1996 Bentley Brooklands

The Brooklands was marketed with a more driver-focused identity. As such, it struck a balance between opulence and engagement, appealing to those who appreciated old-world luxury with a hint of individuality. Later models equipped with turbochargers offer even more appeal to drivers, allowing a very enjoyable drive with plenty of power, a subtle yet masterful soundtrack and smooth delivery.

In addition to its desirable turbocharged configuration being a 1996 model, this particular example also boasts a beautiful pairing of Sherwood Green paintwork and Sandstone hide upholstery. While some specifications may blend in with traffic, this beauty stands as an eye-catching reminder of just how a British motorcar should be.

The vehicle has been brilliantly preserved over the years, not only offering fantastic overall health but also a great collection of history to peruse. Presented in excellent condition and ready to be driven exactly as Bentley intended, this 1996 Brooklands beauty makes for a superb candidate for collectors on the search for a desirable specification and enthusiasts seeking an incredibly refined yet enjoyable weekend toy. 
 

The Brooklands is a truly fine showcase of the Bentley and Rolls-Royce philosophy. Above all, it’s elegant as ever, utilising smooth lines, bold chrome details and squared edges to combine a stately presence, hinting at the performance on offer. Compared to the Turbo R, it’s much more subtle in terms of aggressive cues, and yet, the road presence is utterly fantastic, especially today with dreary modern traffic.

Serving the styling of the Brooklands brilliantly, the coat of Sherwood Green Mica paintwork only amplifies the vehicle’s classy yet bold presence, arguably standing as one of the finest colours available. The finish is very respectable, offering a very glossy finish and a dazzling array of metallic greens, blues and yellows as the sun dances across the paintwork. The exterior no doubt benefits from the body and paint services detailed in documentation from 2015, which note work to the bumper, wings and wheel arch. As the images depict, there are a few minor blemishes and instances of surface bubbling to note, although these are only noticeable upon close inspection and hardly detract from the overall finish.

The handsome bodywork pairs with the original set of seven-spoke alloy wheels, all of which offer a great finish with only minor signs of age to show. Chrome detailing across the body, intricacies and iconic front waterfall grille offers a very impressive finish for its age, with a great shine and signs of evident care. Badging, glass and lights follow suit in terms of preservation, all contributing to a very respectable finish worthy of admiration.
 

As you may come to expect from a Bentley, the interior of this Brooklands is nothing short of superb. It presents a perfectly balanced combination of comfort, tremendous space, handsome styling and top-notch materials throughout, all reflecting exquisite British craftsmanship. With Sandstone hide, Spruce piping, Conifer carpeting, and Walnut details, this example bears a beautiful interior specification.

Further to its credit, this Brooklands was specified with sports-style seats, which remain incredibly comfortable and supportive. The Sandstone hide and Spruce piping across all seats retain a brilliant finish and reflect very little use, rather remarkably, including the driver’s seat. The doorcards, pillar and dashboard hide follow suit, with only a few incredibly light blemishes to show.

Similar to that found outside the vehicle, all brightwork present within the cabin shows excellent care, with the likes of the rear passenger ashtrays offering a superb, clean finish. Walnut burr as present on the dashboard, door cards and control areas also boasts rich colouring and an excellent sheen across all surfaces. It’s also worth noting that the rear tables fold out without a hitch, and all interior controls are believed to be in full working order.

All in all, the interior of this 1996 Brooklands is exquisite. Further detailing would yield an even more impressive finish, but this is a beautiful cabin to find oneself in and serves the model proudly. 
 

Petrolheads alike will be pleased to know the Brooklands is powered by Bentley’s signature 6.75-litre Rolls-Royce V8 engine, renowned for being one of the most enduring powerplants in history. The hearty lump was originally naturally aspirated, depriving drivers of forced induction goodness until 1996, when the Brooklands bore even more similarity with the Turbo R, receiving a turbocharger of its own. Although a low-pressure system, the turbo transforms the drive, combining with the automatic transmission to make for torquey yet smooth power delivery.

This very example lives up to expectations, driving and performing as it should. Acceleration is a very enjoyable experience, the brakes do their job brilliantly, and the ride quality is comparable to surfing on a cloud. The engine bay is notably tidy, and the exhaust note provides a subtle soundtrack to enjoy.  The vehicle’s excellent mechanical health is no doubt a result of previous maintenance, regular servicing and caring ownership over the years. 
 

History and documentation are paramount when considering a Bentley, which makes this example all the more enticing. Beginning with the original build sheet detailing specifications, there’s a great collection of documents to peruse.

Within the original service booklet, you’ll find 24 stamps reflecting regular servicing over the years. A vast collection of invoices also details further maintenance, including a selection of key replacement parts and labour. The likes of new valve stem seals, gaskets, springs, bushes, dampers, belts, an A/C compressor and various electrical & ECU repairs can be found within the photographed documentation.  

Also included is a selection of previous MOT certificates, the current V5C document, the owner’s book and 2 keys. 
 

The Brooklands is a truly brilliant Bentley, reflecting the expert craftsmanship, handsome styling, opulent nature and mighty performance we’ve come to expect from the legendary British marque. It’s brilliantly balanced among the lineup of models, standing as one that can be enjoyed equally as both a driver and a passenger.

This particular example not only boasts the sought-after turbo configuration, but also showcases a fantastic interior & exterior specification, and stands in excellent condition today. Offering flawless performance with plenty of history in support, this 1996 Bentley Brooklands is more than ready to be enjoyed by the next lucky keeper. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £6,000 - £10,000.

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’.