1993 Bentley Continental R - Rolex Edition

Although launched at the Geneva Salon of 1991, many elements of the John Heffernan/Ken Greenley-penned Continental R had been seen at the same event as far back as 1984, when Bentley unveiled their `Project 90' concept car; a suitably enthusiastic reception leading the company to develop the car for production. The new car was based on the Turbo R floor-pan and powered by that model's 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 engine, which was believed (the Rolls-Royce/Bentley company of the day never quoted horsepower figures) to produce in the region of 325bhp fed through the, then new, 4-speed GM 4L80-E transmission. Whatever the power output, it was sufficient to give a top speed of some 150mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of around 6.6 seconds - no mean feat for a car weighing in at some 2.5 tons and the best of any Bentley in its day. Unlike all other Bentleys since the S3 of 1965, its body was unique to the marque and not shared with any model of Rolls-Royce. All Continental Rs were finished and trimmed by Rolls-Royce’s Mulliner Park Ward subsidiary and carried MPW builder’s plates, with the bodies being assembled by hand from machine-pressed panels. The Continental R was produced from 1991 to 2003, during which time some 1,290 of these exclusive motor cars found comfortable homes.

Supplied new by Jack Barclay, Mayfair this 1993 Bentley Continental R was ordered with special Emerald Green paintwork, Parchment leather upholstery with matching Conifer carpets and Lambs-wool rugs. The order came from the CEO of Rolex at the time and the colour scheme matched the company brand with a high factory specification. This included extended leather across many fittings, Burr Walnut veneer inlays, picnic tables, factory fitted Blaupunkt television and a three-spoke leather steering wheel.

It's accompanied by a large, detailed history file including the original purchase invoice, order sheet, sales brochure and pre-delivery testing sheets and tool kit. The original book pack is also present along with Owner’s Manuals and service book showing 26 service stamps, 23 of which are by Bentley main agents. At the time of cataloguing this Continental R had covered just over 30,500 miles and has clearly been very well maintained over the years regardless of distance covered.

A list price in excess of £170,000 in 1993 earnt Bentley's Continental R the title of 'The World’s Most Expensive Production Vehicle' - it was Bentleys first stand-alone model for decades and the Continental represented the pinnacle of hand-built British luxury automobiles at the time. Manufacturers do not and simply cannot build vehicles like this anymore.

Available here is a truly unique example with an interesting history showcasing two of the worlds most iconic brands, Bentley and Rolex. A fine motorcar that will continue to attract all the right attention arriving at any sophisticated function or anywhere else for that matter.