Bentley Continental R 'SuFaCon' (1996)

Perhaps no other marque is more synonymous with the Sultan of Brunei than Bentley. The fantastic array cars produced especially for use by the royal family are today the most sought-after Bentleys built whilst the storied marque was under ownership of Vickers. Most have never, and likely will never, see the light of day. However, seldom few have been sold on and exist outside of royal ownership, remaining in private hands, including the very special Continental offered here.

For the Sultan’s very first major collaboration with Bentley Motors, fourteen bespoke Continental Rs were commissioned with a variety of mechanical and cosmetic differences from the standard production cars. Dubbed the Bentley Continental R Superfast, this was abbreviated to ‘SuFaCon’, SUper FAst CONtinental.

The most significant difference in the SuFaCons were their P300-specification engines, boasting 527 bhp. This was a huge boost in performance compared to the Continental R (328 bhp) and the Continental T (400 bhp). The sprint to 60 mph from a standstill is said to take just five seconds flat, a seriously impressive figure for a car of this age and size. As one would expect, the wheels and brakes (with twin-calipers up front) were updated accordingly to handle the additional performance. A louvered bonnet and revised bumpers were also fitted, along with sport seats sourced from the Azure.

Of the fourteen SuFaCons produced, this is the final example built. It is said that the fourteen were done in an assortment of colours, including Jade Green and Royal Blue with matching interiors. However, the black on black combination seen here is arguably the most attractive, and undoubtably the most subtle.

Completed by Bentley on October 8, 1994 (built for the 1995 model year), documents remain on file from both Bentley Motors and the private secretary to His Royal Highness Prince Jefri Bolkiah confirming his ownership. Finished in black paint with matching black leather seats and carpets including Bentley’s fabulous lambswool rugs, it also boasts black lacquered woodwork, further enhancing its already sinister appearance. Sharp eyes will also notice that it has dark tinted glass with a lighter tint to the windscreen, and no rear radio aerial.

Shipped to the U.K. in the spring of 2021, it remains today in wonderful condition throughout, showing just under 7,300 miles from new. Available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately, this is a landmark Bentley of the 1990s of which there are believed to be only one or two outside the royal collection.