The story of the Continental T began with the Continental R, unveiled at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show as the first Bentley in decades with a body of its own rather than one shared with Rolls-Royce. In 1996, Bentley followed it with the Continental T, a more focused and driver-oriented interpretation. Its wheelbase was shortened by four inches, flared wheel arches gave it a more muscular stance, and its hand-built turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 was later developed to produce 420 hp and an immense 880 Nm of torque from just 2,000 rpm. Conceived in the spirit of the original “Bentley Boys”, it combined formidable performance with the craftsmanship of a traditional, hand-built Bentley.

Only 321 examples were made between 1996 and 2003, making the Continental T one of the last truly hand-built Bentleys.

This car holds a very unique place in that story.

Originally conceived as a Continental R, TCX53136 was converted directly at the factory, subject to unique improvements, into the prototype for the Continental T series, which was internally known as "P117" or "Project 117" and exhibited at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show.

Original internal Bentley correspondance, which is included with the car, titled P117 - Geneva Show Car and dated 5 March 1996 records these special modifications across four pages:

• Exhaust System: intermediate silencer and heatshield shortened by 100 mm, new tailpipes
• Wheels in Tyres: Jack Barclay 18" common wheel front and rear 18x9.5J (41mm offset), red enamel hub cap centres
• Transmission: Standard NZ
• Engine: standard 96MY with niche une, 97MY dump valve, boost restriction removed
• Engine Management: Zytec, 97MY traction control assistance
• Hydraulic System: 97MY revised brakes (340 mm diameter discs, Teves SS60 calipers, modified rat-trap balance lever), some underbody pipes shortened by 100 mm
• Braking System: parking brake cable shortened by 100 mm
• Front Suspension: standard front track 1'549 mm, NZ anti-roll bar, new axle pivots to accomodate 97MY revised brake package
• Rear Suspension: rear track 1'581 mm (16 mm spacers fitted to rear hubs), NZ anti-roll bar
• Sub Frames: standard NZ front and rear, normal ride height lowered by 15 mm
• Differential: standard NZ
• Fuel System: some pipes 100 mm shortened
• Cooling System: standard NZ
• Power Aassisted Steering: restircted lock steering rack (3 turns lock-to-lock)
• Propshaft and Axle Shaft: propshaft 100 mm shorter
• Air Conditioning: standard NZ
• Luggage Compartment: 96MY spare wheel carrier, minor modifications to carrier lid to incorporate 18" spare wheel
• Body Shell: red coloured exterior badges, wheel bub cap centres colour coded red, sill strip shortened to fit wheelarch flares
• Bumpers: unique-style front airdam, new cut-through rear bumper
• Dashboard: aluminium engine turned instrument panel with chrome bezels, push-button start
• Passenger Compartment Trim: cantrail trim and headlining shortened by 100 mm, rear quarter trim shortened by 100 mm, rear carpets and overmats shortened by 100 mm, rear sheepskin rugs shortened by 100 mm
• Console and Stowage: re-styled instrumentation, eight dial stack, additional boost gauge, re-styled waistrails with aluminium inlay, re-styled rear console with veneer facia panel
• Front Seats: re-styled trimmed seats, based on standard Continental R frames
• Rear Seats and Parcelshelf: seat cushion shortened by 75 mm, move rear squab rearwards by 30 mm at the top
• Restraints: passenger side incorporating aluminium engine turned facia panel
• Electrical: looms looped in rear quarter to accomodate 100 mm shorter wheelbase, all exterior and interior lights and chrome fittings to be NZ, new concealed radio aerial
• Body Shell: floorpan shortened by 100 mm between B-post and rear seat (wheelbase 2'961 mm), new tooled roof panel 100 mm shorter, wheelarches flared (front 17 mm, rear 38 mm), no wing louvres fitted, front and rear wings cut and finished to accomodate cut through bumpers
• Bonnet: no bonnet louvres fitted
• Door Front: modified re-styled door trim pads, engine turned aluminium panel fitted to doors, colour coded door mirrors with black cheater panel
• Quarter Rear: trim panel shortened by 100 mm, standard switches and fittings, shortened rear quarterlight and fittings

Its elegantly classic body was built by Mulliner Park Ward and is finished in Ascot Green over a Soft Tan Hide interior with Dark Green inserts, a uniquely attractive combination.

After its exhibition at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show, the car served as an official chase car on the 1996 Mille Miglia before being delivered to dealer British Motors in Monaco. 

It was then subsequently acquired by Mr. Peter F. Baumberger, founder of the Écurie Three Bears, who kept it in Monaco before relocating it to Gstaad, Switzerland, where it remained in his collection until his passing in 2010.

Following a comprehensive refurbishment by renowned Bentley specialists P&A Wood in the UK, at a cost exceeding CHF 100'000, TCX53136 is presented today in perfect condition and is offered fresh from its service and Swiss MFK inspection.

As the car that gave life to the Continental T, this is a truly unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a defining piece of Bentley history.

Please contact us for more information on this Bentley Continental T “P117”.

info@nikihasler.com | +41 (0) 61 375 92 92