2002 Bentley Continental R Mulliner Widebody

A rare low production run Bentley in stunning order throughout. Number 130 of a total production run of 148 Comprehensive history file with known ownership from day one RREC aficionado owned and maintained Chosen as Best Example of the Model at the RREC Annual Rally at Burghley House in 2019 A rare low production run Bentley in stunning order throughout Your earliest inspection is encouraged and welcomed Introduced in 1991, the Continental R was the first Bentley in 26 years that did not share its bodywork with a concurrent Rolls-Royce model and was inspired by the very stylish 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. At £175,000, however, this newcomer was one of the world's most expensive cars, although at least it was also one of the fastest. At launch, this latest Continental used the familiar 6.75-litre V8 with a big Garrett turbocharger and an intercooler in the same state of tune as in the Bentley Turbo R. Crewe still declined to provide official power outputs at the time, although it's estimated that around 325bhp was on tap, along with a huge amount of torque. Top speed was governed to 145mph, with 60mph arriving in just 6.6 seconds - all in a car weighing around 2.5 tons, on a 120-inch wheelbase and with an overall length of 17.5 feet! Five years later Bentley introduced a short-wheelbase version dubbed the Continental T that was equipped with an uprated engine developing 420 hp and an impressive 650 foot-pounds of torque available at only 2,200 rpm and it wasn't long before Bentley customers were expressing an interest in equipping the "wide-body" Continental R model with the T's more powerful engine. Shortly afterwards, the Continental R Mulliner was introduced at the 1999 Geneva Salon, its nomenclature paying homage to H.J. Mulliner, the British coachbuilder responsible for the original R-Type's breathtaking fastback bodywork. The R Mulliner's wide-body configuration offered spacious interior elegance restoring the rear legroom lost in the 'T', while the turbocharged V-8 was capable of rocketing the car to a top speed of nearly 170 mph. Individually tailored to customer order, the R Mulliner was Bentley's ultimate 20th-century combination of luxury and performance, produced in a modest quantity of as few as 148 examples. This superb example is finished in Silver Storm over Nero leather and is one of only thirteen produced in 2002 out of a total production run of just sixty-three right-hand-drive cars. Although the dealer's list price was a, not unsubstantial, £225,000 the first owner of this particular 'R' obviously did not leave too many of the boxes on the 'Options List' unticked as the final purchase price just over £242,000 in May 2002. The entire production run (1992 - 2003) amounted to just 148 in 'wide-body' configuration and our vendor's car is Number 130. In exceptional condition throughout and with a recorded mileage of just 32,338, this four owner from new and retired engineer owned Bentley is accompanied by a total and comprehensive service history including detailed invoices and every prior MOT and is offered freshly serviced and with a recently issued MOT Certificate. Our vendor is a very knowledgeable RREC and BDC supporter and although the car is regularly used, it remains beautifully presented as illustrated by being chosen as the Best Example of the Model in the 100 years of Bentley parade at the RREC Annual Rally at Burghley House in 2019. This is an opportunity to acquire one of the very best, if not the best Bentley 'Wide-body' on the road today. These desirable models are rightfully stretching their legs in the classic car market, so don't miss out before these rare sporting Bentleys arrive in six-figure territory. You can now book a one to one appointment (up to one hour) to view this lot at our central location between 16th and 30th July. Please contact Charles Smalley on 07421 007 866 / [email protected] to secure your appointment or to discuss the car in more detail. The health and safety of both our customers and team remains the utmost priority, we are therefore operating to strict COVID-19 guidelines and full instructions for arrival and inspection protocols will be given when making your appointment. Click here for more information Specification: Registration: DG02 NNK Year: 2002 Make: Bentley Model: Continental R Mulliner RHD/LHD: RHD Chassis Number: SCBZB25E52CH01786 Odometer Reading: 32000 miles Engine Capacity: 6750 Engine Number: 103630L410M/T2W Body Colour: Silver Storm Interior Colour: Nero