1998 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL 'T'                          Regis...

Estimate

£77,000 - £83,000

1998 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL 'T'                         

Registration Number: R613 FGJ
Chassis Number: SCBZU26C2WCH67015
Recorded Mileage: 54,900 miles                           

In a clear move to break free from the architecture shared by contemporary Rolls-Royce models, Bentley’s resurgence as an important brand in its own right was anchored in the new 1985 Geneva Motor Show car. ‘Project 90’ was intended to gauge opinion as to a planned move into the high-performance car market. This concept ultimately became the Continental R, launched to unanimous praise in 1991. The new R looked every bit a Bentley, albeit one restated for the 1990s, with performance to match. The new wind-cheating shape reduced the 0-60mph time to 6.2 seconds and upped top speed to in excess of 150mph.

This was just the start, the Continental T, introduced in June 1996, was a short-wheelbase version of the Continental R with 400bhp, flared arches and an aggressive stance on its 18" wheels, every inch the thoroughbred Bentley sports car. The interior treatment was redolent of Bentley offerings from its 1920s heyday, with an engine-turned aluminium fascia and push button starter.

The T was a brutal hand-built statement of intent, boasting a £250,000 price tag that made it the most expensive car in the world. Road & Track magazine described it as ‘totally over the top’. Continental Ts built from 1998–2003 were graced with 20 additional horsepower, raising top speed to 168 mph. In total, just 322 examples were built, with only 104 of these built to RHD specifications.

This impressive low mileage example was first registered in December 1997 for the 1998 model year, finished in Black Sapphire Pearl coachwork with a full black hide, gloss black piano interior trim and matching black 18 inch alloy wheels. Supplied by London distributor Jack Barclay, the Bentley has had just four owners from new.

The ‘T’ has enjoyed a total of 14 scheduled services - the first four visits were made to Jack Barclay, two with the Bentley Service Centre in London, five more at Bentley of Manchester, one with Frank Dale & Stepsons, and the last two courtesy of local specialist Harris Garages of Gwynedd. The last full service was performed in late 2021 at 54,401 miles, the current reading being approximately 54,900 miles.

This high-octane Bentley is supplied with its leather service book/manual, leather owner’s handbook, and with an MoT certificate valid to November 2022. The Continental T was arguably amongst the last of the ‘real’ Bentleys, and we feel confident one with a promising future in the classic car market.