1996 Bentley Azure

This exclusive supply chain positively spluttered into life initially with less than 10 Azures being completed in its inaugural year. By 1996 production had ramped up somewhat with around 215 being delivered that year. This breathtaking example is, indeed, one of that cohort of 215 having been first registered in January of 1996. The car’s chassis number suggests it to be the 64th Series 1 Azure to be built and one of just 87 right hand drive cars amongst that 215. This UK specified and supplied example was delivered to its first owner by dealers Hadley Green Garage of Barnet in Hertfordshire.

Hadley Green continued to diligently service the Bentley until around 16,000 miles had been reached in March of 2003. At this juncture dealers Micheal Powells of Leicester took up the servicing mantle suggesting a transition to a second owner at around that point. A further three registered keepers followed in the years between 2003 and 2014. In 2014 the previous keeper acquired the Bentley with the odometer now sitting at around 73,000 miles. The Azure’s existing 60 TXB registration mark (included in the sale) was fitted at that stage, and the sixth keeper retained the Bentley until March 2022 adding just 4,000 miles or so during their tenure. Current owner, Thomas, acquired the Bentley at auction at that stage following the death of the previous owner. Ultimately only around 1,400 examples of this Series I Azure were built.
 

This example’s striking Peacock Blue paintwork is, surely, deeply appropriate for such a head turning vehicle. The Azure offers an impressive amount automotive real estate, too extending to over 5.3 meters in length. Despite this physical scale it remains a finely featured design somehow combining brutish charm with peerless sophistication. This example is notable for its vented “Mulliner” front wings and deeply impressive originality. The car’s finish remains testament to Bentley’s hand preparation of the body shell before it begins its journey through a multi-stage paint process. It appears impressively good for what is now a 29 year old car.

The two years of work put into that impressive hood is writ large in this example with the multi-layered and insulated top’s outer layer presenting in a deep blue. It fits tightly and appears free from any notable imperfections. Even the usually prone rear acetate window remains in a good used condition. As was aways envisaged this huge expanse of fabric does indeed neatly hide itself away beneath a motorised hard tonneau cover once fully lowered leaving the Azure with an impressively clean... and loooong... profile.

The Azure sits on what Bentley’s publicity materials flatly describe as “new, sports style aluminium wheels.” These 7.5J x 17-inch items followed the Bentley trend of the period of fitting modest sized wheels and compensating with a prodigious amount of tyre sidewall. This greatly aided ride comfort with the added benefit of keeping the alloys better protected from threatening kerbs and the like. Possibly as a result, the wheels are in fine condition and a matching set of 255/55 Michelin Latitude tyres are fitted, date stamped from 2022.
 

Another guiding principle behind the design of the Azure was to provide peerlessly commodious and luxurious accommodation for four adults together with their full array of Louis Vuitton luggage. Mission clearly accomplished on all fronts, we can report.

The Azure’s cabin strikes an interesting transitional balance between the Rolls-Royce-esque “private members club” aesthetic and the overtly sports orientated interiors of Bentleys yet to come. The expected full herd’s worth of Connolly hides are present, in a Parchment hue (3672) in this example, as are cubits of mirror matched burr walnut veneers and seemingly ankle deep lambswool rugs and underlying Wilton carpets. The Bentley differentiation program makes itself felt here, though, too. Witness the sporty, deeply bolstered seats with their cool cantilever supported headrests. Exhibits B and C comprise the centrally mounted gear selector and impressive centre binnacle of five ancillary gauges.

The condition remains impressive as does the gadget manifest – for 1996 at least. Aids and refinements include electrically adjustable steering column, electrically adjustable and heated front seats with memory functions, a Becker Cascade Pro head unit paired with a Becker Silverstone CD changer and full climate control. The boot is impressively commodious and sumptuously appointed with more leather edge bound Wilton in Dark Blue (98).

It is worth noting that the consigner has mentioned that the electric steering column is currently not operating the wheel and the dashboard leather has started to lift around the air vent near the bottom of the windscreen
 

By 1996 Bentley had foregone their earlier habit of keeping their engines’ power outputs a mysterious secret. Perhaps it was because they had something to be proud of once more. In this application the redoubtable 6.75-litre L-series V8 boasted a liquid-cooled charged air cooler to maximise the effect of a big Garret turbo. The result was a quoted 385bhp at 4,000 rpm and a mighty 553 Ib-ft of torque between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. The four-speed GM-sourced automatic gearbox fed power to the rear wheels delivering a sub 7-second 0-60mph time and a 150mph top speed.

Whilst a spirit of openness now prevailed when it came to the engine’s output, the venerable L-Series of 1997 was starting to hide its physical light under a black plastic bushel. The dreaded engine cover had encroached upon the Azure’s engine-room, with just some embossed and polished alloy sections remaining visible. The condition of this compartment is very good, however, with all the expected data plates appearing present and correct. The Azure’s underside appears clean and straight overall and seemingly belies the age of the Bentley.
 

This Azure’s accompanying file of paperwork is a generous to a fault with nearly 90 images constituting our photographic record. The V5 registration document in the name of the owner is present. As is the current MoT which is valid until March 2026. Numerous earlier MoTs in hard copy are on hand, also.

The original book pack includes the all-important service book which is positively awash with stamps. It contains an amazing 32 stamps covering mileages from 776 to 69,405 and dates from March 1999 to August 2014. These are all at the skilled hands of either main dealers or recognised specialists. Numerous invoices are present including many picking up from 2014 and running to the present day. The more recent amongst these include a full recommissioning instigated by the current owner in 2022, some front underside repairs in 2024 and a roof mechanism service in 2025. Clearly a fastidiously maintained example.
 

By any measure the Series I Bentley Azure is an incredibly rare car. It’s eye-wateringly lofty original purchase price saw to that with the UK being recipient of no more than 250 of the full series production or around 1,400. It remains a thrilling sight in the metal, especially with the hood stowed away, with its clean lines and surprising length being the absolute epitome of 1990’s Bentley confidence and charisma.

This example of the species is a superbly presented uber-luxury convertible offering sublime and commodious accommodation for four lucky individuals. It offers an entrancing livery together with the most extensive of service histories, having lost absolutely none of its original kudos as the most prestigious of convertible GTs available at the time. The only obvious result of the passing of the years seems to be how much more attainable it has inevitably become. We invite you to take advantage of that fact and bid today to with an aim to own this ultimate expression of 1990’s prestige and optimism.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £40,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.