Notes for the All the 'R' Type Continentals Reports

This page shows explanatory notes for the "All the 'R' Types Continentals" tables.  Click on the links above to see the rest of the cars. 

Note 1. Chassis number  These are prefixed by the letters BC. They run consecutively, always omitting ''13'', in five series differentiated by the suffix letters - A, B, C, D or E. The letter L inserted before the series letter indicates left-hand drive.

Note 2. Present Owner Each owner listed is from the most current information available on that car at the time the website was updated. There are no cars still in the hands of their original owners.

Note 3. Country and Acquisition Date  The country listed is for the current location of each car, but not necessarily the country of registration or the nationality of the owner. Each country is identified by its International Driving Code letters. A complete list of the letters and their respective countries is available in the Driving Code Letters Report on this website. The acquisition date is that supplied by owners or other records.

Note 4. Registration Nos  The current registration number from any issuing country is given, when known, for each car. The separate Registration Numbers report on this website lists all known past and present registration numbers from all countries. These are cross-referenced to their respective chassis numbers. This report is designed to aid with the identification of cars in photographs where the registration is visible.

Note 5. Engine Number and Type  The original engine numbers are prefixed by three letters. They always start with BC and include the appropriate series letter, A, B, C, D, or E. Engine numbers run consecutively, including '13'. Thus the Chassis and Engine numbers match up to '12'; thereafter the Engine number is one less than the Chassis number. The standard Engine type is 4.5 litres (3 5/8 bore) for the A, B, and C series and 4.9 litres (3 ¾ bore) for the D and E series. A number of the 4.5 litre cars were later converted to 4.9 litres and each of these this is noted. A detailed list of the engine conversions and exchanges is provided in the Continental Engine Report on this website.

Note 6. Gearbox Manual; unless otherwise indicated right-hand drive cars have a right-hand floor mounted gear-change lever and left-hand drive cars have a steering-column mounted gear-change lever. Manual Central; indicates the optional floor mounted gear-change lever in the centre of the car. Automatic; indicates the optional automatic gearbox with a steering-column gear-selector lever.

Note 7. Coachwork, Body Type and Body No Lists the coachbuilder that bodied or substantially re-bodied each car, the current body type and the body number, where known.

Note 8. Original Colour and Trim is the paint and upholstery combination on each car when delivered to the original owner.

Note 9. Current Colour and Trim is the paint and upholstery combination at the time the Web-site was updated.

Note 10. Road Test Date and Weight  After completion all H.J. Mulliner and Park Ward bodied cars were given a comprehensive road test of approximately 100 miles by the R-R test driver, R. Broughton. As part of the test, the finished car was weighted at both the front and rear axle to check the balance of the car and the total weight was calculated. With the exception of the one Pinin Farina bodied car (49C), Continental chassis exported for overseas coachwork were not tested or weighted.

Note 11. Date Delivered and Selling Agent In the case of UK market cars the date is when the car was delivered to the selling agent or directly to the customer; for export market cars or chassis, the date is when the car was delivered to the shippers. The selling agent is the company or individual responsible for selling the car to the original owner.

Note 12. Previous Owners, Country and Date  Owners are listed chronological order. The country listed is the principle location of the car, but not necessarily the nationality of the owner. The date is that of acquisition.

Note 13. Miscellaneous Information is a list of optional features and variations from standard specification of both chassis and coachwork. Also indicated are Trials Cars (demonstrators) and Show Cars that appeared on stands at contemporary Motor Shows. Unusual history is briefly noted. Greater detail is contained in the Master Report for each car. These are available from the Continental Register. E-Mail CH@Continental.org.UK

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