Bentley Continental Flying Spur Mascot

Lets take a look at what named a current new Bentley.



It definitely does make you think. Well yes, it is a Flying Spur.

'The original Flying Spur radiator mascot. HT Johnstone had it made made to go on the Flying Spur prototype. It was mounted on the radiator cap, with the Flying B removed.'

Arthur Johnstone worked at HJ Mulliner, the coachbuilder of the Flying Spur from 1947 until the mid 1960’s.

He wrote in response to Ian Dixon Potter's article on the Bentley “Flying Spur” Type Four Door Continental Sporting Saloons.

'I must correct that the Flying Spur emblem is named after the Mulliner family. When the S series started it was intended that the S type Continental should be only a 2 door model, as in fact the R Type Continental was. However HJ Mulliner wanted to build a 4 door model on the Continental chassis and HT Johnstone (HTJ) Managing Director of HJ Mulliner, persuaded Dr Llewellyn Smith (LS-known to his more intimate colleagues as ‘Doc’ Smith) to allow them to build a 4 door model on this chassis. HTJ wanted to give this model the name ‘Flying Spur’ which is well documented as the heraldic symbol of the Johnstone Clan in Scotland. The ‘Flying Spur’ was supposedly awarded to the Johnstone clan for their help in allowing Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape from the English on horseback. I have always thought that it was not really appropriate to use the family crest on a motor car – particularly now that the modern Flying Spur is actually built in Germany.'

History is interesting.

Bentley no longer makes Flying Spurs in Germany, but they did for a while to keep up with demand.

If you are interested in an original Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a couple have popped up on ebay last week and this, both by seller Fulham_bob.

A 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur item number 220099353769



And a 1962 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur 4 Light by HJ Mulliner item number 220101919295



Also a Bentley Spotting reader Jeff Jacobs from New York City sent in his newly delivered 2007 Bentley Continental Flying Spur.







The new one is the fastest four door production car in the world.

Pictures courtesy (Arthur Johnstone, fulham_bob, Jeff Jacobs)