Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tuesday 9th September from 12pm
Auction: Wednesday 10th September from 9am
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1996 Bentley Continental R
Estimate
£22, 000 - £26, 000
Registration No: P76 LTF
Chassis No: SCBZB15C7VCH53319
MOT: October 2025
Finished in Black Emerald complemented to a Sandstone leather interior
93, 500 recorded miles and current ownership since 2021
Offered with owners’ wallet, handbook, and stamped service book
Collection of invoices and current V5c document
The Continental R, code-named ‘Nepal’ by Bentley’s engineering department, was designed and built entirely at Crewe. It filled the space left by the Camargue, sharing with that model an eye-watering list price. When launched in 1991, the initial press release had the price as £160, 000, only for that to be tweaked upwards to £175, 000 soon afterwards, when the new VAT rate was announced in that year’s budget. The sleek shape benefited from work in the wind tunnel; the windscreen was raked to lower the vehicle’s drag coefficient, enhancing fuel consumption, lowering wind noise and raising the model’s top speed. It is said that when the model was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the assembled audience broke out into spontaneous applause, with the Geneva Show car being sold to the Sultan of Brunei on the spot! Riding on 16-inch wheels with low profile Avon tyres, the new Continental R was powered by the company’s revered 6750cc V8 engine, now using a new four-speed GM automatic transmission. The 325bhp turbocharged power unit would offer a near 150mph top speed and somehow heave Bentley’s 2. 4-tonne bulk to 60mph in just over six seconds.
Finished in Black Emerald complemented by a Sandstone leather interior this Continental R was originally supplied by H R Owen at a cost of over £170, 000 (invoice on file). It has been in the current ownership since 2021 during which time it has been maintained by Rolls-Royce specialists Leslie James Ltd of Ipswich, Suffolk. Now registering some 93, 000 miles, the engine is said to be “excellent” with body, paint and interior all described as being “very good”. Offered with owners’ wallet, handbook, stamped service book, a collection of invoices, MoT to October 2025 and current V5c document.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
