It’s the exquisite blue paint that first draws you in. And the more time you spend poring over this jewel-like Bentley, the more you find yourself beguiled by its myriad charms.

Back in 2000 when it was new, this rare model wore a colossal sticker price, which was fully justified as this was essentially a car that could do it all: brutally fast, built to handle, and yet sumptuously appointed and impeccably comfortable. A crisp design crafted by artisans for unrivalled quality, and something perhaps even more desirable now than it was then.

This special spec came in towards the end of the model’s run; the Continental R was built in various states of evolution from 1991-2003, and is particularly sought-after for the fact that it was the first Bentley since the sixties not to share a Rolls-Royce bodyshell. This was a car for marque purists, and the package didn’t disappoint: taking the engine from the Turbo R, the venerable and boosted 6.75-litre V8 served up 325bhp at launch, and this was later tickled to 360bhp thanks to some head work by Cosworth.

From early 1999, something really alluring entered the catalogue: the car you see here, the Continental R Mulliner. By this stage, power was up to 420bhp owing to a new charge-cooler and assorted other revisions, and this was all backed up by a frankly ludicrous torque figure of 650lb.ft. That’s more than enough torque to ruck up the tarmac like a hallway carpet, and of course still deployed in sumptuous luxury and refinement.

The Mulliner spec was, at its core, an effort to build a version of the Continental T (which had the more powerful 420bhp engine in a sporty shorter-wheelbase body) in a full-length touring body – the upshot of which was 170mph, 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, and space for four adults (plus luggage) to waft across continents in comfort. Which, of course, is what the Continental nameplate has always been about.
 

 

What’s particularly interesting about this Continental R Mulliner is that it’s effectively a Le Mans-spec car in all but name: Le Mans variants were built under the Personal Commission programme (there were 46 Continental R Le Mans and just 5 Continental T Le Mans), distinguishable by the green Bentley badges, chromed quad exhausts, starter button, and side wing vents.

The wide-body option for this model is a marvellously imposing aesthetic, and the bodywork is impressive throughout, with deeply lustrous Deep Aqua Blue paint and free from dents, dings or scratches – it’s evidently been carefully looked after.

All of the correct badges, trim and brightwork are in place, the window glass is in unmarked condition with good seals, the panels sit perfectly straight – everything’s as it should be. The wheels are the 18” Le Mans items, shod in quality OE-spec Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico rubber.

This car sports a number of additional features over the normal Mulliner spec, including red brake calipers, clear front indicator and side repeater lenses, and the pretty ‘Flying B’ bonnet mascot.
 Further desirable additions can be found inside, including the unique diamond-stitched leather seats in Barley with French Blue piping. The front and rear headrests have embossed blue Bentley logos, and contrasting French Blue leather trim can be found on the roll top, forward armrests, and front and rear console tops.

There are also chrome-rimmed dials, silver-capped gearstick with French Blue leather gaiter, French Blue carpets and seatbelts, and the audio system has been replaced with a modern period-style Blaupunkt Bremen DAB head unit with Bluetooth. Indeed, the inside of this car really is a fabulous place to be; the seats are all superbly comfortable and supportive, as you’d expect of a high-end car of this calibre.

The reclining seats for rear access work correctly, with their motorised action having been fettled in 2020. There are no notable marks, scratches, scuffs or other issues – everything is presented beautifully, and every button, gauge and control that we tested does what it should. Inside the boot it’s all dry and tidy, with the correct spare wheel under the carpet and the original tools in place. And as a special bonus, there’s a pair of rare Bentley umbrellas!
 

This car has always been fastidiously serviced by specialists, and all of this is painstakingly documented in the paperwork file. The mechanical package in this car is quite simply breathtaking, with the turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 offering mighty performance, delivered in effortless fashion thanks to those vast swells of torque. The engine is mated to a GM 4L80-E automatic transmission which shifts with supreme smoothness.

The suspension is a self-levelling hydraulic system with adaptive dampers, and the brakes have twin calipers at the front. The owner reports no issues whatsoever with the engine, transmission, suspension, steering or brakes – in fact, a vast sum of money was spent in 2020 to fully overhaul the hydraulic system, which will surely give the next owner great peace of mind – and everything is working just as it should. Which is what you’d expect of a car of such quality which has been so carefully maintained.

 
The Continental R Mulliner wears its class with such aplomb: it’s a striking profile, but it doesn’t shout about its presence; it’s fancy without being showy. The sort of car that could casually ooze down the high street and all but blend in except to those in the know. The fact that it’s also something of a polymath makes it all the more intriguing: this machine is staggeringly fast, with a handling setup that was universally praised by road-testers in period for an agility which belies the car’s not insignificant mass.

Furthermore, it’s a Jekyll-and-Hyde chassis which can be sporty on demand, but also sumptuous and cosseting when you want to waft. And crucially, the condition of this Bentley – both aesthetically and mechanically – is sublime. A stellar example of a super-rare curio.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

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