling and mechanical changes parallel those made for the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. The R-Type had more luggage space than the Mark VI and could reach speeds of 100 mph.
There were 2320 Bentley R-Type cars produced.
The Bentley R-Type Continental was perhaps the most exciting Bentley of the post-war period. It was a dramatically styled, lightweight fastback coupe built on the R-Type chassis. Only 207 or 208 were produced, all two-door four-seaters, most with body work by H.J. Mulliner. Initially the Continental used the same engine as the R-Type, the Bentley 4566cc F6. A larger capacity engine, 4887cc, was used starting in early 1954. A true Grand Touring car with handling that belied its massive size and considerable weight, the R-Type Continental could easily reach speeds of 115 mph.
In Ian Fleming's books, James Bond had an even faster one, fitted with a Villiers supercharger (which negated the warranty).
