1997 Bentley Azure

What you’re looking at is about the size of East Sussex, is ridiculously opulent, luxurious and indulgent, and would have cost £230,000 in 1997.

It is also powerful, capable and mechanically competent, having had over £10,000 spent on all manner of repairs, servicing, fettling and tweaking.

We have driven the car and can attest that it goes about its stately business with a degree of smoothness you’d be hard pressed to find in any other contemporary car.

It glides and shimmies over pot-holes, protrusions and (probably) peasants with all the poise and grace of a lightly Brylcreemed panther.

When asked, it presses on with entirely improbable urge and enthusiasm for one so large and heavy.

One minute it’s Cary Grant, wearing monogrammed silk pyjamas and drinking a cocktail.

The next it’s got a towel round its neck and is punching sides of beef in a Bronx cold store.

The car had a new speedo courtesy of Jack Barclay when the clock was showing 8,000 miles, so we know that the total mileage of 53,453 is genuine.

But it’s not perfect and, despite the money and time spent on it in recent times, there’s still work to be done for anyone who wants it to fully regain all or most of its considerable former glory.

The seller says: "I have spent loads on her, no warning lights came up all the way from Harrow Weald to you [in South Oxfordshire]".

Finished in Black Sapphire with a dark blue fabric hood, the car presents well from every angle, with any flaws or aberrations only revealing themselves upon much closer inspection.

The bodywork is free of any dinks, dents, creases or folds of consequence and the car sits reassuringly squarely and correctly.

The exterior of the fabric hood is very good and the new rear screen is clear and free of any cracks or splits that we can see.

The original 17” Azure alloys, although not entirely free of evidence of kerbing, are in broadly decent condition, although a couple of the tyres are showing cracks in the sidewalls.

The lights, lenses and badging are in decent fettle throughout.

There are one or two minor outbreaks of localised bubbling to be found in places.

There’s an approximately 6” wide circular blemish to the paint on the nearside front section of the bonnet, plus some splits to the paint nearby and signs of previous touch-ups on top of the grille and in various other places.

There are scratches to the o/s/f wheel-arch and some of the chrome trim at the top of the sills is looking a little warped.

There appear to be areas of mismatched paint in places.

The condition of the car’s interior is more a reflection of its age than its low mileage and, although the seats and Magnolia upholstery front and back are in pretty good condition, the leather, wood and fabrics on display look as if they could do with a thorough clean and some overall refreshing.

We found a small hole at the side of the base of the front passenger seat and there is some light wear, creasing and scuffing elsewhere on the leather.

There is a patch of scuffing to the leather on the driver’s side ‘A’ pillar.

The hood goes up and down and fits snugly, although there is some scuffing to the leather housing the roof mechanism and the recesses in which the roof stows.  The lining of the roof is a little loose at the sides.

Save for some light scuffing, the door cards are decent. So, too, are the carpets and the thick lambswool over-rugs.

The light wood veneers remain undoubtedly attractive but there is some peeling and cracked lacquer, and one or two splits to the veneer can be seen on the dashboard, centre console and door cappings.

The roof lining is sagging a little in places, the passenger seat release lever is not working, the handbrake release lever needs re-attaching and, in the unfeasibly compact boot, the carpet under the lid is drooping.

As far as we’re aware, all dials, knobs, switches, levers and instruments are fully functional and do what they’re supposed to do with the exception of the roof switch which takes some jiggling in order for it to work.

The engine bay looks clean, dry and fresh and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car also look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity.

The front suspension sit a little low, possibly the upper strut bushings have deteriorated, which is common on these. The seller says "I don't think the suspension is much of an issue. The parts are not that expensive, probably £500 ish".

The battery drains quickly without being on a charger, suggesting that perhaps a new battery may be needed and also the main isolator switch doesn't seem to function as intended. We note that the offside hubcaps rattle when the car is being driven.
 

The vehicle has a comprehensive Bentley main dealer service history from new with the original stamped service book, detailed invoices and expired MoTs.

There are numerous bills, invoices and receipts attesting to significant work carried out on the car by specialists over the last decade or so.

The car comes with full sets of keys, a service book pack, a clear HPI report and an MoT, with no advisories whatsoever, that’s valid until November 2026.

With less than 54,000 miles under its various belts, this 1997 Bentley Azure is effectively barely run-in.

Yes, there are a few cosmetic issues to attend to but the car has had plenty of money spent on its mechanical well-being recently and has a very good service history.

However you look at it, you’ll be getting a whole lot of very impressive, exclusive and capable car for rather less than the £230,000 it originally cost.  

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £45,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.