2010 Bentley Flying Spur Speed

First registered on the 5th of November 2010, this wonderful ‘triple black’ Beluga Black Flying Spur Speed is fitted with a Beluga Black hide interior with Mulliner-spec quilted Nappa leather seats and door cards and black piano wood trim to complete the interior specification.

The car was pre-registered by Jack Barclay of London before being sold to the managing director of the Ritz Hotel in London. Chauffeur-driven while in his hands, the car passed to the vendor in August 2019. He has a significant collection of classic cars and while he doesn’t keep any of them for long, he always buys the very best example he can find – and this one is certainly that.

A very high spec car it features rear privacy blinds, soft-close doors, a sunroof, and heated power seats to the both the front and the rear in addition to the very desirable and rare ‘Speed’ upgrades that include more power and firmer suspension.

If the Beluga Black coachwork can’t be described as pristine then it only misses qualifying by a hair’s-breadth – and a blonde hair, at that. Free of even minor dents and dinks, you’d never know that this car had lived the first nine years of its life in central London – but then we’re guessing the presence of an ex-copper behind the wheel probably helped discourage errant drivers from straying too close…

So, it’s still got its original panel alignment, shutlines and dealer numberplates; taken together, we think it would be safe to conclude that this is a car whose life has been lived very gently indeed.

The optional sunroof sits in the aperture well, sealing tightly and opening and closing to order. It still sits on the original 20-inch Speed alloy wheels too. These are in a fantastic condition and are shod with four recent Pirelli tyres, all of which still have good tread.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you an insight into their attitude towards maintenance.

Faults? Well, a fastidious owner might find the odd stonechip or minor mark but we’re pretty sure that everyone else is going to be stunned by its condition and lack of blemishes.

The interior might be a touch on the dark side but by heck it’s gorgeous with the Mulliner-spec Nappa leather seats being a real highlight, luxurious but suitably discreet. In wonderful condition, the only noticeable wear is to the outer edge of the driver’s seat, presumably as a result of the chauffeur sitting in there for hours at a time waiting for the car’s owner to reappear.

But, a car like this is as much about pampering the rear-seat occupants as rewarding the driver and this example doesn’t disappoint. With barely creased electrically adjustable and heated leather seats, legroom is vast and the rear-seat passengers have their own air-conditioning system in addition to rear sunblinds and a remote control for the sound system.

The boot is ridiculously clean and well organised and is home to two recent batteries, the unused space-saver spare wheel, tool kit, and warning triangle.

As for the rest, it’s all exactly as you’d expect so is unmarked, works as it should and looks sensational. Boring to both read and to write, it is, however, exactly what you want to hear when you’re considering spending this sort of money on a luxury, high-performance car.

Stuffed full of electronic toys and gizmos, our favourite features are probably the Breitling clock in the dashboard, the ‘Speed’-engraved sill plates, the alloy pedals, and the Bentley-branded car telephone in the armrest. But, while former works as it should, the latter is untested.

The engine bay is beautifully detailed in its initial execution and the way it has been maintained over the past decade.

Running beautifully and driving as it should, it needs nothing other than fuel and a keen driver to exploit its staggering performance and the sure-footed, four-wheel-drive chassis.

The underside might be a little grubby (for that you can blame the recent inclement weather…) but it is straight, undamaged, and free of rust and corrosion.

The servicing regimen is as impressive as the rest of the car, comprising a large number of expensive services totally something in the region of £25,000 since 2017. As the owner himself puts it: “it’s been over-serviced”, an understatement if ever we’ve heard one…

Please see the invoices themselves for full details but it’s fair to say that money was not an obstacle in maintaining this Flying Spur over its short lifetime.

Interestingly, the vendor ran into the Bentley’s former owner in London earlier in the year, and he was told that he only had fond memories of the car.

As you might have predicted, the Bentley’s MOT certificate, which is new and valid until July 2021, was gained without a single advisory point, something it’s been doing, well, forever.

It has its stamped service history, quick reference guide, and leather storage wallet. It also comes with three sets of keys and a trickle charger.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to an impeccable standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

We’ve previously expressed our admiration for the Bentley Continental GT and we feel exactly the same way about the Flying Spur Speed: it’s the car of a lifetime as long as you buy the right example.

But, while there are plenty of cheap, high-mileage cars out there, there are no bargains; few cars can bankrupt an unwary owner as fast as a full-fat Bentley and most of the cars we see are cheap for a variety of very good reasons...

Not this one, which is a low-mileage, pampered example that has been well looked after and serviced by people who know what they’re doing. As such, it’s exactly the sort of vehicle you want to buy if you’ve always promised yourself something with a W12 engine under the bonnet.

And what’s it going to cost you? Well, the car’s first owner probably paid north of £200,000 for it ten years ago during which time we calculate it will have lost the thick end of £160,000…

That would have been bad news for him but very, very good news for you because it’s highly unlikely that the price of good cars – and this is probably the best on sale today – is going to fall significantly in the medium-to-long term. Our estimate is £28,000 -38,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.