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
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 1 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
No publishable archival references are currently catalogued for this vehicle.











THE CONVERSATION
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