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Bentley Cresta MK IV Coupé

The The Bentley Cresta IV Pininfarina.

Vehicle Overview

The Bentley Cresta IV represents a fascinating chapter in automotive history, characterized by a blend of Italian elegance and British craftsmanship. Initially, the first two or three Bentley Crestas were meticulously built in Italy by the esteemed design house Pininfarina. These early models were distinguished by their prominent, wide-mouth grilles, a striking departure from the traditional Bentley aesthetic. However, the subsequent Cresta models underwent a transformation. The remaining bodies were crafted by Facel’s coachworks, a French company renowned for its high-quality coachbuilding. At the behest of Bentley’s home base in Crewe, these later models featured a more traditional and recognizable Bentley grille shape, seamlessly integrated into the body. This subtle yet significant design shift ensured that the Cresta retained its Bentley identity while embracing the elegance of Italian design. Bentley maintained a keen interest in the project, carefully overseeing its development. This collaboration foreshadowed the works-backed Mulliner fastback that would follow a few years later. For their part, Bentley provided bare chassis for the Cresta IV, making specific modifications such as a lower-rake steering column and other minor accommodations to suit this semi-official project. This partnership between Bentley, Pininfarina, and Facel showcased a harmonious blend of expertise from different automotive cultures. Between 1948 and 1952, Facel and Pininfarina produced a mere 12 or 13 Bentley Cresta IV models. Despite this limited production run, the car’s influence on automotive design and engineering was profound. The Bentley Cresta IV not only embodied the elegance and sophistication of post-war automotive design but also served as a precursor to future Bentley models that would combine the best of British and continental design elements. The Bentley Cresta IV’s legacy lies in its ability to capture the spirit of an era and push the boundaries of design collaboration. It remains a testament to the visionary efforts of Bentley, Pininfarina, and Facel, whose combined expertise created a vehicle that, despite its rarity, left an indelible mark on the history of luxury automobiles.

Technical Specifications

Body

One off
Year

1950
Make

Bentley
Model

MK VI
Coachbuilder

Pininfarina
Length (mm)

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Width (mm)

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Height (mm)

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Units built

12 - 13
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Designer

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Model

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Cylinder Capacity

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Twelve Month Rate

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Date Of First Registration

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Year Of Manufacture

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CO2 Emissions

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Fuel Type

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Tax Status

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Transmission

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Colour

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Type Approval

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Wheel Plan

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Revenue Weight

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Tax Details

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Mot Details

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Taxed

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mot

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Make

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Registration

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Year Of Manufacture

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CO2 Missions

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Fuel Type

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Tax Status

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Colour

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Type Approval

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Wheel Plan

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Revenue Weight

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DESIGNER

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Bentley Cresta MK IV Coupé

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Bentley Cresta MK IV Coupé

Vehicle Overview

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