There are two main phases in Bentley’s history. Everything that came before and everything that came after Volkswagen’s purchase of the company. The first vehicle created in the wake of that watershed moment is now 20-years-old, and the automaker has decided to celebrate that anniversary with a very special, one-off car.
At “The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering,” as part of Monterey Car Week, Bentley showed off the very first production Continental GT, VIN20001. Next to it sat the modern equivalent: a third-generation Continental GT inspired by it.
Like the first Continental GT from 2003, the modern version is finished in Cypress Green paint with Saddle leather upholstery, and Burr walnut veneer. However, since the modern take on the 20-year-old classic was produced by Mulliner (Bentley’s in-house customization department), they decided to show off a little.
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In the two decades since the first production Continental GT, Mulliner has learned a few tricks, so the 2023 model features accent hides and contrast stitching in “Special Green” to make the Saddle seats really pop.
Meanwhile, the trim on the fascia and the waist rails feature two finishes. They both get open pore Dark Burr Walnut and high-gloss Dark Burr Walnut sections that are separated by a Cypress green pin stripe.
Outside, the 2023 Continental GT benefits from the Blackline, Touring, and Styling Specifications, that bring polished black exterior brightware, a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, and diffusor, as well as subtle trunk lid spoiler. It also gets 22-inch Sports Wheels in Dark Grey Satin, a finish unique to this one-off model.
Throughout, it gets badges celebrating “20 years of the Continental GT by Bentley Mulliner.” In addition, there are drawings of the outlines of both the 2003 and 2023 models on the fascia, center console, and the door sills. Already sold to its new owner, the keys were handed to them at The Quail for an undisclosed price.
In addition to the one-off creation, Bentley has also created a special Continental GT “baton” that is being passed from car to car, and is going on a tour of Europe, Asia, and the U.S. With its stewards collecting 20 mementos on their journey, the baton and the souvenirs will be placed in a time capsule once they return to the automaker’s headquarters in the U.K. to become a permanent reminder of the car’s unique journey.
