Bentley Motors is celebrating the 70th anniversary of one of its most influential models, the R-Type Continental. Back in the early 50s, the Bentley R-Type Continental was the fastest four-seat sedan offering jet-age performance with ocean liner luxury. In honor of the R-Type Continental’s 70th anniversary, Bentley unveiled a one-off special edition vehicle dubbed the Continental GT Azure.
The Bentley Continental GT Azure is based on a specific 1953 R-Type Continental ordered by Dr. Rowland Guenin of Switzerland. Dr. Guenin ordered one of only 208 R-Types built in Ivory White. The master artisans at Mulliner oversaw the development of the GT Azure using Dr. Guenin’s specification as direct inspiration.
The Continental GT Azure sports an Old English White exterior paint, a close match to the Ivory White, with chrome brightwork. Inside, the GT Azure comes dressed in Cricket Ball leather with contrasting Belgua leather piping. The Burr Walnut trim received an open pore finish to resemble the finish of its 70-year-old predecessor. In addition to a set of bespoke 22-inch wheels.
In 1953, the Bentley R-Type Continental featured a 4.6-liter inline six engine producing 153 horsepower. The Continental GT Azure bumps up the power with a 4.0-liter V8 generating 542 hp to supply its four-wheel drive system. We expect to see the 2023 Bentley Continental GT Azure online as the one-off car will go into service as part of the brand’s UK press fleet.
In other automotive news, see the BMW Alpina B5 GT Limited Edition.
