Bentley creates one-off Continental GT Azure inspired by iconic 1953 grand tourer

MANILA: Bentley Motors produced a one-off Bentley Continental GT Azure inspired by its preserved unit of the classic R-Type Continental, JAS 949.

The new Continental GT was unveiled in celebration of the 70th birthday of the JAS 949, one of the significant style icons in Bentley's history. JAS 949 is one of only 208 R-Type Continentals produced, yet the model had a bigger influence than its limited production numbers would imply. The exquisite Bentleys, both old and new, were photographed at an equally stunning London landmark, the Battersea Power Station, which is itself a 21st-century remake of a 1950s icon.

When the R-Type Continental was introduced in 1952, it was the fastest four-seat luxury sedan in the world and was regarded as “a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances.” The inspiration for the first-generation Continental GT in 2003 and every succeeding Continental GT has come from the three main design lines of the car: the power line from the front wheel, the rear haunch, and the roofline. The newest Azure members of the Continental GT family, which are derived from the R-Type Continental, continue to exude elegance and timelessness while putting an emphasis on driver well-being.

The new Continental GT Azure was curated as a tribute to one of Bentley's 43-car Heritage Collection's most iconic vehicles using Mulliner's Personal Commissioning Guide. Housed in the recently opened Heritage Garage at Bentley's carbon-neutral site in Crewe, JAS 949 is the company's own R-Type Continental. JAS 949 was acquired by Bentley in 2001, and since then, it has been carefully preserved and maintained in good mechanical condition. The vehicle is frequently driven on public roads.

In December 1953, JAS 949 was delivered to its first owner, Dr. Rowland Guenin of Switzerland. It was ordered in Ivory with a Red interior and a manual transmission, which it still has today along with the original 4.6-liter engine.

A new Continental GT V8 Azure has been hand-painted in Old English White, an accurate reproduction of the vintage paint color that dates back to the 1950s, to replicate the closest specification for the modern interpretation of JAS 949. While JAS949 had 16-inch wheels, the new version has 22-inch hand-finished wheels with the same black and polished finish as the original Continental GT.

Cricket Ball leather is applied throughout the exquisite cabin, giving the occupants a cozy and rich heritage feel. Hand-applied Beluga leather piping adorns the seats to add contrast and sustain the cabin's design lines.

The Burr Walnut veneer has been left with open pores, giving it a more modern appearance and a texture that is more similar to the patinated finish in JAS 949. Open-pore veneer is painted with just three extremely thin layers of lacquer, which together have a combined thickness of just 0.1mm. The veneer is chosen from the best, most detailed material that is readily accessible. Bentley's High Gloss lacquer coating, in contrast, has a shiny, smooth surface and a 0.5mm thickness. Hand-applied layers are sanded in between to ensure that the lacquer adheres to the wood's natural grooves. The final finish resembles wax and beautifully accentuates the real, organic color and texture of the wood species.

Cross banding inlays are still available today, thanks to Bentley's renowned craftsmanship. The cross banding of the new Continental GT Azure combines Australian straight grain veneer with a boxwood inlay and is complemented with a Bentley Mulliner overlay in a rich gold, replicating the interior elements of JAS 949. The interior tread plates and fascia veneer have been applied as the final touches to complete the cabin's R-Type Continental design.

The new Continental GT Azure is designed to enhance the well-being and comfort of its passengers, making every trip pleasant no matter how long it is.

The foundation of comfortable and controlled driving is the seating, and all Bentley Azures come standard with the Front Seat Comfort Specification. This consists of an adjustable side bolster, an electric seatbelt adjustment, and comfortable headrests, as well as a massage function with six programmable settings that stimulates the regular micro-adjustments in muscle and posture that are important in preventing fatigue.

Bentley Dynamic Ride, a 48V active anti-roll control technology that improves ride comfort and reduces roll for smoother, more relaxing trips, is another key feature of the Continental GT Azure. The system protects the driver and passengers from excessive motion by electronically disconnecting the anti-roll bars when needed to soften the ride and delivering up to 1300Nm of anti-roll torque in 0.3 seconds while cornering.

Photos from Bentley Motors

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