Bentley Continental R 420, 2001
Bentley Continental I
Bentley Continental I•
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Chassis No.: SCBZB25E71CX63525
Auction: Indy 2021
Auction date: May 22, 2021
Lot No.: S178
$126,500 | Sold
- Exterior: Beluga
- Interior: Beluga
- 14,273 miles
- No. 16 of 18 R 420s produced
- Turbocharged 6.75L/420 HP V-8 engine, the highest horsepower rating for the Continental series at the time
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- Pushbutton start with Red button
- Widebody quarter panels with 18 inch wheels
- Unique treadplate logos
- Chromed wheels
- Continental T dashboard
- Cellular telephone, CD stereo
- Twin umbrellas
- Red brake calipers
- Unique aluminum shift knob
Perhaps it’s something to do with muscle memory. In 1952, the sublime Mulliner fastback R-type Continental set the pace in luxury, style and performance as the world’s fastest four-seater. And in 1991, with the rebirth of the new Continental R coupe, the winged B once more flexed its muscles and found its flight feathers worked. The Continental R, though using Rolls-Royce componentry, was most definitely just no hopped-up Rolls-Royce with a Bentley badge. The two-door coupe was leaner, lower, more muscular and, like the original Mulliner R-type coupe, possessed a far-lower drag co-efficient than its breeze-block stablemates.
Once again the Continental R took four-seat luxury to a new level with a 325 HP Garrett turbocharged version of the famed alloy 6.75L V-8 powering it to 145 MPH. Yet, in terms of what the Continental R could grow to, it was still a fledgling. It was Mulliner that brought its potential to fruition in 2001 with the frankly awesome Continental R420, with the flared-wheel arch widebody and suspension tuning among the Mulliner specifications, which included a 420 HP version of the 6.75L V-8, the most powerful version of its time and resulting in an estimated top speed approaching 170 MPH and 0-60 MPH in 5.6 seconds.
Naturally, brakes were uprated, and the R420 also features all the earlier updates and enhancements including the upgraded engine management system. The sporting flavor continues to the bespoke interior which has nearly as many dials as a Rolex store, but something else you’ll find in no jeweller’s. The aluminium “420” gear knob is one of many unique features of the Continental R420. Indeed each of the 18 R420s built in 2001, and for that one year only, were individual commissions with a starting price of $328,000 before options. Even in this rarefied company, this example, No. 16 of the 18 built, stands out for its very modest 14,273 mileage.
Another thing to note is that the Sultan of Brunei was so impressed by the Continental R’s reveal at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show he bought the show car for over £2 million. This 2001 Continental R420 is much more of a car than that.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/462474/2001-bentley-continental-r-420/
