2008 Bentley Continental GTC

In 1994, Rolls-Royce Motors who at that time owned the Bentley brand, previewed a convertible concept car at the Geneva Motor Show – the Concept Java.  The car was designed to be a smaller, more affordable Bentley, yet still exclusive in order to maintain the integrity of the brand.  It was to appeal to a new range of potential buyers and generate increased sales volume for Rolls-Royce.  At the time the current Bentley Continental R was an ultra-exclusive £180,000 in the UK, within reach of a very select market, selling only 200–300 units a year.  The Concept Java never went into production in the form seen in 1994, although 13 cars were made for the Sultan of Brunei.  However, the Bentley Continental GT realised the concept of the Java as a more affordable Bentley, manufactured in much larger volumes.  Whilst external styling is different, the dashboard design was clearly influenced by the Java.  The vehicle debuted in 2002 at the Paris Motor Show, followed by Le Mans, the 2003 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the 2003 annual Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone.  The car differed from the previous Continental R & T models in terms of its concept: although much of the car is hand assembled, it is a mass-produced car made in significantly larger numbers.  It is not a coach-built car.  The convertible version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, was first presented in September 2005, and was introduced to several world markets in the autumn of 2006.  The roof is produced by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.

For consignment a rarely seen 2008 Bentley Continental GTC convertible.  With a clean CarFax, service records that include the 10 year servicing and 80,927 original miles clocked on it, now presenting as a like new motorcar which piles on the luxury and performance.  This model year takes on a futuristic simplified look all the while offering up performance that no one would expect a car of such girth and size to even be able to think of performing.  Our example has the Mulliner Driving Package, gorgeous interior, sexy exterior color, and of course the iconic grille for the front leading the way and announcing your arrival loudly!

Exterior
A luxurious and sporty high speed bullet train would best describe this car.  With its smoothed over but angular design front end with smaller aero flush mount head lighting, and a round foglights set deeply into the lower grille, but all pale in comparison to the chrome wire mesh grille, complete with a now aerodynamic flying B hood ornament.  The car is actually simply designed with little to no embellishments, just tasteful shiny windshield trimmings, passenger compartment chrome highlighting and wrap-around rocker trimming down low.  One of the first "mass produced" Bentleys does not mean that any less time was put into perfectly fitting steel sides and panels, then this was all bathed in Beluga, a sinister yet luxurious black, which is in excellent condition.  Moving down the sides allows us to view the well penned bodylines that included more smoothed over angular shaping for the fender flares front and rear and the slightly swept outward rockers.  A black canvas convertible top is a show all of its own to see operate and a small but adequately sized trunk can hold 8.3 cubic feet of cargo.  Part of the Mulliner Driving Package is the 20-inch 7-spoke 2 piece alloy wheels that are wrapped in very nice rubber dating from the 45th week of 2017. 

Interior
A very simply designed interior but with many surfaces that correspond with each other to create an environment fit for a king is seen inside the passenger compartment.  Beluga, (black), leather makes up the door panels, covers the seats, and the lower part of the dash.  The door panels lead you into luxury with smooth leather, dark walnut burl, white stitching and chrome highlight for the various toggles.  Sliding inside reveals beautiful diamond quilted inserts with smooth bolsters and some white stitching added in for the front buckets and 2 plus 2 rear bench.  These seats are not only heated and ventilated up front, but are also massage equipped.  Sitting in this wonderful luxurious leather seating, we can take a moment to gaze at the hand crafted dash made from a mix of more leather and dark walnut burl.  This burl has been laminated and built up to be eventually lacquered and polished to an ever present shine.  This wood accenting can be seen peppering the entire interior, but the major concentration of it is on the dash.  Beautiful clean gauges, round knobs and various levers are covered in the walnut burl, and is even seen making an appearance on the rim of the steering wheel.  Chromed eyeball shaped AC/heat vents are inserted and all power and climate controls are well within reach of the passenger or driver.  Black Wilton carpeting is on all the floors, and I just want to remove my Wallies and crinkle my toes in this wonderful padded surface!  A central display screen is embedded within dash central and controls the heat/ac as well as the stereo, navigation and even shows the display for the adjustable air suspension and various shock dampening modes.  Loaded with luxury features, but make no mistake, this cruiser from Crewe is a serious sportscar in disguise.

Drivetrain
Under the long bonnet is a Volkswagen W12 12 cylinder engine that can pump out 552 horses.  It sports EFI and a 6-speed automatic transmission on the back that can be left in drive or moved to a manual shift mode, and don't forget about the paddle shifters on the steering column.  A Torsen differential sends power to both the front and rear axles with 3.52 ratios.  You are gazing into an engine bay that shows no corrosion and very little dirt or patina.  It's excellent, shall we say.

Undercarriage
A stainless steel exhaust snakes its way rearward from the W12 and travels through many different rust free surfaces on its way to a dual rear exit.  Very sound structurally, and cast aluminum suspension which includes fully independent type with adjustable airbags on all 4 corners.  Power disc brakes are also on all around.

Drive-Ability
Don't be fooled by this car and its nameplate, it is every bit as nimble as your expensive sports car, and then some.  On the test track she accelerated with ease and can easily reach over 135mph and stay there all day if needed, traffic conditions permitting.  My crack decoder discovered that the top speed is rated at 195.1mph, not from a land speed record attempt but from his diligent research.  Handling is like its on rails, and save for the angst it may cause and some sweating for the rear passengers whilst doing so, this car can take last second evasive action and not even break a sweat.  It also stops on a silver dollar, which you can then pick up and place it on the engine just to check how smooth that W12 cylinder idles and runs.  All functions were in working order, and this car is a knockout.

For those who can shell out the pounds to own one, it is definitely worth it.  Most people don't think of Bentley and sports cars in the same genre, this car can quickly change your mind with its performance, handling and acceleration.  Plus you'll have plenty of luxury to surround yourself in, all in traditional English craftsmanship fashion.  That's what you are paying for.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the 76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.