Head to head
Bentley R Type vs Bentley S3
The Bentley R Type is a 1950s luxury saloon, later basis of the r type continental. The Bentley S3 is a v8 luxury saloon built between 1962 and 1965.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Specifications side by side
| Bentley R Type | Bentley S3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4.6 litre straight-6 | 6,230cc V8, pushrod overhead valves |
| Power | 130hp (est.) | 215hp at 4,000rpm |
| Top speed | 101.7mph (1953 test car) | 115mph |
| Production | 1952-1955, 2,323 built | - |
| Body | 4-door saloon or coachbuilt (H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Freestone & Webb) | - |
| Years produced | - | 1962-1965 |
| Body styles | - | 4-door saloon, 2-door coupe, 2-door drophead coupe |
Sources: Bentley R Type, Bentley S3. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the R Type if...
A 1950s Bentley saloon kept today as a collector's classic rather than a daily driver. Coachbuilt examples with bodies by houses like H.J. Mulliner command the most interest and are typically kept in specialist covered storage.
Listed by
- Kent Vehicle Storage - Edenbridge
Buy or hire the S3 if...
The last of Bentley's separate-chassis S-series saloons, and the first Bentley with a V8 engine. Wedding and chauffeur hire firms use it for its formal, old-money look rather than performance.
Listed by
Common questions
What is the difference between the Bentley R Type and the Bentley S3?
The Bentley R Type is a 1950s luxury saloon, later basis of the R Type Continental; the Bentley S3 is a v8 luxury saloon built between 1962 and 1965.
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