Engine: 4.9-liter inline six (D series, 1955)
Horsepower: 178
Price New: $15,000
Value Now: $250,000-$350,000
Long before Aston Martins, BMWs and even a Saab 900, James Bond drove a Bentley. In fact, he'd owned three of them, the third (fictionally) being one of the 208 Continental R-types built in the early 1950s. Most were bodied by Mulliner, each was hand-built and their specs and details changed during their exclusive production run. But, along with the great Speed Sixes and 4.5-liter Blower models, Continental R's are considered the soul of Bentley. They are also without question the inspiration for today's Continental GT. In spite of their size, they were performance cars for moneyed-yet-sporting gentlemen; most had manual transmissions. A Continental R in good nick will still run a comfortable 90 miles per hour all day long.
Behind the Wheel:
You can rent one from luxury car rental outlets. Players Car Rental in Miami rents a Phantom for $3,500 a day.
Photo courtesy of Bentley
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