2005 Bentley Continental GT

Highlights

• 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo tuned to produce a reputed 650hp
• Recent full repaint in Nardo Grey is stunning
• 23-inch Riviera alloys and Supersports-style bodykit look proper tasty
• Mulliner Driving Specification interior is the ultimate in sporting luxury
• Modern Tesla-style infotainment system with downloadable apps
• The car will also come with a dateless plate. New owner will need to assign the number. 

Overview

The Bentley Continental GT is what happens when you take a British brand with the kind of heritage that only the Windors can compete with, and inject it with the cash muscle and engineering might of one of the biggest car makers in the world. The fact that that car company is called the People’s Car is also one of life’s great ironies. Except, of sorts, this was, and is, the people’s Bentley.

Until the Continental GT arrived in 2003, Bentleys were all coach-built, expensive and exclusive to the nth degree. So at a little north of £100,000 when it was launched, the Continental GT was, if we spend all our poetic licence, the Bentley for the masses. But another great irony is that it was, by far, the most technologically advanced car Bentley had ever produced.

The engine was a new 6.0-litre W12, which was extremely compact but packed an enormous 560hp twin-turbo punch. That was routed through a six-speed ZF auto to all four wheels, which meant traction that could romp you to 62mph from a standstill in 4.8 seconds. And despite its small-for-a-Bentley exterior proportions, it could seat four adults, had a massive boot, and the sort of on-board tech that pre-VW-era Bentley drivers weren’t aware existed. It was an amazing package. Hence they sold a lot of them, and the Continental GT kickstarted the Bentley renaissance that’s still in full flow today.

This car has had a few modifications, though. It’s a 2005 example, but with that Supersports-style body kit the look replicates the second-generation GT’s outlandish lightweight special. We’re told it’s not all mouth and no trousers, either, because the owner says it’s putting out about 650hp. On top of that there are some interior updates to keep the cutting-edge feel this car enjoyed when it was new.

They include a Tesla-style portrait infotainment interface with modern gizmos like Apple CarPlay, YouTube and Spotify all available. And with just 57,000-odd miles showing, a nice service history and presented in such fine fettle, it offers someone the chance to experience Bentley ownership for considerably less than a current Continental GT. See, this was and still is the people’s Bentley.

History and documentation

• V5 registration included – declared new at first registration
• HPI clear
• First registered 8th August 2005
• Current MOT until 3rd August 2024, with minimal mileage covered since the last MOT (Circa 550 miles)
• 57,122 miles showing when pictured (note that some MOT mileages are recorded in km)
• Comes complete with x2 keys
• Ghost II Immobiliser certificate of installation and manual
• Service book stamped by Bentley agents and specialists as follows: 30.08.06 at 2,930 miles; 08.01.07 at 12,521 miles; 30.04.10 at 31,732 miles; 16.07.13 at 40,684 miles; 15.02.17 at 47,591 miles; 03.07.20 at 50,239 miles; 17.11.21 at 83,735 (this is believed to be kilometres rather than miles); 28.03.24 at 57,055 miles
• Additional invoices detailing work including a reconditioned power steering rack, new track rod ends, new vacuum pipe, all-new front air suspension on both sides and that Ghost II immobiliser

Interior

• Properly high standard specification includes dual-zone climate control, powered and heated memory front seats, power-folding door mirrors, cruise control, parking sensors, rear-view camera, knurled aluminium gear selector, aluminium kick plates, cast aluminium pedals, aluminium shift paddles, Breitling clock, and the signature ‘bullseye’ air vents with ‘organ stop’ controllers
• Lovely Mulliner Driving Specification interior with diamond-stitched leather and embroidered ‘Bentley wings’ on the seats. These show only light creasing in the obvious places like the driver’s seat – no tears or significant bolster wear, though
• Polished burr walnut woodwork presents well – the owner says there are just some slight marks on the centre console but no obvious fading or bleaching
• Soft close doors 
• Full leather door cards and dash appear to be in great condition
• All the many features are said to be working as they should, with just one exception – the petrol flap release button no longer lights up at night
• Updated Tesla-style portrait infotainment system includes satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and downloadable apps such as YouTube and Spotify
• The original head unit is supplied with the car
• Road traffic recorder is also fitted

Exterior

• Recent full respray (we’re told in the last two years) in Audi Nardo Grey
• Supersports-style body kit includes different bonnet vents, front nose, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear boot spoiler at a cost of £9000
• ‘Flying B’ vents on front wings
• Black Bentley honeycomb front grille
• Riviera 23-inch black alloy wheels – described as recently refurbished with only slight marks
• Privacy glass
• Yellow-painted brake calipers
• It’s described as in very good condition, and there are certainly no obvious marks on the paintwork judging by the pictures
• Panel fit all round looks as tight as you’d expect from a modern-era Crewe-built car
• All the light lenses seem clear and unmarked
• The underneath of the car is described as clean

Mechanical

• 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo engine has been tuned to produce a stated 650hp. Bearing in mind the original 560hp delivered 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, it’s fair to say the owner’s description that ‘it goes like a steam train’ is probably underplaying it somewhat
• Six-speed ZF automatic gearbox with permanent four-wheel drive for assured traction in all weather
• 23-inch wheels shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres that are said to be in good order
• The car comes with a battery conditioner
• The owner tells us that the car starts on the button, stops well and the engine runs sweetly, with a lovely deep grumble and pops and crackles on downshifts – although these aren’t unbecomingly loud. It’s a Bentley, after all
• Under the bonnet the engine bay looks extremely clean for the car’s year and mileage, with no major deterioration showing to the aluminium surfaces or plastic panels and badges

Summary

Right from the off, the Bentley Continental GT offered the Bentley driving experience but brought fully into the 21st-century – and for a comparatively un-Bentley-like price. And as the years roll by that price is getting evermore tempting, isn’t it? This car now represents a huge amount of luxury and performance for the price of a new supermini, but, unlike some Conti GTs out there, this one appears to have been maintained as you’d hope with an extensive service history.

On top of that, the part that dates easily – always the infotainment system – has been brought bang up-to-date thanks to a high-definition touchscreen running modern software with many of the apps you’d expect in a brand-new Tesla, not a near-20-year-old Bentley. And if you’re in the market for something particularly distinctive, then the Supersports-aping body kit, 23-inch Riviera wheels and Nardo Grey paint deliver in spades.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Knutsford, Cheshire.