1998 | Bentley Azure

The Bentley Azure was launched in 1995 and was based on the platform of the Continental R which had been launched in 1991. The Azure intended to both convey a sense of presence and allow for comfortable seating of four adult passengers. Power came from the company's stalwart 6.75 litre, V8 featuring a single intercooled turbocharger. The gearbox was a General Motors sourced four-speed automatic unit with the Azure capable of 0-60mph in an impressive 6.1 seconds. Owing to the limited space at Bentley's Crewe factory, the Azure was designed and manufactured by Pininfarina, significantly adding to the vehicle's production cost.

This unique and desirable Azure Symbolic Edition is finished in a special-order Mendip Blue (an Aston Martin colour) in deviation from the black that the other six cars were finished in with magnolia leather hide interior. A Mulliner commissioned example; this car had a number of non-standard features spanning two pages on the supplied specification details report. Sitting on 18” chrome wheels, this example also boasts the T-style console, burr walnut veneers, the removal of side repeater flashers, flared arches, Bentley wings in the door waist rails and an uprated 420bhp engine boasting 875nm of torque to mention but a few of the non-standard features from new. The car was originally supplied to Bentley San Diego on 1st May 1998 and imported to the UK in 2018 from Florida with 13,000 miles on the odometer, where the seller stated it had just had a $10,000 overhaul including the replacement of the hood hydraulic lines. Since its arrival in the UK, the car has been cared for by Bowling-Ryan Ltd, Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists in Bolton with the most recent service being completed in August 2022, coupled to previous services in 2018 and 2020. Supplied with handbooks, an MoT test certificate with no advisories valid until April 2025, the Azure is not only one of the best cars to cruise the French Riviera but it is uniquely specified and rare which increases its potential for strong collectable values in the future. Consigned by Mathew Priddy