Skip to content
THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Bentley Continental Coupé Pininfarina

1954Coachwork by Pininfarina

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Bentley
Base model
R-Type Continental
Coachbuilt version
Pinin Farina Coupé — unique example
Coachbuilder
Pininfarina
Production period
1954
Body style
Coupé
Type
One-off

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Bentley Continental Coupé Pininfarina, unveiled at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, represents a unique fusion of British engineering and Italian design expertise. Built on a Bentley Continental chassis, this remarkable coupe showcases Pininfarina’s ability to infuse elegance and aerodynamic refinement into an already prestigious platform. One of the most distinctive elements of the design is the modified Bentley grille, which retains its classic identity but with a slightly sloping profile, lending the car a more dynamic and modern appearance. The headlights, semi-recessed into the mudguard link, add to the vehicle’s streamlined aesthetic, while the finely executed direction light fairing runs smoothly along the mudguard panel, subtly elongating the car’s silhouette. The roofline is gracefully rounded, contributing to the car’s sophisticated proportions. The wrap-around windscreen, mounted on rubber sections, enhances both visibility and aerodynamics, a feature that was advanced for its time. At the rear, the mudguards are squared off, with accentuated edges that contrast with the fluidity of the overall design, giving the car a balanced yet imposing stance. At the front, the bumpers feature two large, uniquely designed guards, adding a touch of boldness while maintaining the refined aesthetic expected from a Bentley. These details highlight Pininfarina’s meticulous attention to both form and function, ensuring that the Continental Coupé remained both visually striking and aerodynamically efficient. The Bentley Continental Coupé Pininfarina stands as a rare and exquisite interpretation of luxury grand touring, embodying the seamless blend of British craftsmanship and Italian styling. Though it remains a lesser-known chapter in Bentley’s storied history, it is a shining example of the era’s most sophisticated and exclusive automotive collaborations.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
One-off

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Pininfarina
Manufacturer · Documented
Bentley

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

36° Salone Internazionale dell'Automobile – Torino General · verified
Date
1954
Chassis
General

Knowledge event_record_key CI1-65492-EVT-5474

04 / INDIVIDUAL HISTORY

Chassis & provenance

Chassis BC49C
Chassis number
BC49C
Year
1954

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

No publishable archival references are currently catalogued for this vehicle.

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history1 dated records

THE CONVERSATION

Comments 0

Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.

Join the conversation