Bentley pays tribute to classic sedans

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Bentley’s T Series, the 40th Anniversary of their Turbo R and 20th Anniversary of the Flying Spur (aka the Continental Flying Spur) - models that all played an important part in the British carmaker’s post-War history.

To celebrate, Bentley has unveiled a trio of one-off cars that pay tribute to these historical sedans. Produced by Mulliner, the bespoke division of Bentley, and based on the MY25 Flying Spur, all three tributes took inspiration for their colours, trim and detailing from examples of the original cars that are in Bentley’s Heritage Collection.

1965 T Series - Flying Spur Azure

Launched in 1965, the Bentley T1 was mechanically identical to the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and almost physically identical, too, with only the grille and badging differing. The first Bentley built using monocoque construction, the T Series was powered by a 6.2-litre V8, matched to a three-speed automatic transmission, with fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes amongst its innovations.

Across two generations (‘T1’ and ‘T2’) and 15 years, 2,280 examples of the T Series sedan were built, along with a further 719 units of the closely-related Mulliner 2-door coupe and convertible. In late 2022, Bentley recovered the first production T Series – Chassis #SBH1001 – and restored it to add to their Heritage Collection.

The modern tribute to the T Series is based on the current Flying Spur Azure. This model’s High Performance Hybrid powertrain produces 500kW and around 750Nm from a 2.9-litre V6 and electric motor. Along with modern performance, all the modern features in the Azure, like Bentley Dynamic Ride suspension and Wellness seating with multiple massage functions, are unchanged for the one-off.

To replicate the T1 in the Bentley Heritage Collection, Mulliner repainted the Flying Spur Azure in Shell Grey metallic, with the same finish applied to the 22-inch alloy wheels. Existing chrome inserts in the Azure’s grille echo that of the T1, as does the chrome trim on the flanks.

Inside, Blue-Grey leather trim was colour-matched to the first production T1, complemented with Beluga leather on the secondary surfaces. Cross hatch detailing on the doorcards is carried over to the air vents, column stalks and switchgear. The Azure’s mood lighting and Naim sound system are unchanged, as is the ‘Bentley Rotating Display’ centre console that can be flipped from a touchscreen to a Burr Walnut panel that blends seamlessly with the rest of the dash.

1985 Turbo R – Flying Spur Speed

The model that sparked Bentley’s return as a performance brand, reviving memories of the ‘Blower Bentleys’ of old, the Turbo R took the 6.75-litre V8 from the Mulsanne sedan and added a Garrett T04 turbocharger to increase power from approximately 149kW to 222kW. Along with stiffer suspension and improved dynamics, this allowed the Turbo R to combine supercar-rivalling acceleration (0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds) with extreme comfort.

Between 1985 and 1994, 4,115 examples of the original Turbo R were built, plus 930 LWB variants, although the ‘New’ Turbo R, Turbo S and Turbo RT that followed ultimately took that total to more than 7,000 before the model was replaced by the Arnage in 1999. The Turbo R in the Heritage Collection is a 1991 model, finished in Brooklands Green with a yellow coachline, Magnolia leather interior trim with Spruce piping, and extensive Burr Walnut accents.

The tribute to the Turbo R uses the current Flying Spur Speed as a base. The Speed’s ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ powertrain produces a combined 574kW, with 0-100km/h acceleration of 3.5 seconds – half that of the original Turbo R. In addition, the Flying Spur Speed can travel up to 76km on purely electric power.

Mulliner’s Turbo R tribute started with a respray in remastered Brooklands Green paint, topped with a hand-painted Monaco Yellow coachline. The 22-inch wheels were given a grey finish with machined faces and self-levelling centre caps, while the Flying B bonnet emblem has a polished finish and includes subtle illumination at night.

As with the exterior, the interior fitout of the Flying Spur Speed reflects that of the Turbo R, with Linen (pale cream) leather as the main trim, accented with Cumbrian Green hide. Open Pore Dark Burr Walnut is applied more sparingly than on the Turbo R, with glossy Cumbrian Green Piano veneer filling much of the dash. Edged in chrome, this flows into the door caps, too. Signal Yellow detailing is added in the form of embroidery and piping on the seats, floormat edging and a six o’clock marker on the steering wheel.

2005 Continental Flying Spur W12 – Mulliner Flying Spur Speed

The first four-door model to be released following Volkswagen’s purchase of Bentley, the Continental Flying Spur was launched in 2005. Reviving a name first used on a four-door version of the S1 Continental in 1958, the modern Flying Spur was much the same as the Continental GT, including its 6.0-litre W12 engine and all-wheel drive, but in a larger, roomier four-door body.

Producing 410kW, the Continental Flying Spur was capable of speeds in excess of 320km/h, all while cosseting its occupants in premium comfort. The Continental Flying Spur in the Bentley Heritage Collection is the very first production example, built in May, 2005, finished in Cypress Green with a Saddle interior accented with Cognac leather and Burr Walnut.

With the 2005 Continental Flying Spur being such a recent model, changes between it and the current example – a Mulliner Flying Spur Speed – are more subtle than the other tributes, but the evolution over two decades can still be seen, particularly in the front-end styling and treatment of the interior.

While the Cypress Green exterior of the 2005 car was matched for the 2025 Speed, Mulliner chose a Dark Grey Satin finish for the 22-inch wheels, rather than bright metal. The carbon fibre sills and front spoiler are edged in Saddle to pick up on the interior colour theme.

Despite the name, Saddle looks more like Terracotta in the images presented, with this bold trim colour combined with Special Green accents - that are unique to this car - on the seats, dash, centre console, floor mats and steering wheel.

A two-tone treatment of the dash fascia combines matte Open Pore Dark Burr Walnut with gloss Burr Walnut, separated by a pinstripe in Cypress Green. This pinstripe lines up with the upper vane of the dash air vents, while the walnut trim extends to the rear doorcards.

These unique T Series, Turbo R and Continental Flying Spur tributes will be maintained in running condition and kept on site at Bentley’s facilities in Crewe when not on loan or in use for promotional duties.