A beautiful example of the Continental R – the world’s most expensive production car at launch
A mere 56,500 miles from new backed by a full, no expense spared, dealer service history
Finished in the very appealing British Racing Green over Magnolia leather colourway
An iconic Bentley being the fastest and most powerful model ever at its launch
The Appeal
The Bentley Continental R was a watershed model for Bentley and started the marque’s progression to the independent and performance orientated manufacturer it is today. The Continental R was the first model to not share a body with a Rolls Royce model since the Continental S3 of the 1960’s.
The Continental R seems to be have been conceived with superlatives in mind. It was the fastest, most expensive, most powerful, and even its codename “Nepal” seemed to hint at the height of the aspirations Bentley had for their new coupe. With a mere 1,854 produced between 1991 and 2003 the Continental R was always a rare car with the ravages of time conspiring to make it rarer still today. Especially in this sublime condition.
A delightful interior successfully blending both luxury and sporting pretentions
Trimmed in a combination of magnolia and green leather and copious amounts of walnut
This truly analogue interior perfectly suits such an iconic, hand built classic
The interior design work of the Continental was let by Graham Hull aided by the small in house styling team at Rolls-Royce. Despite this, it remains a very differentiated design and the early signs of Bentley striving to plough their own furrow. The interior stands the test of time very well and provides a welcome antidote to the digitally laden cabins of more contemporary cars.
The long, wide opening doors lead the eye into a sea of premium materials, all seeming to compliment each other very well indeed. The front seats are surprisingly sports orientated, neatly differentiating themselves from the wide, flat offerings found in Rolls Royces of this period. The seats are generously bolstered, and the centres are double stitched into horizontal box pleats to provide additional support and comfort. A subtle line of green leather piping delineates the seat edges.
The seats appear to be in a near pristine condition and have clearly been well nourished and cared for to prevent undue cracking and wear. The seats are electrically adjustable and heated. They also benefit from a memory function offering four separate settings per seat.
The flat fronted dash is generously dressed in a mid-coloured walnut veneer. The dash top is trimmed with stitched green leather with the lower sections being finished in magnolia hide. A slew of white on black Bentley monogrammed gauges populate both the centre section and driver’s side of the dash.
The walnut extends into the wide centre console which is home to the gear selector, seat controls and commodious, lidded, central storage cubby. The door cards are as exquisitely trimmed as the rest of the interior, finished in magnolia leather, adorned which chromed door furniture and capped with walnut veneer.
The front seats fold forward to provide access to the rear cabin. Far from an occasional perch for children, the rear cabin provides individual, full sized seats suitable for adults. The rear seats mirror the fronts in their design and quality. Rear passengers even benefit from retractable chrome and walnut trays which extend from the backs of the front seats. There is a roll topped centre console, too, providing useful storage for those in the back.
Throughout the floors are finished in dark green, deep pile lamb’s wool carpets which help to reinforce the quality and luxury of this sublime interior. It is all in an excellent, well cared for condition throughout and provides a lovely environment in which to spend time.
The commodious boot is usefully shaped and trimmed in dark green carpet edged in magnolia leather. The amplifiers for the quality Alpine sound system are safely housed beneath the boot floor which is also home to the original warning triangle.1995 Bentley Continental 6.8 R Coupe-24.jpg453.17 KB
The Exterior
A sleek and elegant exterior carrying forward many cues from former iconic models
Presented in a deep and lustrous British Racing Green in a fine, original condition
Maintaining a faithful, original presentation devoid of any later additions
The sleek design of the Continental R started out as a concept penned by Graham Hull and slated as a replacement for the Rolls Royce Corniche. Following the success of the earlier Bentley Turbo R, the marketing team were keen for the marque to further develop a sporting lineage distinct from the Rolls Royce range. Hull suggested his design could be the basis of a new Bentley coupe and John Heffernan and Ken Greenley were soon retained to finish the job.
Their design was not only competitively aerodynamic but also managed to effectively disguise its unsportingly generous dimensions. Both the name and many of the design cues were contrived to evoke flavours of Bentleys past such as the post-war Continentals and the R Types of the 50’s.
Our car is a fine exemplar of the breed and looks sophisticated, distinctive, and muscular from every angle. It presents in, surely, the best colourway for a sporting Bentley – British Racing Green. It exudes a very “less is more” persona with just a thin gold coachline and some subtle splashes of chrome brightwork gently gilding the look.
The big quad headlamps, full width indicators and signature mesh grill inserts give the front of the car a sporting visage and hint at the performance prowess offered up by this big coupe. The car rides on original 17-inch, seven spoke alloy wheels which are shod in a matching set of Avon CR228 tyres in the period correct size and configuration.
The overall impression is of a continent crossing GT car which has aged very well and whose overall condition truly belies its age. A real head turner and conversation starter in equal measure.1995 Bentley Continental 6.8 R Coupe-14.jpg704.96 KB
The Mechanics
The Continental R is fitted with a L410ITI 6.75 litre turbocharged V8 engine
The power of this unit was estimated at 360 bhp and over 500 lb-ft of torque
This configuration was sufficient to give the Continental R a significant turn of speed
By this period Bentley were very much passed the “sufficient” power outputs that were previously never disclosed. Big V8’s that were formerly tuned for torque to prioritise smooth and creamy progress, were being fettled and turbocharged to deliver more compelling road dynamics.
The combination of a turbocharged V8 feeding power through a silky smooth four speed GM 4L80-E automatic gearbox meant that there was the potential for more than just stately progress from this Bentley. Talk of 0-60 mph times in the six second range and 150mph plus top speeds was common and, likely, not exaggerated.
This example is reported to be in an excellent mechanical condition. The previous owner charged specialist Phantom Motor Company with ensuring his prized Bentley was driving as well as the day it was made. This work included a full service as well as thorough reworking of the brakes and suspension.
The current owner stresses how well this car drives and runs which will come as no surprise given the “no expense spared” attention this car has enjoyed. The services in the book number 15 overall, often with only a few thousand miles being covered between services.
Both the under-bonnet presentation and underside of the car are very clean, further suggesting that this is a car that has wanted for nothing in terms of mechanical upkeep.1995 Bentley Continental 6.8 R Coupe-130.jpg488.72 KB
Summary
What a car. A model that started out rare, due to miniscule production numbers, and has become only rarer still over time. A car that was approaching a retail price of £200,000 back in 1995 and that broke significant new ground for sporting Bentleys and paved the way for the marque’s subsequent transformation and reinvention. A car of this nature is ensured classic status from new given its innate quality and provenance.
This example is a real gem, too. Boasting a low original mileage and a first-class maintenance record it would be very difficult to find a better example, surely. The overall condition is hard to fault and represents astounding value for its new owner as well as an asset that can be enjoyed whilst it continues to appreciate.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
