‘Brooklands’ is the name of two models produced by Bentley Motors. The first was a full-size luxury executive saloon introduced in 1992 to replace the Bentley Mulsanne. The Bentley Brooklands was subsequently succeeded by the Bentley Arnage in 1998.

In 2007, Bentley resurrected the nameplate the Brooklands Coupé, a two-door, four-seater hardtop coupé version of the Bentley Azure. Production continued in limited numbers until 2011.

Both Bentley Brooklands were named after the historic 2.75-mile banked race track near Weybridge in Surrey, where Bentley obtained some of its greatest racing triumphs in the golden age of motor racing during the 1920s and 1930s.

The original Bentley Brooklands – a fine early example of which is offered here – continued the marque’s relatively angular design scheme which was used on both Rolls-Royce and Bentley models throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The exterior design featured the iconic Bentley waterfall grille and dual headlights with wrap-around parking lights.

It was intended as a slightly less expensive alternative to the Bentley Turbo R, featuring the same styling, underpinnings and the Rolls-Royce-sourced 6.75-litre V8 engine – but without the more powerful model's turbocharger. Well, at least initially as a light-pressure turbocharged version followed in 1996 which boosted power output to 300bhp.

The interior remained relatively unchanged from previous Bentley models but offered more curvaceous design elements surrounding the leather-clad centre console. The steering wheel and interior door panels remained unchanged. The interior continued to be surrounded by ample woodgrain which featured engraved, lighter-coloured outlines on the door panels.

Production of this handsome Bentley Brooklands concluded at Bentley’s Pyms Lane factory in Crewe on Friday, 2nd April 1993. It was dispatched to Jack Barclay Ltd of Mayfair, London, on Tuesday, 6th April, 1993, where it was proudly met by its first owner, Mr Cecil Duckworth CBE, founder and chairman of Worcester Group PLC (later Worcester Bosch).

Its current, highly presentable condition some 30 years later suggests that each of the car’s seven former keepers loved it more than the previous. The current owner – who has driven little else other than Bentley’s and Rolls-Royces – acquired the car in November, 2018 and after several years had decided that this grand dame deserves more use than he is able to devote to it.

Of the car’s seven recent MoT tests, five were straight passes, while its two ‘fails’ were due to non-functioning light bulbs. For the past several years, the car has been dry-stored when not in use and driven under dry conditions whenever taken out.

That said, it must be noted that the fine Hampshire mud on the tyres in the accompanying gallery was acquired at the initial photo location, the expansive lawn at which turned out to be a little too soft following recent heavy rains. It should be noted that these little slivers of Hampshire will not be included in the sale.

Accompanying the sale of this iconic Bentley Brooklands will be two sets of keys, the V5C registered in the current keeper’s name, an MoT certificate to 11th October, 2022, the original leather-bound Bentley-embossed holdall containing the Owner’s Manuals and fully-stamped service record books.

In addition, there is a raft of supporting service and maintenance paperwork, including the three most recent routine annual services undertaken by the current keeper intended to maintain and present the car in an exemplary condition for the new keeper’s benefit.

The more astute will notice the period 6800X Motorola telephone installed in the rear seat armrest, accompanied by the original User Manual – the height of super-cool back in the 1990’s and none-too-shabby chic even today!

As may be anticipated of a high-end luxury marque, the interior of this Bentley presents in exceptional condition and the writer, in the absence of any interior blemishes whatsoever, frequently had to remind himself that this is a thirty-year-old car.

While a tad short of concours condition, the interior offers up swathes of superior magnolia leather covering the armchair-like furniture, all elegantly trimmed with cobalt blue piping.

A full-on sensory assault, the interior is a sight to behold and an olfactory delight. Each time you enter the cabin there is an all-enveloping sense of being cossetted, particularly aided by the deep, shag pile carpeting presented in matching cobalt blue.

A blend of fine-quality leather and pristine veneered wood trim covers the well-laid-out dashboard and centre console. Under the driver’s armrest is a mini drinks cabinet with a hipflask and four crystal glasses – unlikely intended for the driver, of course.

The rear seating area contains two armchair-like seats, each with its own veneer-topped picnic table. Between the seats within the armrest resides the aforementioned Motorola mobile telephone. At head height on both sides of the C-pillar are bespoke back-lit mirrors, again trimmed with high gloss wood veneer.

It must be noted that the current vendor commissioned the matching replacement of all four veneered wood-trim inserts atop each of the doors a short while ago, at some considerable expense.

While much mention has been made of the quality and perhaps quantity of the wooden veneered trim, it is all tastefully presented and its quantity not remotely excessive.

All the switchgear and interior electricals including seat adjustments and windows are said by the vendor to be in fine working order.

The condition of the exterior of this Bentley Brooklands matches that of the interior and is indicative of the love and care afforded the car during the past three decades. The light lenses are clear and show no hint of fogging that may sometimes be associated with a car of this age.

The front and rear bumpers and their insert strips are in remarkable condition and blemish-free. The wheels show no scuffs or evidence of being ‘curbed’ and again, are in outstanding condition.

The brightwork around the car – including badges and Flying B on the bonnet – is in exceptional condition, none of which has a scratch or mark to its surface. A cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of damage and even the front valance and number plate, for all their vulnerability, remain blemish free.

It must be noted that there is a small area of paint damage around the rear boot badging and headlamp clusters which is not uncommon in Bentleys of this era, said to be due to the aluminium construction of the boot-lid and headlamp surrounds. In addition, there is a small dent to the front between the left offside headlamp and the grille. However, to be fair, any professional body shop worthy of the name would make short shrift of these issues.

At the photo location, courtesy of the Lasham Gliding Society near Alton, Hampshire, the Bentley was frequently repositioned to obtain the best of the available light at this time of year. Somewhat naturally, the car started first and every time and settled into an appreciative V8 burble, albeit somewhat refined and understated compared to other V8-powered motors we snappers usually encounter.

The four-speed automatic gearbox connected smoothly and ‘Drive’ engaged with no drama, requiring a just the gentlest of revs to get underway.

The custodian reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective and highly-skilled engineers intended over thirty years ago.

Unlike modern Bentleys where the engine bay is covered in swathes of plastic, preventing admirers from marvelling at the machination underneath, this engine bay is very tidy and clean and you can even see the fuel injector lines and the V8 configuration of the powerplant. Wonderful stuff!

Like the immediately visible parts of this prestige Bentley, the underside and sills of the car present in good order with a degree of natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age and mileage.

Goodness! Where do we start? We script writers here at Car & Classic are bound within certain parameters to refrain from venturing too far away from the middle line when it comes to describing the cars we are assigned to photograph and write-up for auction.

From a legal standpoint, this is of course, fully understandable. Being the eyes and sometimes ears of any prospective bidder, the subject car has to be/do what we say it is/does. In describing ‘H3 BKL’ (a private plate that will accompany the sale), this writer hasn’t once ventured from the aforementioned middle line.

Sure, there a number of Bentley Brooklands from this period that occasionally come up for sale, but the writer can say with all honesty that he has yet to encounter one in the condition as this one presents itself (and no, I get out often enough, thank you!). Here we have a healthy and remarkable 1993 example of one of Bentley’s finest and most luxurious continent crushers as it commenced the first part of the Brooklands production life.

In addition, membership to the Bentley Driver’s Club founded by Keston Pelmore in March 1936 is open to everyone with historic, current and future interest in this prestige marque and its members are as knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic as they come.

G’won…because you’re here, pop on a cheeky bid. You know you want to! If this writer could he most surely would…but alas, cannot, which makes for a very sad day indeed.


Notice to bidders