Not many people know about some of the rarest, hidden, and/or lesser-known models that have been released by the iconic British automaker.
It’s difficult to think of a car brand as storied as Bentley. They’ve been around for nearly a hundred years now, and the Bentley badge is so instantly recognizable that you can spot it from yards away.
The brand has its roots dating back to 1919 when W. O. Bentley and his son Walter began building their first automobiles. From there, the brand has gone on to build some of the world’s most exclusive and expensive vehicles. From their pre-war models to their modern-day offerings, the Bentleys have been the kings of the luxury car world. However, not many people know about some of the rarest, hidden, and/or lesser-known models that have been released by the iconic British automaker.
Let’s take a look at 8 rare Bentley models you probably never heard of.
The Bentley Continental 24, a super-sports car based on the Supersports model, is available in St. James Red over Black Crystal. There is a monochromatic paint scheme available at no additional cost. It features massive 21-inch wheels, red accents, and a carbon-fiber door mirror cover. Carbon fiber extends into the interior, including the door panels and treadplates. The carbon fiber exterior also features a diamond-quilted seat with embroidered 'Continental 24' on the headrest.
The new Continental is undergoing final testing and is slated for a September unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Bentley has introduced a special edition version called the Continental 24 that celebrates the company's return to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. This model is the most advanced Bentley ever built and is limited to only 24 units. The Bentley Continental 24 is the company's fastest model to date. Moreover, the car is equipped with motorsport themes throughout. This is one of the few Bentley models with options.
As with the Continental Supersports, the Bentley Continental is powered by the same 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine. It develops 700 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque. The car's eight-speed automatic transmission transfers power to all four wheels. The Continental 24 is estimated to hit 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds. The car weighs 6,063 pounds. It costs around EUR250,000, which is $280,000.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bonhams
If you are a true car enthusiast, you'll surely have come across Bentley's legendary Turbo RT, a high-performance sporting saloon that only four were built. With an odometer reading of 71,361 miles, this model is one of the rarest Bentleys ever made. The Turbo RT's turbocharged 6.75-liter V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission give this car an impressive 400bhp. However, this car is no driver's choice.
While there are only a dozen examples of the Turbo RT Mulliner in the United States, the model is particularly impressive due to its color combination. The Mulliner RT is offered in white, silver, black, and metallic green, with a slightly less attractive interior. While the Turbo R represents a significant evolution of the Bentley brand, the Mulliner represents the pinnacle of luxury. While it has a redesigned body and interior, it's still incredibly understated, allowing the owner to enjoy the luxury of a Bentley without the hefty price tag.
There were only 56 Mulliner editions built, with seven being right-hand-drive and the rest on standard wheelbases. The Bentley Azure Mulliner Wide Body is another one-of-a-kind model, with a sticker price of $416,000! It was available in Mulliner Wide Body Specification from 1999 to 2002 and was very rare. These rare Bentleys were limited in production and are therefore extremely valuable.
If you are looking for a supercar or SUV, you should consider checking out the Bentley Dominator. This SUV was the first Bentley to be sold to the public. This SUV sold for more than $4.6 million, and it is believed that the Sultan of Brunei purchased a pair for himself. It was so rare that only six of these cars were built. It was the Sultan's favorite car, but the price tag was still astronomical.
If you're a Bentley fan, you've probably heard of the Mulsanne Grand Limousine. It is the smallest and most imposing model produced by the automaker. It was built in 2015 and will be on sale in 2021. This particular Bentley was built in the UAE but never registered or used. The car's 6.75L V8 engine makes 505 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque.
RELATED: Top 10 Most Expensive SUVs (as of 2021)
One of the most famous cars in history was the four-liter Bentley 'Embirico' Special. The car was one of the fastest saloons in Britain before the Second World War. It was sold to HSF Hay in 1948 and went on to compete in three post-war Le Mans 24 Hour races. It was originally painted blue but later restored to its gun-metal silver color. Despite its age, the Embiricos was ahead of its time and inspired Bentley to create its R Type Continental, which was introduced in 1952.
The 4 1/4-liter Bentley 'Embirickos' Special was a one-off vehicle, which inspired the company to develop more sleek designs. The sleek, aerodynamic Mark V prototype was created by Ivan Evernden and Paulin. This car was destroyed in the bombing of Dieppe, France, during WWII. Its styling inspired the 1952 R-Type Continental.
If you're a fan of rare cars, you've probably never heard of the Bentley Hunaudières. This car was a concept vehicle built in 1994 by H.J. Mulliner and introduced by the Sultan of Brunei. While the design was eventually scrapped, the Hunaudières' name lived on and was given to another new acquisition - Bugatti.
The most famous Hunaudières was built for the British Royal Family. Other ultra-rare Bentley models have hidden away in secret private collections, not seen in public for decades. Even though they represent some of the finest craftsmanship in the history of Bentley vehicles, you've probably never heard of them. These models are not for the faint of heart. If you've ever wanted to own a Bentley, this is the model for you!
The Continental GT is available in a variety of paint options. Viridian is a dark spring green that was previously available only on the GT Number 9 Edition. You can choose the color of your Bentley by using the configurator, but note that this particular color isn't available in all markets. If you're interested in this particular color, make sure to contact Bentley San Francisco. You can customize much more than just the paint, with options for veneer, hide, and more.
RELATED: 7 Thrilling Bentley Concept Cars
The Bentley Java was a concept car that first debuted at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. It was a concept car for a new type of luxury vehicle and was ordered by the Sultan of Brunei. Only 18 units of the Bentley Java were produced. The Sultan and his family are believed to have purchased all 18 Bentley Javas. The Java was designed by the Rolls-Royce head of design, Graham Hull, and Roy Axe of Design Research Associates. The car had twin round headlamps, which were a first for a Bentley car.
Though initially designed as a show car, the Bentley Java was never sold into production. The Sultan of Brunei ordered 18 vehicles in three body styles. After seeing the concept car, Vickers introduced the Jaguar as a possible future product. The Jaguar concept car was inspired by the Java concept's decadent interior trim design and sat on a BMW E34 platform. The car cost $150,000 and was produced in limited numbers.
If you're into classic cars, you've probably heard of the iconic Bentley Continental. However, did you know that the Buccaneer is one of the most unique Bentley models ever made? While the Buccaneer's name may sound out of place to you, the car was designed for the British Royal Family. Listed below are eight other Bentley models you probably haven't heard of, and why they're so special.
The Bacalar is one of the rarest Bentley models. It's a two-seat open-air performance car that takes inspiration from the EXP 100 GT. Moreover, the Bacalar's rear track is 200mm wider than the Continental GT. The Bacalar also comes with a unique quilt design, with 148,199 stitches.
If you're looking for a car that looks more like a sports car, you've come to the right place. The Buccaneer is a classic GT coupe, and it shares a 6.2-liter engine with the Turbo R from the same era. Despite its unique looks, this car is surprisingly rare and has never been sold from the Sultan's private collection.
The Mulliner Mulsanne Grand Limousine is bespoke, and the only five units produced were ordered bespoke in 2015. These units have never been registered and have been on display at the Mulliner dealership in New York since they were completed in 2015. Its interior is inspired by the luxury of private aviation and features electro-chromatic glass that changes from clear to opaque. It also features a personal intercom and two rear-facing seats that are perfect for conversation with your travel companions.
Mulliner has made the Mulsanne so exclusive that the Bentley brand will no longer sell it in its traditional showrooms. As a result, the Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine is becoming rarer, with only five units ever being built. The company has also hinted that its flagship line won't be a sedan until 2025 and that it will be more coach-built specials instead.
Related: The 8 Most Expensive Bentleys (as of 2022)
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Volkswagen |
Germany |
| #2 |  Toyota |
Japan |
| #3 |  Stellantis |
Netherlands |
| #4 |  Mercedes-Benz Group |
Germany |
| #5 |  Ford Motor |
United States |
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Michelin |
France |
| #2 |  Bridgestone |
Japan |
| #3 |  Continental |
Germany |
| #4 |  Goodyear |
United States |
| #5 |  Sumitomo |
Japan |
