Bentley R Type

Bentley R Type
1953 R-Type standard steel sports saloon
Overview
ManufacturerBentley Motors Limited (1931)
Also calledBentley Mark VII
Production1952–1955
2,323 built
AssemblyUnited Kingdom: Crewe, England (Bentley Crewe)
Body and chassis
ClassLuxury car
Body styleStandard 4-door saloon; otherwise as arranged with coachbuilder by customer
Layoutfront engine, rear-wheel drive
RelatedRolls-Royce Silver Dawn
Powertrain
Engine4.6 L IOE straight-6
130 hp (97 kW)(estimate)
Transmission4-speed manual
4-speed automatic (optional)
Dimensions
Wheelbase120 in (3,048 mm)
Length200 in (5,080 mm)
Width69 in (1,753 mm)
Height64.5 in (1,638 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorMark VI
SuccessorS1

The Bentley R Type is the second series of post-war Bentley automobiles, produced from 1952 to 1955 as the successor the Mark VI. Essentially a larger-boot version of the Mk VI, the R type is regarded by some as a stop-gap before the introduction of the S series cars in 1955. As with its predecessor, a standard body was available as well as coachbuilt versions by firms including H. J. Mulliner & Co., Park Ward, Harold Radford, Freestone and Webb, Carrosserie Worblaufen and others.