1954 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel Saloon

A 1954 Bentley R-Type Standard Steel Saloon arriving at and leaving Kobeissi Properties' Cars & Coffee. This right-hand drive example is one of around 2,320 R-Types built from 1952 to 1955.

For most traditional shoppers, heritage is an important factor of defining a proper luxury brand. One look at just about any vintage Bentley will leave you no doubt that the company has a history as rich as most of its clients. The R-Type may not appear as lavish as the S1 that came after it, but it, along with its Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn counterpart, was a crucial step in helping the British automakers reestablish themselves after the War. Bentley and Rolls-Royce now build distinct models under different ownership, and Bentley's recent attempt at shaping its future with a new concept vehicle has drawn much criticism, largely because the concept's design simply had nothing "Bentley" about it. Perhaps it's trying to reach out to a fresh new audience that knows (and cares) little about its past. But doing so will certainly alienate those who have known, loved, and bought from it for decades. If heritage really matters, then perhaps Bentley should consider whether its products will still be desired, driven, and appreciated over half a century later. After all, it accomplished that goal 70 years ago and did so while recovering from a big war, so it can certainly do it again.

Do you think modern Bentleys will age as well as this R-Type? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!