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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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© Car & Classic
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Rocket Man’s Conti is going under the hammer
Yes, that’s correct, a 1992 Bentley Continental R first owned by singer/songwriter Sir Elton John is for sale right now.
The online auction, via Car & Classic, starts today, 6 September 2022, and runs for seven days.
Let’s find out more about this car.
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Take a seat
In August 1992, this Bentley was bought new by Sir Elton John, through his management company, and it stayed with him until November 1996.
At this point it experienced its, to date, only changed in ownership, when its current custodian bought it, which is where it remains today.
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Paper trail
This classic was originally supplied in 1992 by Weybridge Automobiles and it was serviced there until 1999.
A marque specialist in Guildford then maintained it until 2017, as the many receipts and invoices in this car’s history file prove.
The most recent service, in March 2021, was carried out by another Surrey-based specialist.
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Your Song
We don’t think you’ll be surprised to hear that Elton’s Bentley had these extras.
Look carefully and you’ll find 14 MB Quart speakers. There’s a pair in each door and in each rear side panel, tweeters in the dash, subs in the parcel shelf and a pair of speakers in the sides of the centre console.
Plus, concealed behind a panel in the boot are three amplifiers to power the speakers.
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Well cared for
Additional work that’s been carried out in this Bentley’s 30 years include new window seals in 2006, as well as an ignition switch and a door lock in 2014 and 2019 respectively.
The car has done just shy of 96,000 miles. After only 2956 miles, when it was two years old, the speedometer and digital display were changed, plus its gearbox was replaced under warranty back in 2002.
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Wheely good
Any prospective bidder will also be pleased to see that this Bentley’s factory alloy wheels are still fitted and appear to be virtually unmarked.
What’s more, each is wrapped in a new 17in Michelin Latitude Sport 3 tyre.
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Keeping it simple
Inside, you might be pleased to know that the colour schemes of some of Elton’s more flamboyant outfits weren’t the inspiration.
It’s grey leather and burr walnut in here, and the auction house says it ‘looks lovely with very few marks around the interior’.
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Underbonnet music
At present, this Continental R has this ‘55 VV’ cherished numberplate, but it will be returned to its original, ‘K93 UPE’ when it’s sold.
That big, 6.75-litre V8 should help make up for it, though. The factory service book has been stamped almost every year for three decades, plus the vendor says the engine fires first time, so it appears to be in fine fettle.
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Healing Hands
Inside, the trim looks to have retained its luxurious lustre and deep shine.
Some of the cabin’s leather has been recoloured to match the original, but all appears to be in good condition.
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Life is Easy
Those rear seats look super-comfy, don’t they? Not to mention as-new.
What’s more, if you’re back there and fancy a little more legroom, you can move the front seats forward at the touch of a button.
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Are You Ready For Love?
We could throw some more Elton John song titles in here, but would we do that? Well, we will say we can’t promise that a prestige classic won’t go breaking your heart – sorry, we couldn’t resist.
That said, this example appears to have been well cared for and, even if the celebrity connection does nothing for you, the car itself could still tick many boxes.
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Make tracks
This 1992 Bentley Continental R, first owned by Sir Elton John, is being sold online through Car & Classic, in an auction that runs until Tuesday 13 September 2022 at 8:10pm BST.
Find out more here.