As the Bentley Continental GT celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is a testament to the remarkable milestones achieved since its launch back in 2003. It marked the dawn of a new era for Bentley, being the first vehicle to debut in the modern era and the pioneer of all-wheel drive in the brand's line-up. Notably, the Continental GT introduced the world to the power and performance of Bentley's iconic W12 engine, propelling it to become one of the fastest four-seat vehicles on the market with an impressive 0-60 miles per hour time of 4.7 seconds. This ground-breaking combination of luxury, innovation, and exhilarating speed solidified the Continental GT's position as an automotive icon, capturing the hearts of enthusiasts and cementing its place in the annals of automotive history.

In 2016, Flying Spares had the incredible opportunity to acquire a true gem - the 53rd Continental GT ever made. This exceptional vehicle, with its rich history and undeniable significance, became an integral part of our fleet!

The GT, built in the summer of 2003, played a significant role in Bentley's global model launch, having been part of the Bentley Press fleet. Boasting the renowned registration number '2000 TU,' which is synonymous with Bentley's own car fleet.

During its early days, the GT received well-deserved attention and was featured in renowned motoring publications. The car's flawless condition was diligently maintained through meticulous care and servicing at the Crewe workshops, a testament to Bentley's commitment to excellence.

The possession of the November 18th, 2003 issue of 'Autocar' magazine, featuring the 53rd Continental GT on its front cover, serves as a cherished reminder of its illustrious past.

After its role in the Bentley Press fleet and the global launch activities, the 53rd Continental GT was eventually sold through the dealer network, changing hands among five custodians before it found its way to us at Flying Spares. Considering the significance of this vehicle, recycling was never an option. Instead, it became the personal transport of our managing director while also serving as a testing platform for various aftermarket products under development at the time.

In 2017, Bentley Motors collected the car and took it to Wales, where it was driven back-to-back with the updated model launched that year for an article in 'Autocar.' Coincidentally, the journalist assigned to drive it was Andrew Frankel, who had previously driven our car at the original launch event back in 2003. This reunion carried a touch of nostalgia.

In May of this year, we were offered another early Continental GT that presented severe electrical issues. Coincidentally, this car happened to be the 58th example ever built and had a similar background as part of the factory demonstration fleet. Its service book contained records of work carried out at the Crewe workshops. Regrettably, this vehicle had not received the same level of care and maintenance as our cherished model, leaving us with no viable option other than to recycle it.

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