Registration: P542SYK
Chassis: SCBZK15C5VCH61113
Odometer: 12,000
Transmission: Automatic
MOT: March 2027

• Rare specification
• Four owners including father and son
• Low mileage
• Bentley and specialist service history
• £6250 spent in last 12 months
• Low road tax - annual VED currently £375

The Bentley Azure debuted in 1995 as the quintessential open-top grand tourer, effectively blending "old world" British craftsmanship with a presence that defined 1990s luxury. Based on the Continental R platform, the first-generation Azure featured a silhouette styled by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina. Incredibly, as Bentley didn’t have the specialised facilities for the convertible conversion, the cars’ underpinnings were shipped to Pininfarina in Italy, where the shells were reinforced and the complex roof fitted, before being returned to Crewe for final assembly. This era of the Azure was powered by the venerable 6.75-litre turbocharged V8, a flagship engine that provided "adequate" (and later, immense) power to move the massive convertible with grace. Its power-operated fabric roof was an engineering marvel for its size, designed to offer the same level of refinement as a hardtop when closed.

We are delighted to offer this 1997 Bentley Azure in Arctic White with black hide and black roof. First UK registered in June 1998, it was originally built for the Malaysian market. Apparently, the original owner was a Malaysian business man who kept the car in London during his 20 year custodianship. It was then owned by a father and son before our vendor became the fourth owner. Originally supplied with an speedometer recording in kilometres, it had only amassed a lowly 10,630 km when this was changed by renowned Rolls Royce and Bentley specialists, RR&B Garages, to read in miles and the odometer set to the correct mileage. The service book contains 10 stamps initially from Bentley dealers and latterly from RR&B. There is a gap between 2004 and 2015 but the MOT history suggests the car was off the road for most of that time. In the last 12 months it has had a service at RR&B and new brake accumulators at Bentley Hatfield. Our vendor has also had the rear window replaced by an old school coach trimmer who does work for HR Owen, at a cost of over £2000.

Freshly detailed for our sale, this Azure looks stunning in Arctic White with all black leather and black lacquered wood inserts. Bentley doesn’t release details of how many cars it makes in different colours but we wouldn’t be surprised if this was the only one in this combination in the UK. The condition is very much as you would expect with the minimal mileage. The alloy wheels are all in lovely condition and wrapped in the correct and expensive Avon Turbospeed tyres. The hood is free from any damage and the new rear window is nice and clear. The dark cabin is a wonderful contrast to the bright exterior, yet the plentiful chrome prevents it from looking too stark. The sense of hand built quality is palpable, whilst the black wood gives it a very contemporary aesthetic. Again, the minimal use that this car has seen is reflected in the beautiful condition – the leather is free from rips and tears, the wood undamaged and carpets (including a full set of lambswool over-rugs) are clean and fresh.

The car comes with V5C, current and old MOTs, a bundle of maintenance invoices, original book pack in leather wallet, BOOM search (specification) and 2 keys.

When it was launched in 1995, the Azure was the most expensive series production car in the world, its list price of £215,000 being almost 4 times the price of the average UK home. That astronomical price and the limited numbers produced (only 1311 cars were sold globally) have meant that the big convertible has never dropped into that zone of cheap, abused Bentleys and has remained a hugely desirable modern classic. This example is possibly the finest we have seen, combining a truly rare specification with low mileage and lovely condition. We can only see the Azure appreciating in the long term and, if you miss this one, we suspect you’ll kick yourself later.