Bentley
Continental Sports Saloon
Christian Hueber and David Sulzberger

Fifty years ago, the Bentley Continental Sports Saloon was launched to transport discerning motorists across Europe in high-speed comfort. It was the fastest and most expensive four-seat car in the world, with a list of owners that read like a Who’s Who of the 1950s. Today, the venerable age of this car is hard to believe, as the clean aerodynamic shape looks many years younger. Yet, half a century is a significant anniversary and a most appropriate time to summarise our ongoing research and publish this tribute to the Continental.

Our efforts started more than 10 years ago. In 1978, the late Stanley Sedgwick, Patron of the Bentley Drivers Club, compiled and published an excellent, but brief, monograph and owners register called the Bentley ‘R’ Type Continental. Christian Hueber, owner of BC-65-C, began to update this work in 1992 with Stanley Sedgwick’s help and approval. Stanley graciously provided copies of his earlier research and most importantly arranged a number of personal introductions. These resulted in many important resources becoming accessible. David Sulzberger, who owns BC-3-B, joined the project in 1994 and contributed his extensive archives.


Sedgwicks 1978 Book
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The original goal had been to update Sedgwick’s 1978 work. However, the sheer volume of new information, including original factory records, coachbuilders drawings and photographs, carried this project far beyond the initial concept. Tracing the existence and ownership of all 208 Continentals has been a massive project. We have now accounted for nearly all the cars, 204 to be exact. Our resulting books, The Continental Sports Saloon and the Continental Register contain the most comprehensive history, to date, of the origins, design, development, testing and production of these cars.

All the Continentals have been individually researched in much greater detail than previously possible. The books also have one page dedicated to each car complete with its ownership history, unique chassis and coachwork specifications, and photographs.

In addition, we have compiled an important Folio of Coachbuilders Drawings that will be available exclusively with the Owners Edition. This includes a selection of the original Continental drawings from Bentley, H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Chapron, and Pinin Farina.

Continental Sports Saloon


New Continental Books
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The Continental Sports Saloon is a unique book about an exceptional car, comprising more than 400 pages, measuring 290mm x 240mm, It contains over 350 photographs, illustrations and drawings in colour and black and white, many never previously published.

This book is available in two limited editions:

Standard Edition:

 
Standard Edition
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Limited to just 150 copies, numbered 1-150, the book is bound in black buckram cloth, with gold foil blocking on the front and spine and is encased in a black buckram cloth slipcase.

Owners’ Edition:

Owners’ Edition Set
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Limited to just 208 copies, each with the chassis number corresponding to an original car. This edition is being prepared for the owners of the respective Continentals and has been reserved for them until the 31st of August 2003. The design of the book has been inspired by the Owners’ Handbook that originally came with each car, featuring a wrap-around cover and snap closure.


Coachbuilders Folio
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The Owners’ Edition will include the black buckram clothbound Folio of Coachbuilders Drawings, containing 20 facsimile copies of Continental coachbuilders drawings. This portfolio will not be available for sale separately. The set is completed with a copy of the Continental Register, the quick reference guide that lists the specification and details of each car.

Owners Buckram
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Owners Leather
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The Owners’ Edition of the Continental Sports Saloon is available in a choice of coverings, either in black buckram cloth or at an extra charge in black Morocco leather. Each book will have gold foil blocking on the front and spine. A replica Continental cylinder head tag stamped with the appropriate chassis number will be attached to the bookmark ribbon.


Solander Box with a Continental Chassis Plate
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Solander Box with the Owners’ Edition Set
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Further enhancing the Owners’ Edition, a superb drop back SOLANDER BOX is available at an extra charge. It is custom made by the Wyvern Bindery, in black buckram cloth, felt-lined and fitted to house the Continental Sports Saloon, the Folio of Coachbuilders Drawings and the Continental Register. This box will also have a replica Continental chassis plate, engraved with the appropriate chassis number, fixed to the front.

Continental Chassis Plate
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Continental Register


Register
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The Continental Register is a practical book in A5 size, comprising over 208 pages, with the full specifications and details of each Continental listed by chassis number. It replicates the information contained in the back half of the Continental Sports Saloon in a handy portable format. This invaluable quick reference guide also includes a number of notes pages for personal recordings. The book is softbound in black card with printed gold type on the front to mirror the Continental Sports Saloon. This book will be available for sale separately.

To Order:

The books are available exclusively from Palawan Press, the publisher. An illustrated and detailed brochure about the books has been printed and will be sent on request. Prices and availability of these limited edition books should be confirmed directly with Palawan. The books will be dispatched as soon as possible after the 20th of October 2003. Contact details for Palawan Press are as follows:


Palawan Press Limited
11 Royal Crescent Mews
London W11 4SY
England


Tel: +44-20-7371-3060
Fax: +44-20-7371-4080
Email: info@palawan.co.uk
Website: www.palawan.co.uk