Description

1996 Bentley Azure

From a deceased estate and little used since 2018, 60 TXB needs minor recommissioning to get fully back to it’s former glory; huge service history

The Azure was launched in 1995 and cost £215,000 in the UK. Hailed by its maker as, 'the world's best convertible' it also happened to be the ‘world’s most expensive convertible’. Pininfarina, the famous design house, were chosen to develop the Azure on the four-seater Continental R platform, and the result was stunning.

The bodyshells, assembled in Italy by Pininfarina, came fitted with an automatic soft-top, painted and then shipped back for finishing at Crewe. Mechanically it was similar to the Continental R, but its 6.75-litre turbo-charged V8 engine was further up-rated to 385bhp.

The quantity and quality of hide and walnut from front to rear has to be seen to be believed. The model proved an immense success, especially in the USA where its combination of unmatched luxury, effortless performance and Pininfarina styling was found highly attractive. Production ceased in 2003 after just 1,321 Azures of all types had been built. Exclusivity is guaranteed.

This Bentley, which now shows just over 77,000 miles came from Pininfarina painted Peacock blue. Its last MOT dates from Jan 2019 with 77,082 miles recorded and no advisories showing. The paperwork includes a service book with six stamps from Balmoral, the first dated 2007 at which point 53,000 miles had been covered.....by 2014, this had risen to a shade under 70,000 miles. There are no fewer than 32 Balmoral UK invoices on file, ranging from 2006 to 2019 which tot up to around £60,000. It has been given all the maintenence required since just a few years old.

As it has been laid up for some time, it would no-doubt benefit from a full service, some new tyres and a general check throughout. The convertible roof doesn’t currently function correctly which maybe be a micro-switch issue, but will need sorting before the summer.

Sold with its desirable 60 TXB number, this Azure comes from a deceased estate and is being offered at a very realistic estimate which reflects the servicing and hood rectification needed to bring this exclusive car back up to the marque....

For more information - contact nigel.mainard@brightwells.com