2006 Bentley Continental GT Diamond Series

One of just 400 Diamond Series 2007MY cars built to mark the firm’s 60th anniversary of building cars at Crewe, ‘W12 PWS’ is a limited edition based on the already ultra-high-end Mulliner GT Driving Specification.

To this end it features vast carbon ceramic brake discs behind model-specific 20-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels, and a Mulliner alloy fuel filler cap. Three colours were offered, Moroccan Blue, Anthracite, and Meteor with the car you’re looking at here being finished in Anthracite with a two-tone Portland and Beluga hide interior plus the upgraded Piano Black veneer (a darker than normal burr walnut was also offered). 

Other upgrades include drilled alloy pedals, the gearlever being finished in knurled chrome and hide, diamond-quilted seats, door cards, and rear trim panels, an indented headlining, and plenty of badges and embroidery to distinguish your car from standard versions.

In the care of the seller since 2021, it’s only being offered for sale because he’s just retired and will be spending most of his time overseas.

The combination of Anthracite paintwork, tight and consistent shutlines, and those huge 14-spoke wheels works brilliantly, doesn’t it? You can say what you like about the Continental GT but there’s no denying the fact Bentley managed to maintain its reputation for quality control even after increasing production.

It helps, of course, that this one has such a low mileage and has clearly been cherished – but then who wouldn’t cherish a car that cost this much when it was new? And that’s the thing about a Continental GT; they’re generally bought by people who love cars and for whom an investment on this scale must be protected.

Like those alloy wheels. Where lesser cars get bumped up and down and even scraped along kerbs, these have been carefully eased into parking spaces and that diligent curation makes itself known by way of very clean wheels with only the odd small mark on them.

It also reveals itself by way of a matching set of 275/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero tyres because our experience is that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

The lamp lenses are all good too, as are the window glass, windscreen, and the badges, including the subdued Union flags on the front wings that form part of the 60th anniversary badging. 

The rear spoiler deploys as it should too, which means there’s nothing for the new owner to sort out. Happy days, eh?

The cabin is sumptuously trimmed in a fetching combination of Portland and Beluga hide. Lots of it, and often in places you might not expect to find it; instead of playing Hide and Seek (d’ya see what we did there?) it might be easier to scroll through the specification sheet. 

All three pages of it.

It’s got chrome and lashings of Piano Black veneer. All of which has been as meticulously curated as it was installed. You can say what you like about the Continental GT but…yada, yada, yada.

Which means the only visible wear is to the outside bolster on the driver’s seat – and the fact we can mention that so early in the advert tells you everything you need to know about the rest.

The 60th anniversary sill plates are present and correct, as are the drilled alloy pedals, knurled gearknob, Bentley name on the seats, and diamond-quilted leather.

As is the usual stuff like a Breitling clock, a period Bentley-branded mobile phone, and a 200mph speedometer, and nothing explains the Continental’s target audience better than that triumvirate. 

The boot is every bit as luxuriously appointed as the cockpit and still contains the hazard warning triangle. It has also been fitted with a fixed cable to attach a battery conditioner, something that’s essential on the power-hungry Conti if you don’t drive it every day.

Aside from the (gentle) wear to the driver’s seat the only other cosmetic flaws we can see are some indentations to the door cards and the padded leather trim panel under the steering wheel. None are especially noticeable and probably stand out more than they might otherwise because the rest of the cabin is so good.

The service history booklet records the following:

• 23.10.2006 – pre-delivery inspection by Bentley Essex
• 09.01.2007 and 682 miles – service by Bentley Essex
• 05.12.2007 and 6,741 miles – service by Bentley Essex
• 21.10.2008 and 13,309 miles – service by Bentley Essex
• 14.10.2009 and 21,213 miles – service by Bentley Essex
• 25.08.2010 and 28,789 miles – service by Bentley Essex
• 26.08.2011 and 33,335 miles – service by Bentley Pangbourne
• 25.06.2012 and 41,315 miles – service by Bentley Pangbourne
• 23.07.2013 and 44,787 miles – service by Bentley Cheltenham
• 24.08.2016 and 54,585 miles – service by Bentley Bristol
• 16.05.2018 and 57,798 miles – service by Bentley Bristol
• 22.06.2021 and 62,740 miles – service by Prestige Services, an independent Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist in Leeds who carried out the ten-year service as part of the sale including four new tyres and a full set of 12 sparkplugs
• 21.07.2022 and 67,282 miles – service by Bentley Leeds
• 30.05.2023 and 69,784 miles – service by Dryclough Lane Garage
• 16.04.2024 and 72,078 miles – service by Read Garage Ltd

Interestingly, the seller tells us that having his Continental GT serviced at a Bentley dealership was cheaper at the time than getting it done at an independent specialist as they have a fixed price menu for older models, something the new owner might want to bear in mind! 

Recent services have been carried out by the same Mercedes-Benz/AMG specialist he bought his SL from and the care with which he services the seller’s cars is hinted at by way of a very clean engine.

Also, in how well the six-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine fires up and idles, as you can see. The seller tells us that his dream car has lived up to every one of his expectations, calling it “euphoric’ and imperious singling out those carbon ceramic brakes for special praise – once you’ve got used to how well they bite, that is.

The underside looks good and strong too, and no MoT tester has ever questioned the Bentley’s structural integrity. As we might have already mentioned, you can say what you like about the Continental GT but…

The Bentley’s MoT certificate is valid until April 2025, and it was issued, like every one bar two, with no advisories.

And the outliers? They were for having undertrays fitted, and a perished seal on a fuel filler cap. Not exactly capital offences, are they?

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes a copy of the original specification, the Bentley book pack and wallet, and a bunch old invoices and expired MoT certificates.

NB: the private number ‘W12 PWS’ is being retained and the original DVLA number of ‘RY56 RYJ’ will be refitted. Unless, of course, you make him an offer he can’t refuse.

The Bentley Continental GT’s combination of other-worldly luxury alongside a sure-footed chassis and intercontinental ballistic missile performance makes it a very seductive proposition.

And yet, few of us are daft enough to follow through, prudence and cowardice conspiring to steer us towards the mid-market Ford Focus that everyone buys because that’s the sensible solution.

But sensible be damned because here is a Bentley Continental GT that appeals to the head AND the heart: It looks magnificent, has an interior to die for, and the cosmetics are backed up by an impeccable service and MoT history.

How much will you be gambling? 

Probably less than you think because our best guess is that the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.