Bentley Continental

==1952 to 1965==
[[File:Bentley 'Embiricos' Pourtout - Concours d'Elégance Bagatelle.jpg|thumb|1938 'Embiricos' Bentley by [[Carrosserie Pourtout|Pourtout]] of Paris, a prototype Bentley Continental<ref>Martin Bennett, John Blatchley ''Bentley Continental: Corniche & Azure 1951-2002''. Martin Bennett, 2010</ref>]]
Following the break brought about by the [[Second World War]], Bentley resumed production of civilian automobiles, relocating its plant from [[Derby]] to [[Crewe]]. There, Bentley engineers produced [[Bentley R Type#Continental|R-Type Continentals]] for three years, from June 1952 to April 1955.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.bentleymotors.com/distinguished_heritage/history/1950__1959/|publisher=Bentley Motors|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> These cars were derivatives of the Standard Steel R-Type, the second series in Bentley's postwar luxury lineup.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

The R-Type Continental's chassis was specially built incorporating special components, including a high-performance engine, and fitted with very special light-weight bodies designed and built under the close supervision of Rolls-Royce. One of the world's most expensive automobiles,<ref>{{cite web|title=1954 Bentley R Type news, pictures, and information|url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11084/Bentley-R-Type.aspx|publisher=conceptcarz.com|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> only about 208 R-Type Continentals were built in total. In 2015, a 1952 R-Type Continental, in unrestored condition, sold for over US$1 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pursuingwo.com/20150502-rare-bentley-r-type-continental-brings-big-dollars-at-auction/ | title=Rare Bentley Brings Big Dollars At Auction | publisher=Pursuing W.O. | access-date=2 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518213816/http://pursuingwo.com/20150502-rare-bentley-r-type-continental-brings-big-dollars-at-auction/ | archive-date=18 May 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the R-Type Continental, the Continental [[Bentley S1|S1]] (1955–1959), [[Bentley S2|S2]] (1959–1962), and [[Bentley S3|S3]] (1962–1965) were delivered, beginning in March 1955. The first S1 was well received, and 49 were built.<ref>Classic Cars, May 2010, page 114</ref><ref>Motorist´s Compendium and Driver´s Almanack, Dec 1959</ref><!-- The deficiency was addressed on later vehicles, such as the [[Bentley S1]]. what deficiency was that?--> The S2 was delivered from July 1959, and it debuted with a new L Series V-8 engine.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}. It also incorporated previously optional amenities, such as air conditioning and power steering. The S3, delivered from September 1962, was distinguishable principally by having four headlamps instead of two in the front wings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bentley history: Cricklewood, then Derby and for the last 60 years at Crewe|url=http://www.bentleymedia.com/release-207.htm|publisher=Bentley Media|access-date=20 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515154844/http://www.bentleymedia.com/release-207.htm|archive-date=15 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This series of the Continental ended with deliveries in November 1965, after the September 1965 introduction of the unitary construction [[Bentley T-series|T-series]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bentley Continental|url=http://wikicars.org/en/Bentley_Continental_T|publisher=Wikicar|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>

===Production timeline===
Grand Touring cars:
* 1952–1955 [[Bentley R Type#Continental|Bentley R-Type Continental]]
* 1955–1959 [[Bentley S1|Bentley S1 Continental]]
* 1959–1962 [[Bentley S2|Bentley S2 Continental]]
* 1962–1965 [[Bentley S3|Bentley S3 Continental]]

Production closed with the introduction of the unitary construction [[Bentley T-series]].

<gallery widths="210px" heights="175px" perrow="3">
Bentley S1 Continental in New Zealand in the 1960's.jpg|{{center|1953 R-Type by [[H. J. Mulliner & Co.]]}}
Bentley S1 RREC Annual Rally 2006 4846433986.jpg|{{center|1957 S1 by [[Park Ward]]}}
File:Bentley Continental S2 3157641144.jpg|{{center|Bentley Continental S2}}
SC06 1962 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur.jpg|{{center|1962 S3 saloon, Mulliner's ''Flying Spur''}}
</gallery>