Runner up, Best Modern Bentley, Hampton Court Concours of Elegance, 2020
The Appeal
Introduced in 2008, the Bentley Brooklands Coupe was essentially a fixed head version of the Azure.
With an elegant, pillarless coupe design, the model was to be limited to 550 units but, given the economic environment into which it was launched, it’s thought that the limit was never reached. Just 97 UK RHD cars are known to of been produced, making it an extremely rare sight.
Employing Bentley’s long running six and three quarter litre V8 and two turbochargers, it packed a mighty 530bhp and boasted the greatest torque figure of any production car at the time.
This example has a full service history and remains in excellent condition. The car won the Modern Class in The Bentley Trophy at the 2020 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, with the judges particularly taken with its appearance with the windows retracted.
Having enjoyed the car at various such events and owner’s club meetings, the owner, a serial Bentley owner, is now looking to sample a Crewe-built convertible.
The enormous number of hours that goes into the production of a Bentley is immediately apparent when you climb aboard and take in the quality of the workmanship and the materials that go into building its cabin.
Here we have quilted black leather and, for a more sporting ambience that reflects the nature of this four seat coupe, a piano black wood veneer finish.
Did we say four seat? We did indeed, as the front seat folds forward to afford access to spacious rear seat accommodation, not that these look to have had many takers over the years.
In fact, the leather of the seats shows very little wear all round and the only obvious marks being dimples in the side of the front seats which are matched by corresponding indentations on the door cards which is presumed to be from where the seatbelt has not fully retracted before the doors have closed.
Up above, the hand-stitched leather headlining remains pristine while under the feet, the carpets show little to no signs of wear.
In fact the only visual indication of the age and mileage of the car are some light scratches around the centre console area and on the gear lever.
Another sign is that the satellite navigation screen struggles to lift itself up under its own steam but it’s never bothered the current owner as, despite coming with its own remote control, its age means that it can’t really compete with a smart phone in a suitable holder.
Open the boot, and in the generous and pristine luggage compartment, there are a pair of unused Bentley Manchester umbrellas. Under the floor are both batteries and the first aid kit. wp2YmYorNslWn340I7brcRE76I86Xiy5oqe8QipY.jpeg296.91 KB
The Exterior
Fabulous pillarless coupe design
Tungsten Grey
Lovely condition
To our eyes, with the windows fully retracted and displaying the pillarless design, this is a fabulous looking car. Presented in Tungsten Grey, it’s also in great condition with a small stone chip between the offside headlights the only blemish of note.
If we’re being picky, there is also some slight misting to the lower part of the offside outer headlight lens too but you’ve got to be really looking.
Otherwise, the bodywork is all very straight and the lustre of the paintwork reflects the effort that goes into applying it. The car has clearly been pampered.
The wheels remain in great shape with all the tyres showing good tread. At the rear, there’s a neat installation of a magnetic connector which allows the attachment of a trickle charger without having to leave the boot open which is ideal for the kind of high days and holidays usage that it has enjoyed with the current owner.AWbWBZ796RACaWh1mSSIYNBbA0cTgIWqVBWswYzy.jpeg457.54 KB
The Mechanics
6.75 litre twin turbocharged V8 producing 530bhp
Six speed auto with Tiptronic
0-60 in 5 seconds, 183 mph top speed
The engine bay is fronted by a plaque bearing the Bentley logo and ‘6 ¾ litre Brooklands’ insignia and is surrounded by a mesh grille that is showing a little surface corrosion.
Otherwise the rest of the under bonnet area is pristine, with the engine cover revealing just enough of that magnificent V8.
On the road, the seller reports that the car drives beautifully, pulling hard when asked and with just enough of a voice to make the delicious V8 rumble audible in the cabin.
The automatic gearbox changes smoothly and, by sliding the gear lever to the side, the driver is able to engage sport mode which holds the gears for longer and allows the gears to be selected manually using the Tiptronic function on the gear selector.
A rare and beautiful pillarless and almost peerless coupe that is in great condition and will surely make its next owner very happy.
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