Lot details Registration No: K479PGO Chassis No: SCBZB03A1NCH42165 Mot Expiry: March 2011
Though launched at the 1991 Geneva motor show, many elements of the John Heffernan/Ken Greenley-penned Continental R had been seen at the same salon back in 1984, when Bentley unveiled their 'Project 90' concept car; a suitably enthusiastic reception leading the company to develop the car for production. Clearly the Sultan of Brunei approved of the end result, as he bought the 1991 show car. The Continental tag was intended to recall memories of the elegant Bentley Continentals of the '50s and '60s, while the 'R' was a hark back to R Type Bentleys of the '50s and the Turbo R of the '80s. The new car was based on the Turbo R floorpan and powered by that model's 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 engine that was believed to produce in the region of 324bhp. Whatever, it was sufficient to give a top speed of 145mph and 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds - no mean performance for a car weighing 2.5 tons and the best of any Bentley in its day. The engine drove through a 4-speed GM 4L80-E automatic gearbox. The striking two-door body featured more curvature than the Rolls-Royce and Bentley saloons of the time and, while its drag coefficient of 0.465 was unimpressive in general terms, it was nevertheless a huge improvement over that of previous Bentleys. Unlike all other Bentleys since the S3 of 1965, its body was unique to the marque. It was a big car by any standards, being some 17.5 feet long and over 6.5 feet wide. The 24 gallon fuel tank was a clue to the fuel consumption when the full performance was employed. The Continental R was produced from 1991 to 2003, during which time some 1,290 examples were made. Its successor was the Continental GT that remains in production today.
The 1992 example offered was supplied new by HR Owen. Its coachwork is finished in British Racing Green while the seats are trimmed in Magnolia hide piped in dark green. The suitably comprehensive specification includes: Spruce hide top roll, centre console and lambswool over-rugs; Magnolia hide knee roll, headlining and rear parcel shelf; 17in alloy wheels and 10-speaker CD system. The car complete with handbook, service books and some previous MOTs. The intention is for it to have a new MOT by the time of the sale. An early pre-catalyst model, this Continental R is said to offer great performance and is described by the vendor as "a lovely example". Having cost in the region of £200,000 new, it represents incredible value for money in today's market.
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