1991model Bentley Continental III Mulliner Park Ward

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1991model

Bentley Continental III Mulliner Park Ward

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The ultimate, supreme neo-classic…! Lose yourself in every detail of the 1991 Bentley Continental III, the final coach-built masterpiece by Mulliner Park Ward!

Under the dazzling early-summer sun of June, what appeared before me during this shoot was a third-generation Bentley Continental—its immaculate white body and the “Winged B” emblem gleaming with breathtaking ferocity…
Far from the Rolls-Royce Corniche, of which 4,458 units were built across four generations, the Bentley Continental saw just 574 examples produced over its entire twenty-year run. Whereas the previous generation ran on carburetors, the third-generation model introduced electronic KE-Jetronic fuel injection, a revised chassis, and an electrically operated convertible top—and yet only 180 of these were ever made. This makes it an extraordinarily rare, pure-blooded Bentley high-end drophead saloon!
Which means… in today’s Bentleys, the legacy of those surviving master coachbuilders barely survives as the so-called “Mulliner Package.” But if we travel back in time, these cars were true British cultural artifacts: bodies handcrafted by artisan craftsmen! As the dawn of the new millennium approached and rational, cost-driven business models became the norm, the era of the genuine “last coach-built Bentley by Mulliner Park Ward” came to a much-lamented close—and this very car is that final testament.
In introducing this historically priceless model, I’ll take a moment to touch on Bentley and Rolls-Royce and Britain’s premier coachbuilder, Mulliner Park Ward, before presenting this Victorian beauty—dazzling in white—standing right before me.

Pride cleaved in two, yet the spirit still races on… Bentley and Rolls-Royce: tracing the fateful trajectory…

TBentley and Rolls-Royce…
Their lineups are astonishingly similar, yet on the other hand they are completely distinct automotive brands…
What these two historic big names share is the fact that they were born in an era when Art Deco flourished worldwide—and in Japan during the Taishō period—driven by pioneers impassioned with engineering and a drive to create revolutionary motoring…
In 1930, Bentley claimed victory at Le Mans with a radically different, large racing car—the famous “Speed Six”—while Rolls-Royce focused on crafting pure luxury saloons. In both cases, their automotive developments were received with a sense of British exceptionalism, as the UK had fallen behind France and Germany in automotive technology at the time…
Amid the mischief of history spurred by the 1929 Great Depression, a weakened Bentley was absorbed through acquisition by Rolls-Royce. Yet out of respect for Bentley’s founding spirit, the acquisition agreement included a clear clause stipulating that “neither brand shall ever influence the other.” Because that promise has endured unbroken to this day, Rolls-Royce continues to build pure luxury cars, and the cars bearing the Bentley name remain top-tier sports cars—high-performance machines delivering the ultimate driving experience…

The reason this example stands as the ultimate masterpiece… Mulliner Park Ward—the supreme coachbuilder that, by the sheer dignity of handcraft, continued to captivate kings and gentlemen…

The coachbuilding techniques that could meet any demand of royalty and aristocracy around the world…
In Britain—from the 16th-century craft of harness-making through 18th-century carriage-building, up until the 20th century when these traditional artisan skills were still revered—it was commonplace for luxury cars to be constructed entirely by hand through a master craftsman system known as coachbuild. This method, completely supplanted today by robot-driven, electronically controlled mass production, stood in stark contrast to standard factory models: every body was made to the customer’s exact specifications. In the pre-war era, Bentley and Rolls-Royce even maintained a strict separation between the chassis-making firms and the coachbuilders who created the bodies…
Among those coachbuilders, Mulliner and Park Ward—Britain’s two foremost firms—merged over the course of history. Their unrivaled expertise in aluminum body construction and impeccable interior finishes captured the hearts of wealthy post-war clients. Then, in 1952, they were commissioned to build the prototype of the R-Type Continental by Bentley’s chief designer John Blatchley—a resounding success that led to Mulliner Park Ward securing the bulk of Bentley’s coachbuilt work. Cementing their status as Britain’s premier coachbuilder, Mulliner Park Ward continued to fulfill the desires of royalty and aristocracy worldwide.

This is truly Victorian beauty incarnate… the graceful and exquisite third-generation drophead 1991 Bentley Continental III. It’s astonishing that 30 years have passed—let’s take our time to savor this superb example…

Its graceful presence exudes such refined elegance that merely standing beside it overwhelms the surroundings with beauty, and the unique aura that only a true masterpiece radiates overpowers anyone who beholds it…
The all-aluminum body, instantly recognizable to the touch, feels impossibly smooth compared to any other paint finish…!
What truly moves the heart at first sight is the magnificent white hue applied to the hand-formed aluminum skin…!
The way straight lines and curves intersect in miraculous harmony—crafted by master artisans’ hands—is something no machine could ever replicate. Paired with ingenious paintwork, it’s literally brimming with richness and a sensuously supple quality…!
The texture conveyed through my eyes and fingertips is so astonishing that I can’t help but exclaim, “Absolutely magnificent…!”
In a quintessential British luxury car, one convention was that the interior should always be visible through crystal-clear windows…
The tan-colored interior, perfectly matched to the pure white body as a testament to the dignity of its occupants, exists precisely for that purpose…
And of course, that tan hue is rendered in Connolly leather—the choice of the British royal household…
It engages the senses visually and mentally, conveying a palpable sense of depth even without touch—so exquisite that one could gaze at the stitch work of its top-grade Connolly seats in rapture. The enveloping sense of comfort and security in its cabin is nothing short of a high-end European sofa that would satisfy royalty and nobility worldwide…
Mulliner Park Ward—the ultimate coachbuilder that continued to enchant kings and gentlemen…
Their artisans’ craftsmanship is evident in every detail, filling any owner’s heart with profound satisfaction…
Consider the interior woodwork: remarkable walnut accents, with only the most beautiful grains luxuriously hand-selected and arranged… it’s like beholding antique Chippendale furniture. Its sumptuous texture nourishes the soul…
Add to that the sculptural door handles… the design of the drophead (British-style convertible) latches… the meticulous installation of the lining… and, crowning it all, the artistic craftsmanship of each switch. This is a space suffused with a true Victorian atmosphere…

“Life-changing… you really should drive it soon!” That was the advice of a most gentlemanly, veteran owner who has gone through more than a dozen Rolls-Royces since his forties. He entrustedthis exceptionally rare and elegant Victorian beauty to me, saying, “Take your time behind the wheel and then write your article!”

“The Bentley version of the Rolls-Royce Corniche… the owner who normally rides in the back of a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce seizes the wheel himself on weekends—that’s Bentley’s inborn DNA…”
With that thought, I fix my gaze on the “Winged B” emblem gleaming on the grille, then reach for the truly artful door handle. The door—at least three times thicker than on today’s cars—closes with a resonant, satisfying thud as I settle into the sumptuous interior. Sliding down from the slightly elevated, panoramic passenger seat into the driver’s position, I’m struck by how unexpectedly unobstructed the view is—hard to believe this car stretches over five meters long. Mulliner Park Ward’s masterful coachwork and exquisite forms electrify me with excitement! The cabin air, charged with positive particles, enters my body through my eyes, nose, and mouth… then courses through my bloodstream, dynamically activating my right brain!
Then… with my left hand, I turn the key to ignite the engine. Instantly—without a hint of reluctance—the traditional 6,750 cc Bentley alloy engine awakens. After a momentary roar, it settles into a remarkably quiet idle. In that moment, the cabin is the very essence of tranquility—a “rich silence” pervades every corner.
I shift the feather-light automatic shifter (equipped with cruise control) into D, and the emergency brake clicks free. Taking a breath, I lift my foot from the ultra-light brake pedal and rest it on the accelerator. In this opulent compartment, the L-series (L410) 6,750 cc alloy engine—its output simply shown as “Enough”—propels me forward with both grace and immense torque! A slight press of the pedal yields a “Zwan… swoosh,” as if gravity itself draws me onward. All the while, only the gentle hum of the air-conditioning echoes in my mind as I surge ahead in an instant. This silence is nothing like the sterile quiet of a modern hybrid’s machine-controlled hush—it’s a “rich silence” concealed beneath Bentley’s “elegant” veneer, the hallmark of Mulliner Park Ward’s master craftsmen.
It feels astonishingly easy to drive…! The handling is far more nimble than its appearance suggests, and the ride quality is positively sublime…
With its plush, sofa-like seating and exquisitely panoramic rear cabin, it is, quite simply, a “blissful sanctuary”…! For me, that transcendent moment of happiness passed in the blink of an eye, yet it was undeniably there…

1991 Bentley Continental III: Post-Interview Afterword…

Still just 24,322 miles on the odometer…
Even after three decades, this ultimate neo-classic retains a refreshingly vibrant presence—truly an exceptional example.
“I once came across this profoundly resonant line in British archives: for this traditional Bentley alloy engine—fabled for its ‘myth of indestructibility’ after surviving bench tests totaling some 1.6 million kilometers—the mere tens of thousands on the clock mark only the end of its break-in period; the moment when this engine truly reaches its sweet spot is only just beginning…”
With an original list price at launch of roughly ¥45 million, this car embodies Bentley’s very spirit and history. That such a globally rare example stands before us in such superb condition is nothing short of miraculous. I will forever cherish how richly intense and fulfilling my time behind the wheel of the 1991 Bentley Continental III was.
Thus, you need no reason at all to drive this car. To invite into your finite life the pure joy that ownership brings will only enrich your thoughts and imagination ever more. In the care of its gracious owner, this impeccably finished Bentley Continental III is certain to broaden, deepen, and enrich the life of its future—and as yet unknown—owner, day after day.

The ultimate, supreme neo-classic…! Lose yourself in every detail of the 1991 Bentley Continental III, the final coach-built masterpiece by Mulliner Park Ward!

Please do come out to Gunma Prefecture to see this ultimate, supreme masterpiece in person…

This exceptional 1991 Bentley Continental III is currently located in Gunma Prefecture.
Because this is a private sale between individuals, consumption tax and other fees are not applicable.
However, the purchaser is responsible for the prorated automobile tax (annual total: ¥127,600) and the recycling deposit settlement (¥—not yet deposited).
Transportation (e.g., land shipping) must also be arranged by the buyer; that said, through my company I offer classic-car transport services using our own enclosed carrier. Please feel free to consult if you would like assistance.
[Regarding Inquiries]
This vehicle is listed on the cross-border collectible-car EC site Estate Sale Supremacy®.
What is the “Supremacy” estate sale?
Estate Sale Supremacy® is the Japanese version of North America’s cultural estate-sale tradition. We present owners’ beloved cars through interview-based articles and videos, helping to organize both the physical vehicle and the memories attached to it.
Unlike low-ball buyouts that leave no cultural legacy or sense of continuity, we faithfully convey the owner’s sentiments and ensure that memories remain dear even as the car is responsibly passed on to the next generation.
We conduct in-depth interviews with the current owner—including detailed maintenance records, repair history, and any accident history. If the car has sustained a major accident, or if the owner’s tenure has been extremely short and details are unclear, we respectfully decline to feature the vehicle, so as to provide prospective buyers with as much peace of mind as possible.
The content of this article was written based on an owner interview carried out over approximately three hours, plus a photo shoot beginning at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Due to the limited inspection time, the vehicle’s condition may not be described with 100% accuracy. Please understand that comments on its state are based solely on the weather at the time of interview and the author’s subjective impressions, and are not all fully verified.
For questions about this listing or to request an on-site inspection, please contact us via the form at the bottom of this page.
Because this is a private transaction, and to prevent frivolous inquiries, on-site inspections are strictly limited to serious buyers who are considering a purchase.
Thank you very much for your consideration.a