Description
Registration No: P503 SVX
Chassis No: SCBZU23C9VCH53471
MOT: January 2024
One of only 104 RHD Continental T's built
Just 4 former keepers
Showing a genuine 37, 000 miles from new
Subject of recent expenditure
Though launched at the Geneva motor show of 1991, many elements of the John Heffernan/ Ken Greenley-penned Continental R had been seen at the same salon as far back as 1984, when Bentley unveiled their 'Project 90' concept car; a suitably enthusiastic reception leading the company to develop the car for production. Clearly the Sultan of Brunei approved of the end result, as he bought the 1991 show car at the exhibition. The Continental tag was intended to recall memories of the elegant Bentley Continentals of the '50s and '60s, while the 'R' was a hark back to R Type Bentleys of the '50s and the Turbo R of the '80s. The new car was based on the Turbo R floorpan and powered by that model's 6. 75-litre turbocharged V8 engine, that was believed (the Rolls-Royce/ Bentley company of the day never quoted horsepower figures) to produce in the region of 325bhp. Whatever, it was sufficient to give a top speed of some 145mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of around 6. 6 seconds - no mean performance for a car weighing in at some 2. 5 tons. The engine drove through the then new 4-speed GM 4L80-E transmission. The striking two-door body featured more curvature than the Rolls-Royce and Bentley saloons of the time and while its drag coefficient of 0. 465 was unimpressive in general terms, it was nevertheless a huge improvement over that of previous Bentleys. Unlike all other Bentleys since the S3 of 1965, its body was unique to the marque and not shared with any model of Rolls-Royce. It was a big car by any standards, being some 17. 5 feet long and over 6. 5 feet wide. The 24 gallon fuel tank was a clue to the fuel consumption when the full performance was employed. In 1996, Bentley decided to recreate an element of the Continentals of the post war period, with a more powerful, short wheelbase model with uprated suspension and a sportier interior - enter the Bentley Continental T. This model was equipped with the most powerful of Bentley's ubiquitous OHV turbocharged 6. 75-litre V8 engine. With an output of 420bhp and 875 Nm of torque (reputedly more than that offered by any other manufacturer in the world), the Continental T could see speeds of up to 170mph - territory normally reserved for supercars.
The Continental T offered here is one of only 104 models produced for the UK market between 1996 and 2003. 1997 was the peak year of production for the right-hand drive version, with only 42 cars produced that year. Delivered new to its first owner on the 16th of May 1997 by Ron Stratton & Co Ltd of Knutsford, Cheshire, this elegant motor car boasts an Atlantic Dark Blue exterior and a luxurious interior specified with Sandstone Connolly Hide and Dark Blue carpets. The cabin also features contrasting Dark Blue hide on the top roll and centre console, as well as Dark Blue piping on the seats. It was specified with a Burr Walnut veneer dashboard without any inlays, a departure from the typical Rolls-Royce style of that period, and full wrap-around veneer on the door cappings. To complement the theme, a wood-rimmed steering wheel was fitted as well. The car’s power output was 400 bhp, though some later models received a boost to 420 bhp. Currently offered from the owner’s deceased estate, this car has been used very sparingly since it was given to the owner in lieu of payment for works completed in September 2018. Fresh after recent recommissioning and showing only 37, 000 miles from new, this car is offered with a full owner’s pack and tool kit together with a current V5.
