1991 Bentley Continental DHC
"Buyers please note that B4 XSE has been put on retention and a new private plate H552 YYY currently sits on the car. The vendor is happy to return B4 XSE to the car if the buyer wishes"
Highlights
- £20,000 specialist restoration 3,000 miles ago
- Very rare Bentley variant of Corniche III
- Full service history supporting low miles
- Maintained by HR Owen from 1991 to 2004 - for which the paperwork accompanies the car
- Recent new suspension spheres and A/C refurbishment
- Well-kept car reflecting investment
- Advisory-free MOT valid until 11th April 2025
The Appeal
Hugely expensive and entirely hand-built, just 452 buyers were lucky enough to own a Rolls-Royce Corniche III. Only a handful of them chose the Bentley-badged version of the car, the illustriously named Continental.
This 1991 example, then, is exceptionally rare. The black roof and paintwork neatly lean into the more understated style sought by those who selected the Bentley over the Rolls. Inside the tasteful theme continues with cream leather piped black to complement the bodywork and rare piano black veneers.
The car has covered just 3,000 miles since a £20,000 restoration in 2010 which included bodywork and an interior refresh, the latter undertaken by ex-Connolly craftsmen. A full service history, most recently less than 300 miles ago, underlines the quality provenance of this car. For many years, it was looked after by HR Owen and since then, has been judiciously maintained by several highly regarded specialists. Recent work includes the replacement of the hydropneumatic suspension spheres and an air conditioning overhall.
The MOT runs until April 2025 and as you'd expect for such a well-presented car, it's free from any advisory items.
The MOT runs until April 2025 and as you'd expect for such a well-presented car, it's free from any advisory items.
This is a superlative example of these rare and collectable cars.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 10th February 1991
- Based on the Corniche III which received revised aesthetics, fuel injection and interior
- Just 452 Corniche III cars were built of which the Bentley variant is exceptionally rare
- Seven registered keepers
- Thick history file showing ongoing maintenance and improvement by renowned specialists
- £20,000 restoration across bodywork and interior in 2010 by Cheshire Classic Cars
- £4,000 mechanical overhaul in 2009
- Serviced with HR Owen from 1991 until 2004 for which extensive paperwork accompanies the car which HR Owen have supplied
- Record of service work between 2007 and 2021 included in the gallery, showing seven services and less than 5,000 miles
- Serviced on 22nd February 2024 by marque specialist Chelsea Workshops
- This visit included attending to various minor items shown in photographs
- Battery replaced and brakes bled with calliper replaced in April 2022
- MOT until 11th April 2025
- 6 recorded keepers, 3 of which are the same family
The Condition
- Smart and understated car in black with a black roof
- Paintwork well kept with no visible marks or scuffs to report
- Bodywork is similarly smart with no signs of corrosion to note
- Underside presents well with no advisories on last MOT for structure
- Black fabric roof in good order with clear rear screen and good headline
- Sits on well-kept Bentley alloy wheels with whitewall tyres
- Cream leather interior with black piping and black trim to match the exterior
- Interior in very good order reflecting 2010 renovation and sparing subsequent use
- Rare piano black veneers well kept
- Cream tonneau cover to match interior
- Three-spoke, non-airbag steering wheel
Ticking the ‘Bentley’ option when ordering a Corniche III indicated the buyer preferred a less ostentatious, more understated style. It's a theme that this car firmly indulges with its handsome black paintwork and similarly tasteful interior.
The quality is clear from the photographs and indicates the high level of refurbishment applied to the car during its 2010 restoration. It has covered very few miles since - only around 3,000 - which explains why it remains in such good condition.
There are few if any signs of use across the car, in particular the well-appointed cream leather interior with its rare piano wood veneers. This car appears to be correctly fitted with the revised ‘Corniche III’ interior including an updated dashboard, console and seats.
The Mechanics
- 6,750cc hand-crafted Rolls-Royce V8 engine with updated Corniche III fuel injection
- 3spd automatic gearbox with column shift
- Large history file with work by main dealers and well-regarded specialists
- £4,000 mechanical overhaul in 2009 with few miles since
- Full service history with seven visits in under 5,000 miles between 2007 and 2021
- Subsequently serviced in February 2024 by specialists Chelsea Workshop
- Attention to battery and brakes in 2022
- Suspension spheres replaced
- Air conditioning overhauled and reportedly working well
- No mechanical issues noted by the vendor
- We understand the car runs and drives without fault
- Impeccably presented engine compartment
The magnificent 6.75l V8 hand-built for this Bentley was so smooth and so effective that it remained in production well into the new Millennium. This later car has the improved fuel injection from the factory.
This car has been sparingly used and the low mileage is fully documented by the history file. The photographs show highlights from this file including a record of seven services in under 5,000 miles between 2007 and 2021 and £4,000 of mechanical fettling in 2009 by specialists.
The car comes to market following a service by Chelsea Workshop in February 2024.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1991
- Make Bentley
- Model Continental
- Colour Black
- Odometer 69,799 Miles
- Engine size 6750
Listing Details
- Seller type Trade
- Town Hove
- Location Sussex
- Country United Kingdom
The Gallery
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