Vehicle Description
1996 Bentley Azure
Here at Classical Gas we specialize in classics so when you see us
list a newer vehicle you know it has to be special. Well there is
no denying something bearing that winged "B" is special. Produced
by Rolls Royce these were the cars of luxury. Brand new these cars
were priced over $300,000 and owned by the elite. Seeing a
celebrity cruising in a Bentley is not a shock but a common site.
In fact Oprah Winfreys 96 Bentley is owned by the Volo museum whose
collection highlights include Batmobiles, Grease Lightning, and
other iconic Movie cars. The 1996 Bentley is special in that it was
the first year for the Convertible Azure body style and the only
year for the vertical grill. It is also rare in the fact that only
163 Azure Series 1 convertibles were built per year creating a
production total of only 1,308 from 1995-2003. This beautifully
designed convertible is coated in a nice Dark Blue that looks
amazing out in the sun. The top raises and lowers with no issues
and matches the color of the car. A video is available showing how
easily the top can be removed/applied.
Being a luxury vehicle, going fast doesn't seem like it would be a
priority. Well it wasn't forgotten by the builders of the 6.75L 412
cu in motor under this hood. It flies down the road and drives
extremely well. The ride is very smooth with minimal road noise.
The interior of the car is just as beautiful as the rest with all
Beige leather. It has a lot of wooden accents which are in great
condition and add that touch of class. To get a breakdown of all
the features the car has to offer check out the table below:
3-Point Rear Seat Belts
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
AM/FM Stereo
Adjustable Steering Wheel
Air conditioning
Alloy Wheels
Anti-lock brakes
Automatic Transmission
CD player
Center Arm Rest
Chrome Wheels
Clock
Compass/Temp. Gauge
Convertible
Coolant Temp. Gauge
Cup Holders
Driver airbag
Engraved VIN Codes
Floor Mats
Front Bucket Seats
Halogen Headlamps
Heated Seats
Interior Hood Release
Interval Wipers
Leather Steering Wheel
Leather Upholstery
Leather seats
Memory Seat(s)
Passenger airbag
Passive Restraint System
Power Antenna
Power Brakes
Power Mirrors
Power Steering
Power locks
Power seats
Power windows
Rear-Wheel Drive
Remote Fuel Door
Security System
Tachometer
Third Brake Light
Third Row Seat
Trip Odometer
V-Style Engine
The following is an article taken from cars.com and written by
George Moore to give you an unbiased review of Bentleys line up in
1996: By George Moore IndyStar.com October 8, 1995 It could not
have been a better setting for the display of 1996 Rolls-Royces and
Bentleys in the Thornhill section of Zionsville. This quaint
village is the home of the Albers Rolls-Royce agency, America's
oldest exclusive Rolls-Royce dealership. So, it was only fitting
that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Inc., should trot out its new line at
an Indiana location. For 1996, Rolls is offering a series of
Rolls-Royce and Bentley sedans, a Bentley coupe, and a Bentley
convertible coupe. This first Bentley convertible in 25 years bears
the rather exotic name Bentley Azure and comes complete with sleek
appearance and breathtaking price. To complement the new cars,
there is at last a new look. The convertible obviously represents
new styling, with the sedans being close behind. Rolls has joined
the modern age and embraced aerodynamics. But not so much that the
cars don't look like Rolls-Royces. The styling for the sedans is
more rounded. The grille that marks the automobile as undeniably
being a Rolls-Royce is a little smaller. The famed Flying Lady
mascot that graces the grille is a bit smaller in order to retain
the proper proportions relative to the rest of the front end
design. The line's knockout punch is the Bentley Azure convertible.
The price of $319,000 is liable to knock anyone out. Styled by
Pinanfarina of Italy and built by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Crewe,
England, every one of the 30 convertibles allocated to the North
American market was sold before being built. In fact, there is a
waiting list for the Azure. "You're looking at about mid-1996 for
orders taken now," said Herman Albers, owner of Albers Rolls-Royce.
This is some set of wheels, beginning with Rolls' 412-cubic inch
(6.75-liters) aluminum V-8. An engine of this size automatically
ensures power. Rolls takes the next step, giving the V-8 a
turbocharger with a water-cooled intercooler to drop the
temperature of the fuel/air mass going into the engine. Added is a
ZYTEK EMS 3 computer-controlled engine management system. The
ensuing results is 385- to 400-horsepower and a whopping 553
foot-pounds of torque. Rolls reportedly claims 385-horsepower. Mel
Donegan, Rolls' zone service manager, said at the showing, "It's
400." At 5,400 pounds of curb weight, 15-horsepower one way or the
other probably isn't going to make that much difference. It's the
tremendous torque of 412 cubic inches that hurls almost three tons
of motor car forward with a vengeance. The differential optimizes
rear wheel traction, and Rolls says 0-60 mph acceleration is in the
6-second bracket. That's a time that puts a big, heavy, luxury
automobile right in the middle of the muscle cars. Top speed is
electronically limited to 150 mph. It almost goes without saying
that the car is loaded with amenities. New is an electronically
controlled tilt steering column that is linked to preset positions
of the driver's seat and mirrors. Also, the touch of a switch rolls
the front seat forward so that back seat passengers have more room
to get in or out. A second touch moves the front seat back to its
original position. There is a complete range of power-assist
equipment, dual climate control, dual air bags, and a computerized
automatic ride control system. There are three ride modes
boulevard, normal and sports with the suspension setting determined
by vehicle speed, road conditions, and driving habits. For example,
if a driver should suddenly swerve while the car is in boulevard or
normal mode, the suspension will shift to the firmer sports mode
within milliseconds.
As you can see this car may not be a classic yet, but will be
someday. It is the type of car that in 20 years will still be
desirable as it wasn't overproduced like most cars on the road. It
is an amazing driver and will provide a smooth ride for years to
come!
Priced lower than NADA at only $69,900.00!