Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Bentley Continental R Convertible by Pininfarina.
The Bentley Continental R Convertible, produced between 1993 and 1994, was a strictly limited series of twelve bespoke vehicles commissioned by the royal household of Brunei. Developed outside Bentley’s standard production line, this model remained a confidential project throughout its conception and delivery, with no official technical specifications released to the public. Internally designated during development as “CONTAN”—a code derived from “Continental R for Alfred Tan,” a key figure in the project—the model was later referred to under the production code “P100.” The vehicle was conceived as a convertible variant of the Bentley Continental R and is widely regarded as the conceptual predecessor to the Bentley Azure, which entered series production in 1995. The first five vehicles were fully constructed by Pininfarina Studi e Ricerche (PFRS) in Turin, encompassing both design and assembly. The remaining seven units were completed by Industrie Pininfarina (IPF), indicating a transition from prototyping to limited-series production under Pininfarina’s industrial division. All twelve vehicles were powered by the standard turbocharged V8 engine used in the Bentley Continental R of the period, configured without a catalytic converter. The cars were finished in various bespoke color combinations tailored to the client’s preferences, including black with black leather interiors, Jade green with black hides, and Frost with black hides. Each vehicle featured unique detailing and trim, though no uniform specification has been disclosed. The chassis numbers assigned to the Continental R Convertible series include the letter “K” in the fifth position, a code later reused for the production Bentley Azure beginning in 1995. The end serial numbers fall outside regular Bentley production sequences, confirming the model’s non-standard status. Chassis numbers range from SCBZK04D2PCH00101 to SCBZK04C4RCH00112. The Bentley Continental R Convertible remains an important reference point in Bentley’s modern design history, representing both the marque’s coachbuilt tradition and the origin of the Azure line, while its production and ownership details continue to be shielded from public record.
Chassis
Everyone has heard stories about the Sultan of Brunei’s immense and almost mythical car collection, but few details have ever been confirmed. Shrouded in secrecy, this legendary fleet of rare and bespoke automobiles has fascinated enthusiasts for decades. Recently, a handful of insider photos emerged online, offering a glimpse into the hidden treasure trove.
