The first mass-manufactured Bentley produced under VW’s ownership, when the Continental GT came out in 2003 it was an instant and massive success. Widely recognised as one of the finest grand tourers money can buy, its blend of smooth styling, opulent interior finishes and a thunderous W12 drivetrain make it vastly capable and deeply practical.
This is a lovely example, finished in a classic colour combination and having covered an average of only about 5,000 per year. As a way to travel in absolute comfort with nearly bottomless reserves of performance, the Continental GT is almost unparalleled.7KPNp0kPbuT0IAfiDzUhErxm6t1b07kFV3FR0rLu.jpeg1.25 MB
The History and Paperwork
First registered on 29 March 2006
2005 mild facelift model
Matching numbers vehicle
Owned by current keeper since February 2019
Purchased from an independent specialist in Newbury
300W, 12-speaker sound system with radio and CD auto-changer
Built-in satellite navigation and hands-free phone connection
Heated, 14-way electric 3-position memory seats
Parking sensors and cruise control
Electric windows and heated mirrors
4-zone climate control
The cabins in Continental GTs are always exquisitely finished, with supreme quality materials and a high specification. This one is no different. As well as all the usual features and luxuries, the car was specified with the optional Magnolia leather upholstery, with contrasting blue leather trim, colour-matched carpets and seat belts, and beautifully glossy wood veneer trim. All of the leather is in very fine condition, with no real evidence of wear and certainly no sagging or tears. There is some very minor wear starting to appear on the driver’s seat, but this is only to be expected.
Looking at the headlining and carpets, they are in similarly excellent condition. The cream headlining shows no signs of sagging or damage, and the deep blue carpets with matching over-mats look to be in very good condition.
All of the switchgear and controls present very well, with no damage or wear showing. The owner tells us that everything functions perfectly and that the car even “still smells like new”. The dashboard shows no warning lights and all of the displays and dials are intact and in an excellent state.
The boot of the Bentley is vast – easily enough to carry all the luggage a couple could need for a week away (unless you’re an exceptionally enthusiastic packer). Presenting in excellent condition, it’s finished in a deep grey-blue carpet, under which is a spacesaver spare wheel and the original toolkit.LHIRDS3S5ZKtqRtbi9Ww6cegQUKalqleDTgm38Cy.jpeg693.29 KB
The Exterior
Sapphire Blue Metallic paintwork
Original 19” 9-spoke Bentley alloys
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres with good tread
Xenon headlights
That combination of deep Sapphire Blue Metallic over large, silver wheels and a Magnolia interior is, quite simply, gorgeous. The paintwork here presents in excellent overall condition.
Bentley’s paint finish is legendarily good, and it’s no different here. The bodywork itself is straight, clean and undamaged, with excellent fit-and-finish and neat panel gaps.
Those two-piece 19” alloy wheels are also in very good condition, with just a small chip on the rear OS wheel to report. All of the matching tyres wear good tread and appear to be in fine condition.
Otherwise, all of the external trim, brightwork, glass, seals, and light lenses present excellently. Everything is straight, complete and undamaged, with minimal signs of wear for the age of the vehicle.
Underneath, the owner reports that the vehicle is in good condition, with only light evidence of the beginnings of surface corrosion in a couple of places. At the last service, some surface corrosion was rust-treated and sealed as a precaution.2nfrOTepHXBuygEnQiPSYgt25Bg1FbuRkGsTDyvP.jpeg1.23 MB
The Mechanics
5,998cc W12 twin-turbo engine
Automatic 6-speed (shiftable) transmission
All-wheel drive with centre LSD
Double wishbone front and rear multi-link suspension
The driving experience of the Continental GT is dominated by two things: cosseting luxury and the absolutely incredible performance of that twin-turbo W12. It offers the kind of shove you’d usually associate with a Saturn V rocket. With 552bhp and 650Nm on tap, there’s more than enough power in reserve to make it an effortless driving companion. Twinned with a 6-speed automatic transmission, that you can shift yourself if desired, it makes the car a fabulous grand tourer.
With a good service record and low miles for its age, it’s no wonder the mechanical aspects of the car present so well. The engine bay is nice and clean, with no evidence we could see of leaks, corrosion or damage.
The owner tells us that the car drives perfectly. In fact, they said it’s “the single most comfortable and effortless car I have had the pleasure of owning”.
If you want a modern, well-specified, practical and endlessly capable grand tourer, there aren’t many options better than a Bentley Continental GT. It’s been a success for a reason – it’s a technical tour de force that Bentley have executed with clinical precision and peerless build quality.
This example has an exceptional specification, good history, low miles for the age and is very original. It’s a very desirable and exquisitely designed machine that deserves a place in anyone’s automotive collection.
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