1998 Bentley

In 1996 Bentley introduced the Continental T, a short wheelbase ultimate sporting version of the highly successful and attractive Continental Coupe series, designed for the modern Bentley buyer of the nineties and penned by Avant Garde designers of the moment John Heffernan and Ken Greenley. As well as losing four inches from the wheelbase, the Continental T featured stiffer suspension, more aggressive body styling with flared arches and in the case of the second series post 1997 cars, a 420 bhp V8 turbocharged engine giving a 170mph top speed.

These later cars, the last Bentleys to be coach-built at the Crewe factory have become highly desirable, featuring the new matrix radiator grille, more stylish sporting seats and a myriad of detail improvements, they were better looking, more sorted and notably quicker.

This Continental T is one of these second series cars, featuring a fantastic specification. It is finished in the nicest colour combination of Black Sapphire (very dark blue) coachwork with Parchment leather, secondary Royal Dark Blue leather and dark blue carpets. Further highlights include the front wing cutouts, chrome 18” wheels and big bore exhaust. It has covered just 45,000 miles with a full history and its immaculate order throughout is a testament to how carefully each owner has used and looked after the Bentley.

The Bentley was supplied when new by the Bentley dealer, Burton House of Sheffield, on the 20 April 1998 as noted in the original service book that accompanies the car. Service stamps confirm that the supplying dealer carried out maintenance as per schedule until 1999 at which point annual servicing was taken over by JCT600 in Leeds as they had taken over the Bentley franchise for this area for Yorkshire. This work again is documented in service book stamps.

In 2009 at 39,000 miles the Bentley was placed in long term storage from which it emerged in 2016 at which point it was purchased by JCT600 who then offered it for sale as an approved used Bentley following a full recommissioning service as detailed in invoicing on file. The Bentley must have been a very good example at this point as it is highly unusual for a Bentley main dealer to involve themselves in a model of this age.

In 2016 the Bentley was purchased by a fastidious Bentley enthusiast from JCT600 at 39,983 miles, who kept it until 2023. An indication of his diligence is the extensive inspection he commissioned on this Continental T and two others. As the inspection on file comments this was by far the nicest of the cars looked at with only a few minor items requiring attention.

Following purchase, the car was sent directly to respected Bentley specialists Hillier Hill with instructions to correct any faults found during the pre-purchase inspection. Extensive invoicing on file from Hillier Hill throughout this ownership indicate perfect maintenance with any item requiring attention however small being immediately attended to.

In 2023, I purchased the Bentley at 44,000 miles, a careful inspection showed just how good this example was compared to others, a perfect specification and in the best condition, wanting for nothing, unlike most others. I quickly sold it without any marketing to a regular and loyal Hairpin customer, a well-known enthusiast with a fine car collection of exceptional quality. I knew he loved the Continental T model and would not be able to resist this car’s sublime colour combination and excellent condition.

Today this Continental T remains in the finest order throughout in all respects and drives superbly as only a low mileage properly maintained example can. Indeed, on a recent trip to the Crewe factory the car was inspected by a Bentley engineer who proclaimed it to be the finest example they had seen for many years. It has now covered 45,000 miles having been lightly used by each owner and comes with a full book pack including the original stamped service book, tool kit, all keys and a comprehensive history file. A new Blaupunkt Bremen retro stereo unit has been fitted featuring Bluetooth and DAB radio this design remaining faithful to the period correct Toronto model. The original stereo unit remains with the car.