Billed as “a modern magic carpet that annihilates long distances,” the R-Type Continental was the fastest four-seat luxury sedan in the world. when it was launched in 1952, and the JAS 949 is one of only 208 examples built at the time.
The JAS 949 was a special transformation towards an extremely aerodynamic coupé body, and which was worked on by Mulliner, commissioned by its first owner, Dr. Rowland Guenin of Switzerland, who received it in December 1953.
It was ordered in ivory with a red interior and manual gearbox, a specification it retains today along with the original 153hp 4.6-litre engine. Today this unit stands out in Bentley’s Heritage Garage alongside 42 other one-of-a-kind models.
The most striking thing about the JAS 949 was its clean, flowing and timelessly elegant exterior design., the work of period designer chief John Blatchley. It stands out for its three key lines that inspired the 2003 Continental GT and all its successors since: the front wheel power line, the rear end and the roof line.
To maintain the target weight, HJ Mulliner coachbuilders designed the body, window frames, windscreen surround, backlight, seat sills and bumpers in aluminium.
As a way of honoring the 70 years of such a beautiful model, Bentley Motors has hand-built a one-of-a-kind Continental GT Azure inspired by the iconic R-Type Continental JAS 949.
To recreate the closest specification, the new Continental GT V8 Azure was used, which was painted in Old English White. It’s equipped with bright chrome and mounts 22″ wheels hand finished in polished black like the original (which were 16″).
The cabin is upholstered in Cricket Ball leather, in a color of the leather of the JAS 949. To provide contrast and preserve the design lines of the cabin, it features Beluga leather applied piping.
The wood veneer has been left with the betas open, providing a texture closer to the patinated finish on JAS 949. It is painted with just three ultra-thin coats of lacquer, to achieve a wax-like finish and bring out the grain of the wood.
What does not change is the mechanical part, since it maintains the 4-liter V8 TSI engine with twin turbo, which delivers 542 Hp of power and is managed by an 8-speed ZF transmission that sends torque to all four wheels. A stark contrast to the R-Type Continental’s aspirated 4.6-litre 6-cylinder, which in the case of the JAS 949 made 153hp, mated to a four-speed gearbox and was rear-wheel drive.
ANDhis tribute unit is a one-off designed and developed by Mulliner, which will join Bentley’s UK press fleet.
