I’ve never really been a fan of the Bentley Continental GT. It’s just too big. I always thought it must feel like you are driving a yacht to work. Its always had that air of an ‘older gentleman’s’ car to me. The kind of car I would like to own when I was 70 to prove I had been successful in life but also ensure I wouldn’t break my hip whilst getting in to it. And there are just too many in London these days. I remember seeing a programme on MTV a few years before the Continental GT came out. The presenter said the car was going to be the most exclusive car of the decade, only for A-list celebrities, the ultimate party entry and piece of ‘bling’. Unfortunately the decade is up and if I look out my window I can see three…THREE!! And I don’t know any celebrities that live near me!
However, despite all of this, you need to be aware that I have a weird relationship with cars I don’t like. My first car was a VW Golf, and for the years leading up to my driving test, I hated them. I thought they were boring and obvious. Then I saw a ’04 GTI gleaming in the sunshine, and thought, I need one!
I have to admit that recently a couple of Continental GTs have surprised me. Stuck in traffic they have a rather attractive rumble and I saw a GTC racing through Belgravia Square a few months ago on a crisp autumn afternoon, my favourite kind of time!
Anyway, despite all these moments, my general consensus was still that the Continental was too big and too unattractive. However, something amazing was about to happen. The other day I was leaving Noura’s on Hobart Place, and parked right in front of me was a black grey, “smoked steel” rim wearing, Continental GT Supersport….it was love at first sight! I like to think that if it had been a movie, the whole scene would have run in slow motion and Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross would have been sweetly singing Endless Love as a soundtrack. I am not sure why this particular Bentley caught my eye so much. I will admit I am a sucker for any kind of car customisation and this Bentley looked customised to the highest and most sophisticated level. It was going to be bonus when I later discovered that it was actually just a standard Supersport, the amazing 20” wheels and body kit come free!!
Of course, I ran home (not literally) and logged onto both Autotrader (my homepage) and Bentley’s website. I always enjoy a good “Configure Your Car|” page and Bentley’s is fun however it was going to be the trusted Autotrader that I turned to. After 5 minutes of searching, I found my love. Beluga Black paint, those killer smoked steel rims, cream interior, 1,500miles on the clock and loads of options…perfect! Except the £160,000 price tag! Suddenly I remembered that it was going to be a few years before I could walk down the street, fall in love with a car, and then simply go and buy it. A realisation that still depresses me deeply! We recently had a work experience at our company and she told me how her 23-year old boyfriend, who works in the city, had recently bought an Aston Martin Vantage Volante. The open 3rd floor window suddenly looked very attractive and I found myself wondering whether I should in fact go up to the roof to guarantee my death. Nothing would be worse than simply injuring myself and still having to live with the knowledge that said 23-year old banker would still be cruising Sloane Street in his Vantage.
However, that wasn’t going to be the end of my dreams, I don’t give in that easily. My days of “research” on Autotrader are not for nothing. I soon found out you can get a standard Continental GT, with reasonably high mileage (approx 60,000) for close to £35,000!!! Add on those killer Supersport rims and possibly a colour change vinyl wrap and your looking at a slightly less powerful (but lets face it, not lacking in power) Continental GT Supersport (lookalike) for under £40,000! Now that sounds like a bargain to me!! In your face Vantage boy!!!
