Description
This car is Lot 129 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 11 July, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Thursday 10 July from 09:00 until 17:00 and Friday 11 July from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lot 129
1993 Bentley Continental R Coupé
Registration no. to be advised
Chassis no. SCBZB03C6RCH52021
Landmark modern Bentley
Present ownership since 2018
Over £35, 000 spent in current ownership
Substantial history file
On display at Geneva in 1985 was 'Project 90': a mocked-up coupé styled by Messrs John Heffernan and Ken Greenley, which was 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. Again, the work of Heffernan and Greenley, 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 'overdrive' top ratio, but the main focus of interest was the newcomer's performance. Needless to say, this was outstanding, the combination of the Turbo R V8 engine in the new wind-cheating shape cutting the 0-60mph time to 6. 2 seconds and boosting top speed to over 150mph. Costing nearly £200, 000 when new, the Bentley Continental R was the world's most expensive production car at that time.
One of only 1, 335 built, this Continental R was acquired from Broughtons of Cheltenham by the previous owner in May 1999 at 55, 000 miles having undergone an extensive service prior to purchase. Between 2000 and 2004, the car was maintained by S C Gordon Bentley, followed by Bentley Pangbourne from 2006 to 2010 (see bills totalling circa £38, 500). Maintenance was subsequently entrusted to Sargeants of Goudhurst and Frank Dale & Stepsons, who fitted a new radiator and refurbished the interior in 2014. Spellbound Cars of Farnham maintained the Continental from 2015-2018.
Since purchasing the car in 2018, the vendor has spent over £35, 000 on it, over £26, 500 with P&A Wood, and other invoices with work at Colbrook and Silver Lady Limited. The most recent visit to P&A Wood occurred in November 2024 when they carried out a Schedule Service C and sundry other works (all details available). All the aforementioned paperwork is still in the file, together with a hand-written service record and MoT record from new. It should be noted that the private numberplate 'HRB 1A' and the Cresta Run badge shown in the photographs do not come with the car.
This elegant modern Bentley is offered with a most impressive history file, worthy of closest inspection, containing the original sales brochure, sales receipt, warranty documents, owner's manual, and service booklet.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
