Bentley R Type Continental – Paris Mondial de l’Automobile 1952

Artist: Charles Avalon

A modern magic carpet: Paris’ Mondial de l’Automobile was the world’s first motor show, launched in 1898 by industry pioneer, Count de Dion. It is still one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. In Avalon’s stylised rendering, three elegant Bentley Continental ‘fastbacks’ are shown weaving their way through Paris’ most famous landmarks. Bentley’s Continental R-Type was the epitome of British luxury in the 1950s, earning accolades too numerous to list. Created specifically for continental Europe, the majority coachbuilt by H.J. Mulliner, this was the first appearance of the famed ‘Continental’ name.