A BESPOKE 2003 Bentley first owned by Princess Anne has sold for over £37,000.
The vehicle was supplied new to The Princess Royal by Bentley Motors of Crewe and comes with a list of features such as a blue flashing light that was intended to be used for travelling with Special Escort Group.
However, using this light, which is concealed behind the grille and still works would be illegal.
It was sold by H&H Classics at their live Auction Online yesterday, for £37,125 against a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £24,000.
Mindful that the Arnage R could reasonably be expected to accommodate more than one member of the Royal Family on occasion, extra supple Sandstone leather upholstery was used to trim its front and rear seats.
Doubtless as a nod to its illustrious first owner, the winged ‘B’ badges that adorn the luxury saloon’s radiator shell and boot lid carry bespoke pink enamel centres.
Understood to have been retained by ‘Britain’s hardest working Royal’ until 2006 and to have covered c.10,000 miles during that time, the Arnage R has only added a further 35,000 miles to its odometer since then.
Serviced no fewer than fourteen times by main dealers and specialists, chassis CH09487 remains highly presentable. A rare and decidedly special Bentley with Royal provenance, it is offered for sale with original book pack, Alpine sat-nav instructions, MOT certificate valid until May 2020 and two service books.
Unveiled in 2002 as a replacement for the Red Label model, the Bentley Arnage R boasted an improved Bosch Motronic ME7 1.1 control system (which also enabled the fitment of ESP), twin Garrett T3 turbochargers, close-coupled catalytic converters and 405bhp/616lbft.
Reputedly capable of an electronically limited 155mph top speed and 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds, the handsome Bentley offered a combination of performance and luxury that few rivals could match. Right-hand drive production of the Arnage R is thought to have totalled just 373 cars.
Damian Jones of H&H Classics comments: “The Arnage was the last of the Crewe-engineered, old school Bentleys and good examples are increasingly sought after by enthusiasts. Bentley Motors is celebrating its centenary this year and has supplied several vehicles to the British Royal Family.
“Buying this example would be a great way to celebrate the marque’s Big Birthday especially as it has managed to retain the convoy kit which is typically removed when these cars leave Royal Service”.
