The Bentley Continental R coupe, which is considered a latter day successor to the previous iconic R type Bentley Continental of the early 50’s was originally launched at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show. Such was the perceived beauty and significance of this dedicated new style Bentley, that on unveiling to the strains of Elgar’s ‘Pomp and Circumstance’, the new car was greeted by an unprecedented round of spontaneous applause from the worlds motoring press.

Like the earlier Continental the later variant has efficient and beautiful coachwork shaped as a result of wind tunnel work. Combined with Heffernan and Greenley’s superb contemporary styling the Continental coupe has resulted in a car of tremendous presence, which is already thought to be one of the great classics of automotive legend.

The Continental is a true traditional and yet modern Grand Tourer, capable of maintaining high average speeds while cocooning four occupants and their luggage in quiet comfort. It is a car that rewards and exhilarates the driver without unnecessary physical effort: responsive and finely controlled in traffic, unmatched and magnificent on the open road.

Our car, a Continental S was built as a higher performance variant in a limited series from 1994 to 1995, and is 1 of only 18 made. The ‘S’ is fitted with a Cosworth built turbocharged and intercooled engine, controlled by a Zytek Formula One type engine management system, so providing greater efficiency, power and almost instant throttle response. In this guise producing 402 bhp and 616 lbft of torque, which could certainly be described as ‘adequate’.

This Continental S, with its beautifully-appointed Connelly hide, polished veneers and Wilton carpet interior, its supremely capable 6.75 litre V8 engine and its sophisticated suspension, with an excellent compromise between ride and handling, has the quality of long-striding power that distinguished its predecessors. From the outside, the laser-cut stainless steel matrix grille hints at the marque's lineage, giving the motor car's lines a purposeful edge. Inside, sports seats provide the support and comfort for spirited long-distance driving, while the detail refinements, inside and out, increase still further the pleasures of driving this rare and beautiful sporting motor car.

Without doubt a grand tourer par excellence, and considering that the production of a very small number of Continentals has now finished, to make way for the VW influenced Continental GT, this car is one of the last of the line of the exclusive hand built "Crewe Missile".