1997 Bentley Brooklands

This car is a 1997 Bentley Brooklands LWB (RTL) Black Label (LHD).

This car has the most desirable year (the best of the first generation), most desirable chassis (long wheelbase), the most desirable combination of color with a dark exterior (British Racing Green), and high contrast interior upholstery (light colored leather in parchment), with dark trim and dark top roll (high contrast to the parchment, dark green). It also has the most desirable wood trim (burl walnut inlay and figure grain walnut border), and the most desirable engine (turbo with electronic fuel injection and OBDII), best transmission, and upgraded suspension. -- What’s not to love?

This particular car was hand made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for Bentley Motors Limited in Crewe Cheshire England in April 1997 (door tag), was commissioned March 27, 1997 (Bentley records), and was still being updated on August 3, 1997 (dated seat inspection ticket) and first registered January 1, 1998 (DMV records). This would generally be considered a 1998 model year. Only 18 of these were made that year. Then, before the next production run, Bentley and Rolls-Royce were sold to Volkswagen (VW) and BMW.

It has the spirited driving package (R), Garrett M24 Turbocharger (T), long wheelbase (L), Zytek EMS3 fuel injection (producing an estimated 420 bhp alongside a gargantuan 635 ft. lbs. torque (861 Nm)), OBD II computer, four speed GM (Hummer) transmission, and all the improvements, specifications, details and options found in the later 1998 and 1999 models – making this car not only an excellent example of the breed, but also the first of its kind – with all the luxury of Rolls-Royce, and all the new 1999 technology and high performance. -- Yes!

Additional information available (PDF):
1. Detailed description of this car with photos and stories. 176 Pages.
2. Guidebook for maintenance with drawings, images, and tables. 159 pages
3. Routine Maintenance Checklist.
4. Comprehensive Operational Checklist

Please note that these cars can sell for a wide range of prices depending on their condition. One can easily find one for a few thousand dollars but it will immediately need $20k to $60k in service just to make it drivable. Find one that is being well taken care of and in good shape (like this one), or unique heritage, and a GOOD PRICE can easily be $100,000. (This car was appraised by my insurance company at $110,000 on March 3, 2025.) And now I am moving so I need to sell this car right away. I have priced it at a ridiculous $19,500. Less than I have recently spent on service. This is an amazing buy for a car in this condition.