Dynamic duo of classic Bentleys set to make their debut in concours judging at Salon Privé 2025.

Salon Privé, the UK’s most prestigious luxury automotive event, has confirmed that esteemed British manufacturer, Bentley, is entering a dynamic duo of Mulliner coachbuilt classics from its Heritage Collection into the highly anticipated 2025 Concours. This year is the first time that Salon Privé has opened the Concours up for manufacturers to directly enter the Concours judging.

Taking place in the grounds of Blenheim Palace on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th August, with a team of international world-renowned professional judges, the Salon Privé Concours by Aviva Private Clients will welcome a host of spectacular and super rare privately-owned classics from around the world.

Bentley Motors, the world’s leading manufacturer of luxury cars based in Cheshire, is entering not just one, but two of its rarest motors from its Heritage Collection – 1953 R Type Continental – JAS 949 and 1961 S2 Drophead Coupe – UFF 366.

Only 208 examples were built, but the R Type Continental had an impact beyond its limited numbers. The brainchild of Bentley’s Chief Projects Engineer, Ivan Evernden, and Chief Stylist, John Blatchley, it set a template that continues to inspire Bentley designers. Described in period by Autocar magazine as ‘a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances’ the R Type Continental was the fastest four-seat luxury saloon in the world.

    

The R Type Continental
Two pre-war coachbuilt specials, the ‘Embiricos’ Bentley and Corniche, had shown the advantages of improved aerodynamics. In the early 1950s, Ivan Evernden took inspiration from these one-off creations to create a sleek coupé based on the R Type Bentley saloon. The power of the 4,566cc, six-cylinder in-line engine was raised from 140 to 153bhp, and the transmission featured a higher final drive ratio. The prototype – OLG 490, nicknamed Olga – averaged 118.75 mph over five laps (with a best lap of just under 120mph) at the banked Montlhèry track near Paris.

Engineering challenges
To keep down to the target weight, coachbuilders HJ Mulliner crafted the bodywork, window frames, windscreen surround, backlight, seat frames and bumpers in aluminium. Even at a pared-down weight, tyre choice was critical; no standard road tyre existed which could carry a two-ton car at speeds in excess of 115mph, and Dunlop Medium Distance Track tyres were specified.

The R-Type Continental in production
The first production model was delivered to its owner in June 1952 and by the time production ended in 1955, 208 R Type Continentals had been made. Of these, 193 were bodied by HJ Mulliner.

JAS 949

The Bentley S2, which succeeded the first-generation S-Type, was hailed as one of the most luxurious and innovative saloons in the world at its launch in 1959. On this platform, Mulliner created the rarest version – the S2 Drophead Coupe, of which only 15 examples were built.

   

The S2
A number of advanced features in the S2 were state-of-the-art for the time. The sleek saloon was the first Bentley to utilise a lightweight aluminium V8 engine, replacing a six-cylinder unit from the S1 that dated back to the 1920s. Power steering, electrically-operated ride control and fully automatic transmission were standard, while the boost in engine output ensured dramatically improved and more flexible air conditioning, the ultimate luxury in 1959.The Bentley V8
In a post-war world, competition in the automotive industry was growing, with customers demanding more power, comfort and efficiency from their vehicles. Then Head of Engineering, Harry Grylls, tasked Lead Engine Designer, Jack Phillips, with building an engine which would fit under the current bonnet of the S-Type, but with a 50 percent increase in power and torque. Phillips responded by creating one of the most successful V8 engines in history. Fitted with a cross-plane crankshaft for smoothness, despite the extra cost, and machined from a silicon-aluminium alloy to reduce corrosion, despite being more difficult to machine, the new engine demonstrated Bentley’s commitment to delivering best-in-class motoring for its customers.The ground-breaking L Series engine proved so successful that it became the longest-serving V8 in the world, with eventual derivatives (retaining the same capacity and bore spacing) powering Bentley’s Mulsanne flagship until the end of production in 2020Mulliner’s “Drophead Coupe” and UFF 366
The ‘standard’ body for the S2 was designed by John Blatchley and built by Pressed Steel. Following in the tradition of Bentley’s body-on-frame construction, the S2 attracted the talents of coachbuilders H.J. Mulliner, who produced just 15 ‘Drophead Coupe’ bodies, including the example in Bentley’s Heritage Collection. UFF 366 was purchased from France 2022 in a poor state. A two-year restoration project started immediately, with the body returned to bare metal and a hand-of-drive conversion back to the original right-hand setup. She returned to the road in June 2024 resplendent in period-correct Ming Blue, with an interior in Fawn, before becoming Bentley’s first event non-judged entrant in the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance.

Andrew Bagley, Chairman of the Salon Privé Concours, said: “It will be an honour to welcome and judge these two stunning entries from Bentley for the first time at our 20th Anniversary Concours next month. Opening up entries directly to manufacturers has diversified the collection of cars that guests can expect to see on the lawns this year, and the range of entries is shaping up to be truly spectacular. We really believe that these rare and beautiful classics are an ideal fit for our 20th anniversary event.”

Alongside the Heritage Collection Concours entries, Bentley is planning to showcase three of its exceptional new cars within Salon Privé’s new Automotive Gallery across all five days of the 20th Anniversary event.

The exhilarating 650 PS Bentayga Speed, known for being the most powerful and dynamic Bentayga to date, will be on show, as will the Continental GTC Azure. With a new chrome vertical-vaned grille and harmony headlights, the Continental GTC features the new high powered hybrid powertrain and exudes refinement, before you even switch it on.

 

Bentley enthusiasts will also be able to get up close to the Bentley Batur Convertible – the latest coachbuilt creation to emerge from the studios of Bentley’s personal commissioning division – and one of just 16 produced. Exhilarating W12 power comes together with unmatched open-top glamour, for the latest in this exquisite series of limited series coachbuilt cars. The Batur will lead Salon Privé’s Daily Supercar Parade.

For details on how to enter your car into the Salon Privé Concours by Aviva Private Clients and to book tickets to attend, visit https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/