LOT 80
1998 Bentley Continental R Coupé Registration no. to be advised Chassis no. SCBZB26C0WCH63129
Sold for £79,900 inc. premium
Lot 80
1998 Bentley Continental R Coupé Registration no. to be advised Chassis no. SCBZB26C0WCH63129
1998 Bentley Continental R Coupé
Registration no. to be advised
Chassis no. SCBZB26C0WCH63129
Registration no. to be advised
Chassis no. SCBZB26C0WCH63129
• Built with Continental T engine
• Wolf in sheep's clothing
• Originally a Jack Barclay demonstrator
• Only one private owner
• Circa 21,000 miles from new
• Full Bentley service history
• Wolf in sheep's clothing
• Originally a Jack Barclay demonstrator
• Only one private owner
• Circa 21,000 miles from new
• Full Bentley service history
Footnotes
By the end of the 1970s, Bentleys accounted for a mere 3% of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' production, clearly a situation that could not be tolerated if the once-famous marque was to avoid extinction. The solution was to seek to re-establish Bentley's credentials as the purveyor of high-performance luxury cars, and in a move calculated to evoke memories of the company's glorious past achievements at Le Mans, the name 'Mulsanne' was chosen for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit's counterpart. This strategy would succeed brilliantly. Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1982, the Mulsanne Turbo provoked a rash of headlines in the motoring press hailing the return of the 'Blower Bentley' - the 'Silent Sports Car' was back.
Bentley's 1980s resurgence had hitherto relied exclusively on models whose basic architecture was shared with other Rolls-Royce products, but on display at Geneva in '85 was 'Project 90', a mocked-up coupé intended to gauge public response to the idea of a high-performance car unique to Bentley. When the real thing - the Bentley Continental R - was unveiled six years later, the waiting crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Styled with the assistance of consultants International Automotive Design, the Continental R benefited from computer-aided design and wind tunnel testing in the devising of its sleekly streamlined shape. Despite the need to incorporate non-traditional features such as doors recessed into the roof, the result looked every bit a Bentley, albeit one restated for the 1990s. Also new was the gearbox, a four-speed automatic with an 'overdrive' top ratio, but the main focus of interest was the newcomer's performance. Needless to say, this was outstanding, the combination of the 385bhp Turbo R engine in the new wind-cheating shape cutting the 0-60mph time to 6.1 seconds and boosting top speed to 151mph.
There was even more to come in the form of the Continental T. Introduced in June 1996, the latter was a short-wheelbase version of the Continental R, some 4" being taken out of the chassis aft of the doors. With 420bhp at its disposal and crouching aggressively on 18" wheels, the low-slung Continental T looked every inch the thoroughbred Bentley sports car. Despite weighing as much as two Ford Mondeo 1.8s, the luxuriously appointed Continental T was certainly no slouch, racing to 60mph in a tyre-shredding 5.8 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 170mph.
This Continental R is believed to be the only one built in 1998 with the more powerful Continental T engine, as confirmed by the accompanying detailed factory specification sheet. To the Continental R's already outstanding standard specification, this example adds five-spoke Continental T wheels, lowered suspension, large-bore twin-outlet exhaust system, chrome bezels to the dashboard instruments, starter button to console, 'MPW' badge to right side of boot, and extensive bespoke enhancements to the interior trim (full list available).
Originally a Jack Barclay demonstrator, this Continental R was purchased from them by the current vendor. The car comes with full service history with Jack Barclay (1998-2000) and Harwoods of Sussex (2001-2018), there being some 20 service/maintenance/MoT records on file. The most recent service and MoT was carried out by Harwoods in February 2018 (at 20,850 miles), the automatic gearbox having been renewed the previous year (at 20,680 miles). Finished in Holly Green with Spruce hide interior trim, this elegant modern Bentley is offered with current MoT, a V5C Registration Certificate, and the aforementioned service history and specification sheet.
Saleroom notices
Upon delivery this vehicle was found to have a minor fault with the adjustment of the drivers seat. This will be fixed post sale at the vendors expense.
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Motor Cars (UK)
Client Services (UK)
Shipping (UK)
Auction Viewings
- 17 March 2018, 09:00 - 17:30 GMT
- 18 March 2018, 09:00 - 14:00 GMT