1998 Bentley Continental T Mulliner RSE Edition Coupe

6,753cc Turbocharged OHV V8 Engine
Computer Controlled Fuel Injection
420bhp at 4,000rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Power Assisted Vented Disc Brakes

*Just over 35,000 miles from new
*One of only 182 Mulliners and 14 RSE models built for the US market
*The fastest and most expensive Bentley available in 1998
*Cost nearly $370,000 when new

THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL T

Bentley's 1980s resurgence had hitherto relied exclusively on models whose basic architecture was shared with other Rolls-Royce products; but on display at Geneva in '85 was 'Project 90', a mocked-up coupé intended to gauge public response to the idea of a high-performance car unique to Bentley. When the real thing - the Bentley Continental R - was unveiled six years later, the waiting crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Styled with the assistance of consultants International Automotive Design, the Continental R benefited from computer-aided design and wind tunnel testing in the devising of its sleekly streamlined shape. Despite the need to incorporate non-traditional features such as doors recessed into the roof, the result looked every bit a Bentley, albeit one restated for the 1990s. Also new was the gearbox, a four-speed automatic with 'overdrive' top ratio, but the main focus of interest was the newcomer's performance. Needless to say, this was outstanding, the combination of the Turbo R engine in the new wind-cheating shape cutting the 0-60mph time to 6.2 seconds and boosting top speed to in excess of 150mph.

There was even more to come in the form of the Continental T. Introduced in June 1996, the latter was a short-wheelbase version of the Continental R, some 4" being taken out of the chassis aft of the doors. With 400bhp at its disposal and crouching aggressively on 18" wheels, the low-slung Continental T looked every inch the thoroughbred Bentley sports car, the cockpit with its engine-turned dashboard recalling the heroic exploits of W O's 1920s racers. The engine start button was another neat 'retro' touch. Despite weighing as much as two Ford Mondeo 1.8s, the luxuriously appointed Continental T was certainly no slouch, racing to 60mph in a tire-shredding 5.8 seconds on its way to a (governor limited) top speed of 156mph.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

When one of the most exclusive cars on the planet wasn't exclusive enough, you could get an even more exclusive version. 14 North American Regional Special Edition (RSE) Continental Ts were produced, this being one of that exceedingly rare grouping. The RSE models were differentiated by features including chrome 18 inch rims, stainless steel headlight surrounds, body colored bumper undertrays and finishing strips, sporting seats with Alcantara inserts, body colored shifter lever, chrome ringed instrument bezels, and more. This example had the dial turned to 11 with addition of the Mulliner-spec motor that helped fill out those wide hips with power to back it—an extra 20bhp and an extra 60 lb-ft of torque for an earth shatter 650 lb-ft total, ample power to both waft about and burn rubber.

This car is finished in stunning Blue Sequin Mica over buttery soft Sandstone hides with Royal Blue leather dash accents and Royal Blue carpets. Highly optioned, the factory records list five pages worth of 'production deviations'—which mere mortals usually call 'options'. Delivered new to Colorado, it spent its first few years shuttling about between Denver and the tony mountain towns to the west, accumulating nearly 18,000 spirited miles in the first three years. The Conti saw little usage with only a few thousand miles being added from 2001 until 2012, with the bulk of the miles that got it to the 35,300 miles it has today added in the last decade. Regularly serviced and complete with a folder of service records, the original Alpine stereo and fold out screen headunit has been replaced with a Pioneer receiver that incorporates Bluetooth.

Offered for sale today with its books, tools, records, and more, this brute in a suit is one of the last vestiges of the pre-VW era of Bentley—an era of bank vaults on wheels with a torque curve usually reserve for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers that ensconced their passengers in old school luxury and lumber yards' worth of perfectly match timber—is ready to motor its way to its next lucky keeper. Whether one wishes to arrive in style to their next dinner or resurface the roadway with burn rubber, the machine is equally capable of both tasks.