1997 Bentley Continental T Coupe

6,753cc Turbocharged OHV V8 Engine
Computer Controlled Fuel Injection
400bhp at 4,150rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Power Assisted Vented Disc Brakes

*Just under 26,000 miles from new
*One of only 321 Continental T's built
*Complete with copies of factory records and lengthy service history
*The fastest and most expensive Bentley available in 1997

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Introduced in June 1996, the Continental T was a short-wheelbase version of the Continental R, some 4" (100mm) 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 Mondeos, 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 155mph. Equally eye-watering was the price: $324,500 at time of launch.

This grand coupe was built in March of 1997 and sent to the U.S. one month later to be delivered to its first owner through Don Massey Cadillac in Plymouth, Michigan in late-April. Finished in Carmine Red with two-tone St. James Red and Black interior trimmed in the most supple of leathers, this wide-hipped T was the most powerful Bentley one could buy in '97 and among the most expensive cars on the market.

The first owner certainly enjoyed the Bentley since by the time the car was sold to its second owner, Lou Battistone of Towson, Maryland in April of 2003 the car had over 5,000 miles on it. Battistone would keep the car for eight years and cover about 15,000 miles, regularly servicing it at Euro Motorcars in Rockville, Maryland. In 2011 the Bentley was acquired by legendary Chicagoland car collector Ed Schoenthaler. Ed maintained the car at Bentley of Downer's Grove, covering about 3,000 miles in his ownership. The seller acquired the car early last year.

Today under 23,800 miles appear when the stump pulling V8 is brought to life. It should be noted that the most recent Illinois emissions test in November 2020 recorded the mileage as '25,000'—a figure that appears to have been recorded in error. Complete numerous service records, Bentley factory records, a clean CARFAX report as well as its original books, tools, it is reported to be great driving car. Only 321 of Continental T's of all varieties (including special editions) were built, of which 91 were left drive examples built in '97, and they remain today as one of the best bang-for-your-buck cars you can buy.