Lot number | 160 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £28,000 |
Description | Bentley Continental GT |
Registration | FJ06 OBE |
Year | 2006 |
Colour | Cypress Green |
Engine size | 5,998 cc |
Chassis No. | SCBCE63WX6C037178 |
Engine No. | 019223 |
Following the takeover of Bentley by the Volkswagen Group in 1998, a radical and comprehensive model revision programme was put into place.
The existing range was still using a derivative of the ancient 6,750cc V8 first employed in the 1959 Silver Cloud S2, while the body was largely that of a late Sixties Silver Shadow. Something had to be done and, in typical Bentley fashion, they came up with a stormer.
Under the guidance of Dirk Van Braeckel, a svelte 4-seater 2-door coupe was unveiled in 2003. The car was new from top to bottom and featured a 5,998cc W12 engine. This configuration kept the engine short, whilst two massive turbo chargers ensured a monumental 560bhp and 479 lb/ft of torque, developed from just 1,600rpm all the way up to the red line of 6,100rpm.
Power was transmitted to all four wheels via a 6-speed ZF gearbox, a combination of grip and grunt that endowed the 2.35-tonne leviathan with tremendous pace, 60mph coming up in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed just shy of 200mph, all delivered without a ripple on a glass of champagne.
Ecstatically received by press and public alike (“with all that torque you feel you are moving the earth rather than the car”, said one journalist), the Continental GT won many plaudits including ‘Grand Tourer of the Year’, ‘Most Significant Production Car Design’ and, more pertinently for this sale, it has twice won ‘Classic Car of the Future’ awards.
The wonderful Bentley GT we have in our sale today was first registered in Mach 2006 and has had just four owners to date. Looking discreetly purposeful in Cypress Green, the interior is trimmed with Portland and Spruce leather. It is loaded with all the usual Bentley extras plus TV, phone, satellite navigation and keyless entry and go.
With 65,500 miles under its boots, it shows 11 stamps in the service book, the last at 62,000 miles in July 2014. By a stroke of luck it was registered just three weeks before the Vehicle Excise & Duty rates changed, so costs only £285 to tax, as opposed to £500 on newer Bentleys; quite a saving if it is to be a ‘high days and holidays’ only car.
Supplied with all its original handbooks plus two sets of keys, it is MOTd until February 2016 and is said to be “virtually unmarked and drives superbly”.
Please note the private number plate shown will be replaced by the original number, FJ06 OBE, shortly before the sale.