2007 Bentley Continental GTC

Finished in what is probably the very nicest colour combination of them all, this this 2008MY Bentley Continental GTC Mulliner is finished in Diamond Black Metallic with a black hood, a Portland and Beluga leather interior, and the extended Piano Black trim option.

The first owner put a little more than 3,000 + miles under its wheels before passing it on to the vendor. He’s covered the rest, extending his Bentley warranty for as long as possible, which meant keeping it serviced within the main dealer network: He only moved to a “wonderful” independent specialist when this warranty expired.

Still showing fewer than 25,000 miles on the clock, it is so beloved (“It’s been treated like a baby”) it has predominantly been used only on bright and dry days.

The Diamond Black Metallic coachwork is stunning. Black is the most unforgiving of all shades, ruthlessly highlighting even minor perfections, so the fact this one looks so good speaks volumes about the quality of its curation.

And Bentley build quality, of course, because the shutlines are tight and consistent and the swagelines are spot-on. The chrome grille, which isn’t a standard item, subtly lifts the Bentley’s discreet specification.

The seven-spoke, 20-inch Mulliner alloy wheels are in fine shape, and they’re shod with matching Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres, which is always a good sign and generally indicates a mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

Oh, and there is a spare set of centre caps for the wheels in the boot, just in case.

The black folding roof is constructed to the same high standards as the rest of the Continental, which is to say you’d struggle to notice you weren’t in a coupé with it raised, so well does it fit and so lavish its composition.

Of course, it tucks itself neatly away at the touch of a button, rising majestically when the weather turns. It’s free of rips, tears, and other damage and the rear screen, made of glass, of course, contains a heating element.

The underside of the roof is finished in a light grey material to match the rest of the interior, and it is as bright and fresh and clean as everywhere else.

Lamp lenses, window glass, windscreen, and badges are all equally good. But then you knew that, didn’t you?

This means that what flaws it does have are surprisingly few, especially when you remember it’ll never see sixteen again. How few? Well, the offside front alloy wheel has a couple of small marks on it. That’s pretty much it.

The interior is no less impressive. Portland and Beluga leather is a great choice, and we salute the original purchaser for their good taste – and raise a glass to the vendor too, because he’s kept it looking like new ever since.

The heated front seats – quilted and embroidered, of course, because it’s a Mulliner - are electrically adjustable in more ways than you can count. Both have a three-position memory plus adjustable lumber support.

They also have a massage function, too. What a time to be alive, eh?

They’re also still plump and comfortable and hugely supportive; this is, you’ll remember, a car whose mission statement is to go very fast in total luxury, and balancing the competing demands of B-road blasts with inter-continental travel interspersed with jaunts to Glyndebourne is tricky.

Bentley did it though, and it managed to dial in longevity, too.

The two rear seats are in an even better state of preservation, and while the legroom is tight the resulting feeling of being cocooned is one your children or grandchildren are bound to enjoy, especially snuggled under a blanket as you race through a snowy night with the roof down.

Beluga Black leather coats the dashboard and the Piano Black wood trim extends into the rear, an extra-cost option when the car was new.

The infotainment system contains TV, sat-nav and Bluetooth connectivity in addition to the usual musical provision. There’s the iconic Breitling clock too, plus ‘Coming Home’ controls and leather that boasts some of the neatest stitching in the business.

A detachable wind deflector should help keep your hair unruffled even at licence-losing speeds.

The boot contains the (apparently unused) tool kit and space saver spare wheel, plus an indoor car cover. Lifting the (very good) carpet shows only solid metal underneath. The boot lid not only plays host to the warning triangle but has the power-closing option.

Flaws are few. The outer edge of the driver’s seat has softened just a little but that that is the extent of the work that needs doing is remarkable.

The Bentley’s maintenance history is recorded in the service history book and the invoices in the history file as follows:

• 01.10.2007 and 25 miles – pre-delivery inspection by Bentley Leicester
• 29.09.2008 and 2,791 miles – annual service by Bentley Leicester
• 28.09.2009 and 4,868 miles – three-year service by Broughton’s of Surrey
• 19.10.2010 and 7,181 miles – three-year service by Broughton’s of Surrey
• 21.10.2011 and 8,650 miles – four-year service by Broughton’s of Surrey
• 23.10.2012 and 9,750 miles – five-year service by Bentley Leicester
• 24.10.2013 and 10,711 miles – six-year service by Bentley Leicester
• 23.10.2014 and 12,386 miles – seven-year service by Bentley Surrey plus £6,450 for the 36-month extended warranty!
• 22.10.2015 and 13,319 miles – eight-year service by Bentley Surrey
• 18.10.2016 and 16,500 miles – 4+ nine-year service by Bentley Surrey
• 24.10.2017 and 19,127 miles – 4+ ten-year service by Bentley Surrey
• 24.10.2018 and 20,357 miles – 4+ minor service by Bentley Surrey
• 15.11.2019 and 21,137 miles – 4+ major service by Bentley Surrey
• 29.04.2021 and 21,951 miles – service by Bradshaw Bentley Services, a company set up by a former technician of Bentley Surrey, who knew the car very well
• 29.09.2021 and 22,929 miles – replace both front tyres and reset TPMS by Bentley Surrey
• 30.08.2022 and 23,768 miles – service by Bradshaw Bentley Services including a new roof motor at a total cost of £906

As you can see, it starts well, idles beautifully, and responds to the throttle like the thoroughbred it is. That the seller tells us that it has “always been driven carefully and never abused” doesn’t come as a surprise, does it?

The engine bay is clean and nicely presented, while the underside looks strong and solid.

The seller thinks it may need a new battery at some point but otherwise describes it as being in “apple pie order”.

The Bentley’s MoT certificate is valid until October 2023.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the Bentley comes with the book pack and wallet, stamped service history booklet, DVD for the sat-nav, and plenty of old invoices and MoT certificates.

It’s even still got the specification sheet and two key fobs. This is a very well curated example.

You, like us, have probably considered buying a Bentley Continental GTC - and why not? The combination of other-worldly luxury alongside a sure-footed chassis and intercontinental ballistic missile performance is a seductive proposition.

And yet, few of us are daft enough to actually 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 GTC that appeals to the head AND the heart: It looks magnificent, has an interior to die for, and has an impeccable service history.

Plus, the fact it’s a Mulliner with one of the best colour combinations we’ve ever seen, should further bolster its residuals – and let’s not forget its long-term ownership makes it the antithesis of the under-the-arches Continentals that haunt the lower end of the spectrum…

And how much will you be gambling?

Less than you imagine because our best guess is that the virtual hammer will fall towards the top-end of our £40,000 and £50,000 estimate, which might be a shade more than usual but we defy you to find a better one.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online 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’.