Introduced in 1991, the Continental R was the first Bentley in 26 years to not share a body style with a concurrent Rolls-Royce and was inspired by the highly collectable Continental R-Type of the 1950s. The elegant two-door coachwork was styled by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley, a duo whose résumé included sports cars like the Aston Martin Virage. Five years later, Bentley introduced a short-wheelbase version dubbed the Continental T that was equipped with an uprated engine developing 420bhp and an impressive 650lb/ft of torque available at only 2,200rpm. Bentley customers soon expressed an interest in equipping the wide-body Continental R model with the T’s more powerful engine, and the Continental R Mulliner was consequently introduced at the 1999 Geneva Salon. Production ran from 1999 until 2003 with just 131 examples being built and they are often regarded as one of the last real Bentleys produced before the company's acquisition by Volkswagen.

The example presented here is a 2001 Bentley Continental R wide-bodied Mulliner Coupé (SCBZB25EX1CH63540) that has covered just 44,775 miles over the last 21 years. According to the Bentley Vehicle Specification sheets, the car is finished in Black Sapphire which basically is a very dark blue. The interior looks simply fabulous in a combination of French Navy and Barley hides with dark blue carpets, dark blue lambs wool rugs and burr walnut veneers. The spec/option sheet runs to two A4 pages and makes fascinating reading.

The car was purchased from Silverstone Auctions around 18 months ago with an indicated 43,765 miles and despite the fact that our fastidious vendor has only covered just over 1,000 miles in that time, he has spared no expense on service and maintenance in that period - some £15,000. Entrusted to H R Owen, Cheltenham they completed a major service on the car in 2021 replacing anything that wasn't up to standard. The Bentley also received four new tyres, an ECU reprogram, and has again had its annual service in May this year.

In exceptional condition throughout having been maintained and stored regardless of cost, and in a delightful colour combination, this elegant Bentley is accompanied by a total and comprehensive service history including detailed invoices and numerous MOT Certificates.

This is an opportunity to acquire one of the very best Bentley Wide Body examples on the road today.