Bentley R Type 1954–1955 car dimensions: 5080 mm long, 1778 mm wide and 1630 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,650 kg.
The cabin seats four in fine leather with wood veneer dash and door trims. A heater is fitted as standard. Some cars have a power-operated hood. The layout is simple with gauges and controls for open-top touring in comfort.
The drophead has a bustle boot that holds luggage for touring. Space suits bags for four on longer trips.
The cabin uses high-quality Connolly leather on the seats and door linings with rich walnut wood veneers on the dashboard and door tops. Thick Wilton carpets cover the floor. It seats four adults with good rear legroom and headroom. Many examples have a power-operated soft top for open-air driving. Some cars include power front windows. The overall feel is refined and spacious for long-distance travel.
Petrol 4.6-litre or 4.9-litre straight-six with twin SU carburettors
Servo-assisted drum brakes all round, hydraulic front and mechanical rear
Independent coil-spring front suspension with leaf-sprung live rear axle
Four-speed manual standard, four-speed automatic optional
The car runs on petrol through a durable iron-block aluminium-head straight-six engine of 4.6 litres, enlarged to 4.9 litres on later examples. Twin SU carburettors feed it. A tested saloon version returned 15.5 miles per imperial gallon.
Servicing focuses on regular checks of the hydro-mechanical brakes, adjustable rear dampers and suspension rubbers. The engine handles high mileages when maintained properly. Brake fluid access requires removing the driver’s seat squab.
Safety equipment centres on the servo-assisted drum brakes that deliver strong stopping power when adjusted correctly. The independent front suspension and overall chassis design support stable high-speed running. No formal crash-test ratings exist for this era.
Keeping the car means watching for body rust in sills and wings on steel sections while coachbuilt aluminium bodies need careful care. Leather and wood require feeding and protection from wear. Specialist attention keeps the power hood and mechanicals reliable for continued use.
Length 5080 mm, Width 1778 mm, Height 1630 mm, Wheelbase 3048 mm (R Type 1954–1955)
Sources: manufacturer data, drom.ru/carsweek.ru/mbib.ru/Wikipedia/handbook.