1994 Bentley Continental R

The 1994 Bentley Continental R is a thoroughly blissful example with not too many miles on the clock. It’s got Bentley service history, near-spot-free condition overall, and some upkeep done recently to further bring it closer to how it’d have been nearly three decades ago, when new. It must be kept in mind that it’s not one that’s been mothballed waiting for its new owner, but rather one that has been used regularly during the summer months.

The vendor has had it for six years and has kept it in good shape throughout. He’s spent about £15,000 and has mentioned that the car has been ‘maintained regardless of expense’. ‘The combination of blue and ivory is the most sought after,’ he adds, before mentioning that the car is in excellent condition and that ‘the last hand-built Bentleys are a great investment; enthusiasts must be aware of the appreciating value of this model’.

It has a valid MoT certificate (which expires in July 2022), supporting invoices for the periodic maintenance carried out on the car, and acknowledgement letters for plate changes that the car has had. Talking of which, the current plate ‘B1 DUX’ has been retained by the vendor and the car’s back to K14 PDH.

With the Continental R, Bentley introduced, after many years, a two-door body style — one that wasn’t shared with any Rolls Royce. This in itself was a big thing, but this wasn’t done just for the sake of it. One look at the car and you’ll be able to appreciate its well-proportioned body, an overall look that’s assertive but not devoid of grace, and a design that seems to have aged really well. What the photos don’t generally show is how large the car actually is. This doesn’t just open up great room in the cabin, but also ensures that fewer doors don’t make this a lesser car, especially as far as (but not limited to) its physical footprint and ‘road presence’ go.

The design was as straight to the point as it could be; the Continental R was made to be a fast car but without having to give up the luxuries of a GT. Some may call it a touch plain for their liking, but then it worked — and we’d be happy to report that it still does. This 1994 example is very clean, with both its body free of damage and paint largely spot-free, too. There's no doubt that this Continental R’s sight is going to be enjoyed by many lucky onlookers/car spotters.

While clean on the whole, you’ll be able to find a handful of points that detract from a possible straight-out-of-dealership appearance. Firstly, it’s a car that has been regularly used, so it’s expected to have a few blemishes. Thankfully there aren’t too many: one swirl scratch on the bonnet, some scraping on the nearside rear bumper extension, and a few tiny marks on the boot. The 17-inch wheels (period-correct as the Continental R got a size up from the 16s in the year 1994) look great but the alloys could do with a refurb, especially to be in line with the rest of the car.

‘Through individually sculpted seats trimmed in top grade hide, each passenger has the opportunity to become one with the motor car…’. Bentley’s words, not ours, but it sums up the car’s interior well. There’s enough for every occupant to revel in, it’s undoubtedly high quality (you wouldn’t expect anything less from Bentley), and despite its age, the interior exudes not just timeless design but also a charm that can’t be challenged by newer or, if it’s possible, richer cabins.

It’s a beautifully specced example, this 1994 Bentley Continental R, and it becomes apparent as soon as you step inside. The nearly vertical dashboard presents a mix of materials and colours, and it just works perfectly in sync with the four-seat opulence this cabin is. The vendor has upgraded the radio to a modern Pioneer sat-nav, with a flip-out screen. Since it fits in the single-DIN slot, the screen doesn’t spoil the otherwise cohesive design. The only other upgrade the vendor has made was the inclusion of Lambswool over rugs.

Everywhere you look, it’s just top-drawer stuff and nothing else: the carpet to the headlining, everything is fresh and well-looked-after. The seats, especially the front ones, have some ageing marks. The steering and other switches on the dashboard look good, and the only way one can possibly guess that the car’s been used is by looking at the door sill. This is also when they’d notice the ‘Coachbuilt by Mulliner Park Ward’ plaque and realise how special this car genuinely is…

There are some minute marks on the door cards and the front armrest. Lift the blue carpet and you’d notice zero damage or corrosion in the footwell. The boot might not be big enough to hold an Ikea table top (or one from John Lewis, for that matter) but four designer holdalls won’t be an issue.

Open the bonnet, and the first thing you’d notice on the rather neat engine cover is the magical five-letter word which transforms cars, especially Bentleys of that era: Turbo. And that’s not just a clear giveaway about the engine that powers the car but also the platform that underpins it. The Continental R might have fewer doors but it shares its mechanicals with the Turbo R. It started life as the Project 90, and was turned into a production car in 1991. Bentley didn’t just stop there; they launched a few other models based on the car, like the Continental S, Continental T, Continental SC, etc.

The Continental R’s 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 engine made 325 bhp, and it was supplied with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. It wasn’t just an expensive Bentley, but also one that could be fairly deceptive with its looks. It’s as if the Bentley Continental R would make you believe that it’s a large coupe and thus its possibility of being ‘fast’ automatically would take a back seat and then the rush of power would prove otherwise. It could do 0-60 mph in just over six seconds. For a vehicle that weighs a smidgeon under 2.5 tonnes, that’s impressive, to say the least. And not just by the nineties’ standards!

This Continental R has done nearly 45,000 miles, but it’s been maintained well. The body appears to be free from rust, but underneath you’ll find some signs of it being a 30-year-old car, but it has a clear MoT.

Talking about MoT, it must be noted that the latest test resulted in two advisories: corroded brake lines at the front and the presence of a grease-like substance. The vendor has in the latest service got it sorted, too. This can be verified in the latest service document, available in the photo gallery, which also points out that other work on straightening jacking points, and that rust repair for various parts was also carried out, among other things. Serviced at Bentley and specialist garages, the Continental R has a Bentley service book with 18 stamps. In terms of repairs or replacements, apart from the routine maintenance, it has new Pirelli tyres.

This Continental R was first registered in September 1994, and looking at the MoT/mileage records, it, on average, did about 1,500+ miles every year. It was also stored and SORN-ed for a while. The vendor got the car six years ago and has nearly added 15,000 miles in the period. He maintains that the Continental R ‘drives like a dream’. We don’t doubt that!

The opportunity to own what was once the most expensive car on sale doesn’t come very often. And it’s even rarer that the car in question is one that’ll be better out on long drives than sat in storage. This 1994 Bentley Continental R, while not a time-capsule example, is still a lot of car for an estimated £40,000 - £50,000. Its detailed service history is complemented by not too many miles on the clock, and an overall condition that is pleasing and certainly not of a car that’s nearly three decades old.

While rarity and luxury came as a part of the package, what stood out the most about the Continental R when new was its ability to accelerate without letting its weight and size slow it down. In a well-kept example like this, you’d be able to appreciate its pace and still be amazed at how it manages all of that. No wonder Bentley called it ‘the finest sporting coupe in the world’. Truth be told, it still is one of the finest ever made.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. To arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.