Bentley Azure 1996 2dr

2 Previous Owners, This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Supercar Fest 2026 on Saturday the 16th of May, Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN. , Introduced in 1995, the Bentley Azure was based on the platform of the Continental R Coup which had been launched originally in 1991. By definition, a fully strengthened luxury convertible to seat four adults very comfortably, accommodate their luggage and hide an engine sufficiently powerful to propel the entire ensemble towards the horizon in a linear fashion is never going to be a small car and the Azure often surprised with its substantial presence. Spinning a convertible out of the Continental was inspired, getting Pininfarina to engineer and styling it especially so. Just 1,403 firstgeneration Azures were built, all combining the turbocharged urge of their hardtop cousins with the effortless style associated with their namesake.Motovation was provided by the company's stalwart 6.75litre V8, featuring a single intercooled turbocharger producing in the region of 380bhp, mated to a General Motorssourced, fourspeed automatic gearbox, enabling the Azure to glide up to 60mph in an impressive 6.1 seconds.Owing to the limited space at Bentley's Crewe factory, the Azure was assembled and finished by Pininfarina, significantly adding to the vehicle's production costs. The selling price varied as equipment could be significantly different from one to the next depending on personal preferences, however, the price list started at just over £200,000 when new.Dating from 1996, the delightful example offered here is a rolling 'drawing room' of the finest order. It presents superbly in gleaming Bentley Royal Blue over acres of bluepiped Magnolia hide reflected in mirrormatched walnut flowing uninterrupted from fascia to the rear quarters accompanied by the almost imperceptible whisper from Bentley's venerable V8.Supplied new in 1996 to the Maggistro family, the car has remained within their custodianship until recently, a remarkable continuity of ownership. The accompanying service history is reassuringly comprehensive, predominantly entrusted to H.R. Owen, with a single entry from noted Bentley specialists, Harwoods. Following a period of careful storage, the car was recommissioned by marque experts, Silverlady of Brentwood, ensuring its return to the road was conducted with due diligence and expertise.Importantly, the Pininfarinadesigned hood understandably affected by its time in storage has now been replaced, complete with a fully refurbished frame mechanism and new headlining, restoring the cars elegant silhouette and weathertight refinement to the standard one would expect. The motor car also benefits from replacement Avon Turbospeed tyres, further enhancing its road manners.Having covered a mere 18,657 miles at the time of viewing, the Azure presents in excellent condition throughout, commensurate with such sparing use. A clear HPI report supports its provenance and it's accompanied by a current V5C registration document. For the new custodians peace of mind, the car will also be presented at auction with a fresh MOT.A rare opportunity, therefore, to acquire one of Crewes most opulent creations a motor car that embodies an era of unrestrained luxury, offered in a condition and with a provenance befitting its standing.