Vehicle Description
After nearly two decades of quietly marching along in the shadow of
parent brand Rolls-Royce, Bentley Motors finally got the freedom to
create a unique new model aimed at rejuvenating the firm's sporting
reputation. Building upon the commercial success of the Mulsanne
Turbo and surprisingly quick Turbo R saloons, designers set out to
create a high-performance yet opulent four-seat grand touring coupe
in the spirit of the R-Type Mulliner Fastback of the 1950s. The
gorgeous Continental R debuted in 1991, sharing its underpinnings
with the Turbo R, including the 330 horsepower 6.75-liter
turbocharged V8. What set the Continental R apart was its sleek,
elegant two-door coupe coachwork, penned in-house by John Heffernan
and Ken Greenley. Upon the surprise debut of the Continental R at
the 1991 Geneva Motor Show, it was met with praise and awe by
journalists and the public alike, and more than 1,200 were sold in
the car's eleven-year production run. It was the first Bentley
since the 1960s to not share a body with Rolls-Royce, and it marked
a critical turning point for Bentley as it reemerged from the
shadow of its parent company. Despite being the most expensive
four-seat car in the world, customers soon demanded more
exclusivity, and Bentley responded with a bespoke customization
program under the legendary Mulliner name. The special edition
Continental R Mulliner arrived in 1999 and featured the brawny,
short-wheelbase Continental T's revised turbocharged, intercooled
V8 rated at 420 horsepower and a thumping 650 lb-ft of torque, set
into the standard wheelbase chassis. The R Mulliner also wore the
flared and widened fenders of the T, with reworked bumpers for a
considerably more aggressive yet still elegant appearance. Various
special editions trickled out, many using the R Mulliner as a
basis. These included the R 420, R Le Mans, California Edition, and
the Millennium Edition, as presented here. As the name implies, the
Continental R Millennium Edition was produced exclusively for the
2000 model year. It was an exceedingly limited version, with just
ten numbered cars built, all for the North American market. Each
featured special paint, additional wood trim, unique badging, a
green starter button, a laser-cut radiator grille matrix, and
18-inch chrome wheels. For these niceties, and the opportunity to
own a limited-run Bentley, ten buyers shelled out an additional
$20,000 over the price of a Continental R Mulliner. This beautiful
example is car number 9 of 10, attractively finished in Silver
Storm over Cinder Connolly hides. It shows just 18,400 miles from
new, and presents in superb original condition inside and out,
accompanied by a clean Carfax report, original tool kit, and
owner's manual. Options include the burl wood dash, embroidered
logo headrests, heated front seats with memory, chrome shift knob,
wood veneer steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and a spare wheel kit.
The beautiful Silver Storm paint suits the muscular widebody form
exceptionally well. The paintwork is in excellent condition, thanks
to discreet, professionally installed paint protection film applied
to the bonnet, front fascia, and front wings. Panel fit is to
precise factory standards, with consistent, even gaps and an
assuredly solid feel from the large doors. Lamps, lenses, and other
trim are all in excellent original order. The big fender flares
accommodate correct five-spoke chromed alloy wheels, shod with
massive 285/45 ZR-18 Pirellis on all four corners. The wheels are
in excellent overall condition, with minor imperfections noted on
the center caps. The four-seat cabin is equally well preserved,
with lovely medium gray leather and carpets accented with blue
over-mats. Chrome door plates announce this as Millennium Edition
number 9 of 10. Gorgeous burl wood trim covers the instrument
fascia, door caps, lower door panels, and center console, which
contrasts pleasingly with chrome fittings and switchgear. While
some slight wear is noted on the outer seat bolsters, the remainder
of the leather - which extends to the door cards and full
headliner, is supple and superb. Mechanically, this Bentley is in
excellent working order, and the Carfax report appears to show
consistent maintenance throughout its ownership history. Most
recently, it was serviced by the highly regarded British Automotive
Repair of Scottsdale, Arizona. It runs and drives well, with
deceptively rapid acceleration from the mighty 6.75-litre
turbocharged, intercooled V8 and the refinement and luxury expected
of a limited-production Bentley. Immensely powerful, opulent, and
highly collectible, this Continental R Millennium Edition offers
the thrilling performance of the R Mulliner with even greater
exclusivity. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7328-2000-bentley-continental-r-millennium-edition-coupe/
