Originally, it referred to a special chassis for engines more powerful than the usual offering, supplied to a selected number of coachbuilders for the fitting of very light-weight coachwork designed under Rolls-Royce supervision.

1930s to 1950s advertising for even the Standard Steel Bentley saloons carried the slogan the Silent Sports Car.

[citation needed] The Continental model was a lighter, faster, more nimble high-performance version, for high-speed travel in great comfort.

Following the break brought about by the Second World War, Bentley resumed production of civilian automobiles, relocating its plant from Derby to Crewe.

[3] These cars were derivatives of the Standard Steel R-Type, the second series in Bentley's postwar luxury lineup.