1996 Bentley Continental R

This ‘Midnight Blue’ Continental R has been in the ownership of the vendor for the past four years, during which time more than £20,000 has moved from his bank account to that of The Chelsea Workshop, who are Bentley whisperers of the first order.

The vendor bought the car from a chap living in the same London mansion block as him and, although he doesn’t have paperwork to back it up at present (it may follow), he has continued the previous owner’s very good habit of having the car maintained, serviced and repaired by The Chelsea Workshop.

When not clipping apexes, pulling away like the Flying Scotsman and generally putting lesser cars to shame, this thunderously powerful and magnificently sculpted machine has been kept under a car cover in a heated underground car park.

One or two minor foibles aside, this is undoubtedly one of the very best we’ve seen…and we’ve seen quite a few.

The vendor is only reluctantly selling because he spends six months of every year living in Menorca and it seems a shame to keep this wondrous machine unused for so much of the time.

It is, he tells us, the best car he’s ever owned and nothing short of an engineering marvel.

We can see why he might think that.

The bodywork on this exceptional vehicle is mercifully bereft of any dinks or dents.

The doors, which are similar in size to something you might find on an Amish barn, close with all the weight and certainty of slam doors on an old-school train carriage.

The panel gaps and shut lines are consistent, crisp and even.

The only slight exception to this rule is the rear bumper, which seems a trifle misaligned on the nearside. A small section of chrome trim is beginning to part company with the rest of the rear bumper, where there is also some cracked paint in evidence.

The wheels are broadly in fine fettle aside from a little bubbling under the paint around the valves in a couple of places. 

Both window-wiper rubbers look as if they’re operating short of the full run of glass, and some black paint on the wiper arms has worn away. 

Elsewhere, the exterior rubber trim has a few cracks in it here and there.

The acres of Midnight Blue paint have retained plenty of lustre and shine and the overall effect is really quite stunning.

Apart from a few light swirly scratches on the boot lid and bonnet, the odd stone chip around the grille and some fading to the black plastic shroud at the bottom corner of the n/s/r window, it’s all pretty much beyond reproach.

The matching Michelin tyres look to have plenty of life left in them.

Even nearly three decades after it left the factory, the interior of this Bentley oozes effortless taste and class like virtually no other manufacturer could or can achieve.

It’s a place you’ll want to spend some quality time, and lots of it.

The Connolly hide upholstery may look grey but it is, apparently, light blue. 

Either way, it’s in excellent condition and has only a few light creases to show for its years of dutifully providing comfort, support and opulence in equal measure. 

The only signs of wear anywhere that we can see are on the leather cover of the central armrest between the front seats.

The carpets and mats appear to be in fine fettle, as do the lambswool over-rugs, which are deep enough to fool your ankles that your feet have been stolen.

The headlining is in equally irreproachable condition, as are the door cards.

Aside from one or two small nicks on the driver’s door capping, the wood veneers are rich and glossy and, more importantly, they have resisted the usual temptation to crack and shed their lacquer.

The leather trim panels to the sides of the rear screen are beginning to come adrift.

The steering wheel, gear selector and other controls look good, as do the other controls, dials and instruments.

We didn’t tweak every lever, press every knob or flick every switch, but those we did tweak, press and flick did as they were told without any unwanted displays of reluctance or tawdriness.

We have driven this car and can faithfully attest to its still astonishing ability to accelerate an undeniably substantial mass of metal, glass, wood and leather to implausible speeds far faster than you might think possible.

Nothing rattles, pops, squeaks or sighs, with the possible exception of whoever is in the front passenger seat, and the car corners and handles with unfeasible agility and aplomb for one so large.

Everything in the very full engine bay appears to be in its right and proper place.

The car’s undersides look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and we saw nothing to make us tut or shake our heads. 

The car comes with a thick wad of bills, invoices and receipts covering work done on the car by The Chelsea Workshop over the last four years.

The car comes with a user handbook, a recent clear HPI report, and an MoT certificate that’s valid until 24th September 2024. 

Some say the Continental R was the last ‘proper’ Bentley, and with good reason.

It’s as long as the Queen Mary, as powerful as a Saturn V rocket and, when new, would have cost rather more than an entire postcode in Lincolnshire.

It is profligate, indulgent, elitist, excessive and, in our opinion, all the better for it.

This seems to us to be a particularly impressive example and one that will repay careful curation by its next owner with many years of uniquely classy, pedigree motoring pleasure. 

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £30,000 - £35,000. 

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 Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.