• Offered from the Youngtimer Collection
• One of only 73 Continental SCs built
• U.S.-specification example, delivered new to California
• Less than 13,500 miles from new

The Bentley Continental Sedanca Coupe was unveiled to the public in September 1998 and revived a name that had been dormant since the 1920s and 1930s. Specifically, ‘Sedanca’ referred to the removable roof section above the driver and front-seat passenger that permitted early car enthusiasts to experience open-air motoring with the convenience of a closed cabin when required. For the modern interpretation, Bentley incorporated a highly advanced glass roof design that permitted levels of refinement unimaginable to the drivers of its predecessors, with two removable glass front panels and a further fixed glass panel over the rear seats. When not in place, the panels store into a compartment in the boot.

Mechanically, it was based upon the concurrent Continental T Mulliner and featured the same shortened wheelbase, wider front and rear wheel arches, and fettled 6.75-litre turbocharged V-8 engine, producing 420 bhp and a staggering 881 Nm of torque. The sprint to 60 mph was dispatched in a shade over six seconds, and flat out the car could achieve 170 mph. Unsurprisingly, with a price tag of £257,325 at launch, the car was the reserve of the very well heeled indeed, and just 73 were produced.

This particular Sedanca Coupe has spent the majority of its life in the USA, and it was first delivered to California in 1999. It resided there until late 2001, when it was purchased showing 3,261 miles by a gentleman from New York who subsequently enjoyed the car for ten years, during which time he covered just under ten thousand miles. More recently, it passed into the ownership of a gentleman in Utah, who purchased the car in 2011 when it had covered 12,162 miles. Its current owner acquired the car in late 2016 and exported it to Switzerland with a mileage of 13,427, and despite seeing little use since, it has always been maintained correctly. It is specified in metallic black with chrome wheels and sandstone leather interior, complemented by turned aluminium dashboard and trims.

The Contintenal R–based Bentleys were the last of the hand-built Bentleys, and the Sedanca Coupe is the jewel of the series. They are rarely offered on the open market, and this low-mileage example is worthy of serious consideration. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.