This Convertible Bentley Costs Less Than a Used BMW
It’s no secret that high-end luxury cars from the likes of Bentley are not typically associated with being affordable. However, there is always the option of buying a used example from a bygone era. Though buying an older car comes with its own inherent issues, it does offer a chance to get a luxurious or exotic car for a fraction of the cost of a new one. In this case, you can find yourself in a convertible Bentley for less than $50,000.
The Bentley Azure Mark 1 is a convertible slice of heaven that doesn’t break the bank
According to Autoevolution, the Bentley Azure Mark 1 was one of the most expensive production cars for sale in the world when it was released in 1995. However, depreciation has done its thing. Now, these awesome convertible Bentley dream machines are available for a pretty reasonable price point of under $50,000.
The Bentley Azure Mark 1 is a four-seat grand tourer that leaves plenty of room for you and your friends to go on a beautiful cruise. Of course, being a Bentley, it drives like you’re on a cloud and has a host of remarkable luxury amenities to ensure the occupants experience the pinnacle of luxury. Don’t be fooled, though; the Azure Mark 1 has a good bit of punch to go with it.
Under the hood is a 6.75-liter V8 engine with a Garrett turbocharger forcing air into it. The resulting power output is a substantial (especially for 1995) 385 horsepower and a whopping 553 pound-feet of torque. Despite the Azure having no sort of aerodynamic advantages, considering it certainly wasn’t designed to be a race car, it’ll still surprise you with acceleration. It’s capable of sprinting from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 6.5 seconds. That’s faster than a Fiesta ST!
When new, the Bentley Azure had a whopping price tag of $350,000. In today’s money, that works out to nearly $659,000. However, a quick search throughout online sales will find you a handful of these incredible convertible luxury machines for under $50,000. That’s a $600,000 discount from new! What a deal!
The history of the Bentley Azure
In the early 1990s, Bentley built a model called the Continental R to break back into the North American market. It was a 2+2 coupe featuring the same 6.75-liter turbocharged V8 engine found in the Azure. At the time, it was the fastest and most powerful Bentley the company had ever built.
Bentley decided that the Continental R would sell better if it was convertible. Fortunately, Bentley’s parent company, Vickers, also owned Rolls Royce at the time. So, carrying over the powerplant from the Continental R, Bentley built the Azure on the Rolls Royce SZ platform. The Azure still shared many design cues with the continental R.
Overall, the Bentley Azure Mark 1 offers a rare opportunity to own an ultra-high-end convertible for a relatively low price. It is, of course, worth keeping in mind that repairs will likely cost a good bit more than your average used car. However, if you’re in the market for something luxurious, this may just be your best option!
