Description
Only 19 of these special Symbolic Edition vehicles were produced. As if that is not special enough, this Azure has only 11, 000 miles of experience behind it. Pristine’ is the only description befitting this car. Before we explain what this highly limited Symbolic Edition exactly entails, In first instance let us talk about the extremely luxurious Azure in general.
In 1991, Bentley introduced the Continental R, a beautiful coupe and the first model not based on a Rolls-Royce. The Continental R was the fastest production car the brand has built up to that point, and was also the most expensive series car available at the time. Four years later, Bentley presented the open variant, the Azure. Pininfarina had the honor of developing the open version, and the Italian design house was also responsible for assembling the cars before shipping them to Crewe for their final assembly. The 6. 75-liter V8 is the same as found in the coupe but with a bit more power.
The Azure you see here was first registered in 2000, in America. Now, such a 425 horsepower behemoth is already a very exceptional and highly exclusive presence, and this Symbolic Edition takes that automotive excellence a step further. This version was specially developed by Symbolic Cars in San Diego. Virtually everything that was possible was ticked off in the Bentley catalog for this version, along with numerous additional features. While an Azure in the amazing Mulliner version, on which the Symbolic is based, already had a starting price of $360, 000, this special edition added another $69, 000 in options. A total price of $429, 000. Yes, exclusivity guaranteed.
This Azure was delivered in Silver Tempest, a beautiful warm grey shade that highlights the car’s lines splendidly. Combined with an interior finished in Cotswold Hide with Sea Order Deviation, we can certainly call it an exceptionally tasteful combination. The condition of the body? As we mentioned, like new. The 17? wheels? Like new. Indeed it is getting quite repetitive by now, but it is simply the case.
The beautiful two-tone interior also matches the mileage of 11, 000. The dashboard, door panels, wool carpets, everything is in optimal condition. Only the leather upholstery of the seats shows signs it has been sat in, but nothing more than that. The wooden panels on the dashboard, center console, and door panels complete the picture: we fully understand why this model was known as the world’s best convertible. What quality, what materials, what fit and finish! It’s incredibly impressive how they managed to achieve this over 20 years ago. The extra-fast electrically operated convertible top has also seen little use over the years and is as beautiful as the rest of the car.
Technically, the car is in perfect condition. A look under the hood shows that the massive turbocharged V8 runs not only beautifully smoothly but also looks visually stunning. With 313 kW, 425 horsepower, driving the Bentley is an absurdly pleasant experience. Comfort like no other convertible offers, combined with an extremely smooth and very fast eight-cylinder engine mated to a fantastic four-speed automatic transmission: it simply doesn’t get much better than this Azure.
In 2019 and 2020, when this Bentley celebrated its twentieth anniversary, the car was completely overhauled so as to be effortlessly in good shape for years to come. About €17, 500 was spent on the car by specialists in the Netherlands to have it looking brand new again.
The underside is untouched and shows that the car has not suffered any damage. In terms of maintenance, the Bentley is fully up-to-date. The car comes with a Carfax report, invoices for the fantastic maintenance the car has had, a Certificate of Construction from Bentley itself, and the complete option list from when the car was ordered.
Finding an identical or equally desirable Azure? A challenge!”
