Highlights

Low mileage of under 54,000 miles
Rare Mulliner with bespoke features
One of only 243 RHD first generation Azures
Very well maintained by Jack Barclay and specialists
£8,000 invested in mechanicals since 2022
Handsome and understated black colour theme

The Appeal

It was an inspired move to chop the roof off the world’s most expensive car, one that was Bentley’s fastest production model at the time. That car was the highly regarded Continental T and the car created was the first generation Azure.

Rarified and as quick as it was beautiful, the Azure’s inspiration in luxury yachts is obvious from its long, lithe lines and sumptuous cabin. From 1999 buyers could reach further into the motoring stratosphere with Mulliner specification. This service enabled owners to introduce bespoke features, each model also getting subtly flared arches to accommodate larger tyres.

Of the 1,311 ‘Series 1’ Azures built, a mere 243 were RHD cars like this one. Its Mulliner specification makes it even rarer. Just 12 RHD Azures were built alongside this one in 2000.

Finished in handsome ‘triple black’ - black paintwork, roof and cabin - it is a very low mileage car with comprehensive service history. Most of the work has been carried out by supplying dealer Jack Barclay whose pile of invoices in the history file can be measured in inches, as the photographs show. Recent work includes £8,000 invested in maintenance since 2022, the work including servicing, suspension, radiator, injector pump, alternator and engine mounts.

Only for sale because the current keeper is trimming his collection, this is a great opportunity for collectors of the finest convertibles.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 29th March 2000
Six registered keepers from new
Always garaged according to seller
For sale due to lack of use and vendor trimming collection
Factory handbooks and wallet in very good condition
11 service stamps in book to April 2014 and 39,564 miles
Supplied by Jack Barclay who has undertaken most of the servicing work
Thick history file with extensive invoices as shown in photographs
1 key
MOT to 20th September 2024 with 53,450 miles showing on test and no advisories
No advisories on previous three MOTs
Currently showing 53,738 miles
£5,441 invoice from specialist Shadow Motorcars in June 2022
£2,637 invoice from same specialist in March 2024
Private registration not included but can be bought separately
Recent work on these invoices summarised below

Summary of maintenance by Shadow Motorcars since June 2022:

Engine mounts
Suspension repairs
New tyres
Alternator
Replacement hoses and pipes
Air conditioning compressor
Coolant repairs
New radiator
New injector pump

The Condition

Rare ‘triple black’ finish with black interior, roof and paintwork
Well kept car with smart paintwork in good order
Bodywork presents well with no accident damage advised
Mulliner specification with flared arches and 18in split spoke alloys
Some minor signs of use to exterior such as lightly kerbed wheels but not unsightly
Small area of delamination to corner of windscreen as shown in photographs
Black roof in good condition and operates correctly
Fitted with Pirelli tyres with two replaced since June 2022
Underside presents well with no structural advisories on current MOT
Unmodified car fitted with later Alpine high end stereo head unit
Smart interior with only light signs of age to black leather seats
Piano black veneers and factory switchgear in very good condition

The Azure delivers something that the best high end yachts similarly achieve: to be both understated and purposeful. It is an impression enhanced by the handsome black paintwork of this model, plus the lightly flared arches that come with the Mulliner specification cars.

Inside and out it is in very good order, as you would likely expect from a low mileage car equipped with such an extensive history file. The signs of its 24 years are exceptionally minimal, limited to some light creasing on the front seats. That could probably be remedied by a professional valeter.

The Azure was one of the last Bentleys fully hand built by the firm’s renowned craftsmen. This car is a testament to their skills.

The Mechanics

6,750cc Bentley hand-built turbocharged V8 engine developing 420bhp
4spd automatic gearbox
0-60mph in 6.4secs
Extensive history file mainly by supplying dealer Jack Barclay
Recent £8,000 maintenance since June 2022 detailed above
No reported running or driving issues
No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT

The Continental T, on which the Azure is based, was widely praised by contemporary reviewers for its handling and prodigious power. At the time it was the fastest production Bentley ever built. The Azure loses none of those qualities, delivering close to 420bhp from its classic 6.75L turbocharged V8.

Of course, proceeding rapidly is not really the Azure way. But it is nice to know it is there if required. The indications are that this very low mileage car hasn’t been driven in anger, but it certainly has been maintained to a very high level.

The history file is vast, most of the work undertaken by the supplying dealer, Jack Barclay of London. More recently it has been looked after by well known specialist Shadow Motorcars, where £8,000 has been invested in a long list of routine and preventative repairs. The scope of this work suggests the current keeper has attended to work even where it has been very minor.

That is good news for the buyer. The car arrives on the market in good mechanical condition with no known mechanical issues and no advisories on the current MOT.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, so consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ This vehicle is subject to third-party financing But don’t worry**,** the seller will clear all financing debts and associated costs on sale.

✓ We request that ****a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it’s always worthwhile carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email auctions@carandclassic.com.