Description
This beautiful Bentley Continental R, first registered in October 1992, is one of only some 1, 250 built. I have owned it for over 16 years, and it has had six previous owners, some of them quite well-known personalities. Finished in stunning Tudor Red, with Magnolia leather interior, St James Red carpets with Magnolia binding and full sheepskin over-rugs front and rear, it is in pristine condition and has been cossetted all its life with dry weather use only in my hands.
Inside, the centre console, rear parcel shelf, dash top roll and front/ rear centre stowage bins are finished in St James Red hide. The dash, centre console and door tops are in Burr Elm veneer in lovely condition, with Magnolia leather headlining, lower dash and door panels.
The Continental R is powered by Bentley’s 328bhp turbocharged 6, 750cc V8, with four-speed automatic transmission, and the specification is as per the factory build sheet, with original Alpine stereo, wired-in carphone, CD changer, Alpine tape player and AM/ FM radio, power seats, windows, mirrors and automatic climate control. As an early model, this has the more elegant pre-airbag three-spoke leather steering wheel and lockable glovebox. It also has the later-style 17-inch alloy wheels with correct Avon Turbospeed tyres.
I was present at the Continental R's unveiling to the Press at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, and this one was built to the exact same specification as the launch car on the Bentley stand at the Show, which subsequently was sold to the Sultan of Brunei.
Since buying the car in 2010, I have covered only some 15, 000 miles – around 1000 miles per year – with summer use only. It appeared in Octane magazine (April 2014 issue) in a 'Best of the Nineties' feature. To date, the speedometer is showing around 88, 450 miles, which I believe to be genuine.
I am a long-term Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast, and during my ownership this cherished Continental R has been regularly serviced and maintained by well-known RR/ Bentley experts Colbrook, with extensive ownership records and numerous invoices and MoT certificates, original handbooks and toolkit to back it up.
An absolute pleasure to drive, and with an amazing sense of occasion behind the wheel, this Continental R is in a stunning colour combination and attracts more attention and comments than any other car I have ever owned.
Key features and maintenance work:
• Powered by Bentley’s 328bhp turbocharged 6, 750cc V8 with four-speed automatic transmission
• Cylinder head gaskets replaced with new gaskets engineered by renowned specialists P&A Wood.
• Climate control system upgraded to the latest refrigerant specification with new compressor. The best aircon I know!
• Rear suspension self-levelling spheres renewed
• Radiator renewed
• Bodywork maintained in A1 condition with any blemishes removed and properly repaired
• Extensive and detailed service history with Bentley main dealers and specialists
• Correct OEM spec Avon Turbosteel tyres
• 88, 450 miles backed up by extensive service invoices
• Around only 15, 000 miles in my hands since I bought the car in 2010
• New MoT valid until August 15th, 2027
• Classic insurance costs me under £200 a year with 5, 000 annual mileage
• Two sets of keys
