1990 Bentley Continental Convertible
Coachwork by Mulliner Park Ward
Registration no. G24 BJN
Chassis no. SCBZD00A7LCH30100
Engine no. 70598L410/NEL

The incomparable Bentley Continental sports saloon has been synonymous with effortless high speed cruising in the grand manner since its introduction on the R-Type chassis in 1952. This magnificent tradition seemed to have ended with the demise in 1965 of the successor S-Type Continental, only to re-emerge triumphantly in 1984 with the introduction of the T-Series Continental. Flagship of the range, the new Continental was a worthy scion of this noble British family, impeccably engineered and hand-built in the time-honoured manner by Mulliner Park Ward Limited's peerless craftsmen. Like its illustrious forebears, the modern Continental represented the ultimate in bespoke coachbuilt motoring, designed to appeal to those discerning - and necessarily very wealthy - clients with the most refined of tastes, a well developed appreciation for the finer things of life and a refusal to accept anything less than the very best. Far from being an outmoded concept, this uncompromising approach was so successful, and demand for the exclusive Continental so sustained, that it remained in production well into the 1990s, the last (Convertible) examples being delivered in 1995, by which time the UK price had risen to well in excess of £100,000.

The essence of Continental ownership was most aptly summed up by Autosport's inimitable John Bolster. Writing in 1958, Bolster noted that the Continental was a classical design that achieved a high degree of excellence by sheer quality of construction: 'In doing so, it develops an individuality, a character, call it what you will, that makes it entirely different from any other marque. The man who drives a Continental lives in an enchanted world, for everybody calls him 'sir' and he may park where other lesser cars may never tread.' Despite the passage of more than 50 years, Bolster's words ring every bit as true today as they did then.

The current vendor purchased this Continental Convertible from Jack Barclay in 2000, at which time the odometer reading stood at approximately 40,000 miles, to which he has added a further 21,000 or so. The car was serviced initially by a classic car specialist in Taunton and more recently has been looked after by an independent engineer in Porlock. Recent works, carried out in 2013, have included a full repaint, new mohair hood, re-Connollising the interior leather, re-lacquering the interior woodwork and refurbishing the road wheels. Admired by all, the car has given its owner great pleasure over the last 15 years and runs faultlessly, recently completing a run from Porlock to Yorkshire and back. Sold reluctantly on account of the owner's advancing years, this beautiful Bentley Continental is offered with sundry bills, current MoT certificate and a V5C registration document.