In the mid-eighties, Bentley Motors sought to reinvent itself after languishing in the shadow of then corporate parent Rolls-Royce. To build on the success of the well-received 1985 Bentley Turbo R and further revive its sporting pedigree, the British automaker took inspiration from a beloved classic: the R-Type Continental of the 1950s. Following years of research and development, Bentley introduced the Continental R in March 1991. This large, hand-built coupe became one of the fastest and most expensive four-passenger cars in the world. Perhaps more importantly, it is credited with burnishing Bentley’s faded image and proving its relevance as a standalone brand—one that would eventually flourish again after disentangling from Rolls-Royce under ownership of the Volkswagen Group starting in 1998.

Among the several variations produced during the coupe’s 12-year run was the Continental R Mulliner, introduced in 1999 to answer requests for a car with more power and additional legroom. This variant combined the standard “Wide Body” R shell with the 420-horsepower, turbocharged engine of the short-wheelbase Continental T. It stretched seven inches longer than an extended-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class of the day and featured flared wheel arches, redesigned bumpers and door sills, a single large-diameter tailpipe, special badging, and steering 20 percent quicker than standard.

The 6.75-liter V-8 engine included a Garrett turbocharger with electronic transient boost control, while the chassis benefited from sophisticated front and rear double-wishbone suspension. Electro-hydraulic dampers offered automatic ride-height control with load compensation and their computer-controlled response rates were linked to the four-speed automatic transmission and quick-ratio steering. Fewer than 150 examples of the Continental R Mulliner “Wide-Body” are understood to have been produced from 1999 through 2003.

The car offered here was originally delivered through Bentley Downers Grove in suburban Chicago. It is finished in Black over Cotswold leather with black carpets and matching mouton overlays. Other notable features include wood inlays, chrome instrument bezels, drilled aluminum pedals, walnut gear shifter, and 18-inch chrome wheels.

Acquired by the consignor in 2021 with 13,413 miles showing on the odometer, the car has been driven fewer than 3,000 miles since and is accompanied by a pair of Bentley umbrellas and factory books in a leather case.