2004 Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT is one of the most important modern Bentleys produced, and immediately received a good deal of critical acclaim on its launch. It soon became the go-to status symbol for footballers, Hollywood wives and rap stars – and who can blame them?

These are seriously impressive vehicles, combining gentleman’s club interiors with the ability to pull like an F15. You can either waft loftily past lesser cars, progressing in a stately manner courtesy of the Bentley’s quiet and unassuming automatic gearbox. Or you can switch the car into Sports mode and ride a tidal wave or torque that will hurtle you towards the horizon faster than your eyeballs can compute.

This one is in very smart condition inside and out. It has good history, and is a well documented car in good condition for an early Continental GT. It starts and runs well, with no warning lights showing on the dash.

The dark blue paintwork on this car is in fine fettle, with the only blemish we spotted being a parking scuff on the nearside rear bumper. It’s a slippery and imposing shape, and one that exudes heft and cool without really trying.

The Bentley alloy wheels show some very light kerb damage here and there, but are generally in good shape too. Have a look at the pictures, but we think a few localized repairs could improve them beyond measure.

The large sloping nose, with its iconic grille, looks blemish free, with no signs of paintwork blemishes that we could spot, and all the light lenses are clear and free of damage.

Other than that there’s nothing to report. Everything looks straight and true, with no signs we could see of any panel damage or previous repairs having been carried out.

Bentley did a great job with the leather in these cars. Modern leather is so processed and refined it sometimes manages to almost look synthetic, but this is leather like it used to be – thick, luscious and sumptuous. Just as it should be in a Bentley, obviously.

The driver’s seat shows some signs of use, particularly on the bolster, and we think a deep clean and some hide food would be a great step, but generally speaking the interior is in beautiful condition, and a fine place to sit and gaze down the long bonnet, as it disappears from view and slopes away.

There are a few dirty marks on some of the floor mats, but again, a decent detailer should be able to get rid of these.

The dash and facias all look just as they should, with the original Bentley audio system still in place. The standard satellite navigation system still functions as it should.

Inside the boot the factory-fitted space saver spare wheel is present, inflated and correct, and it’s complimented by the original tool kit and folding warning triangle.

Powered by a then all-new 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the Continental produces a mighty 560bhp and 479lbft of torque – enough to shove the 2.5 ton car to 60mph in a simply brutal 4.3 seconds. You may be wondering what a W12 engine is, as it doesn’t really look like a W when you open the bonnet. But then VW’s VR6 engine doesn’t look like a V6 either, as one cylinder head sits over both banks of a very narrow Vee.

VW made the W12 by mating two narrow-angle 15° VR6 engines at an inclined angle of 72°. The narrow angle of each set of cylinders allows just two overhead camshafts to drive each pair of banks, so the W12 engine has the same number of cams as a more conventional quad-cam V12. However, the W12 is much more compact – the overall size of the 6-litre powerhouse is smaller than Volkswagen's contemporary 4.2-litre V8. Clever stuff.

As you can tell from the video (although the aural experience is better in the flesh) the engine starts and runs beautifully, and, while subdued as you’d expect on a car of this class, the exhaust note has a deep resonance that hints at the staggering power on hand.

Of course, power is nothing without control, and the Continental employs a six speed auto 'box and all-wheel drive to transmit this phenomenal amount of grunt on to the tarmac.

Under the bonnet 12 huge alloy inlet tracts sprout from two plenums to feed the W12. Thanks goodness for a lack of plastic covers – who wouldn’t want to see this? W.O. Bentley would approve, we reckon.

Aside from some every light surface blemishing on some of the alloy parts, everything looks excellent under here, although we don’t imagine this is an engine bay that will need much attention other than regular servicing at this low mileage.

The car’s underside looks sound and undamaged, with nothing we could see to worry about whatsoever.

This Continental comes with a full service history, the work being carried out by famous Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist Jack Barclay up until the 32,000 mile mark, after which other specialists stepped in and looked after the car regularly.

In addition the following invoices for recent work are included, along with a large pile of older ones.

• 2020. Full service including all fluids and filters, plus new battery. £1574.
• 2020. Investigate and rectify door opening problems, fit two new door handles. £1461.
• 2021. Servicing work. £1114.
• 2021. Fit 12 new spark plugs £226.
• 2021. Repair parking brake, fit two new motors. £888.
• 2021. Fit new front brake discs and pads. £1637.
• 2022. Supply new offside door glass regulator and replacement motor. £1041.
• 2022. Fit new offside door glass regulator and replacement motor. £1034.

The current owner has covered 7000 miles in the car and says:

‘I purchased the car about two years ago. The high end cars specialist garage that I’ve used for over 50 years had a customer going through a divorce, and they needed to sell this car.

‘When I bought the Bentley it had 43,000 miles on the clock and a good service history. I thought the colour inside and out was just magnificent – as was the condition.

‘Sadly I’ve now got problems with my knees and it’s become a major issue getting in and out of the car.

‘The car is totally 100% original and in tip-top shape in every respect.’

Please note that the vendor is retaining the private plate that the car wears in the photos; upon sale it will revert to an age-related registration.

There is no sporting coupé as imposing as a Bentley Continental GT, and this low mileage and extremely well looked after example represents a fantastic opportunity to own a two and a half ton chunk of motoring history – something to tell your grandkids about when they waft in on their electric three wheelers. We think it will sell in the £16,500-£21,500 range.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.