Bentley Azure 1st Gen (1995-2003)

Debuted Geneva March 1995 on the Continental R platform. Pininfarina assisted in the two-year development to convert the coupe into a four-seater convertible, building both the body shell and the electrically-powered fabric soft-top at their Italian factory. Production was slow to ramp: 9 cars in 1995, 251 in 1996, then steady production through 2003. Original UK list price £215,167 — about £22,590 more than the Continental R coupe on which it was based. 6.75-litre L-series V8, single Garrett turbo on early cars, twin-turbo from 1999. Available as 'Mulliner' spec from 1999 with bespoke trim. Final Series Performance edition (2002-2003, 62 cars only) was the run-out special. Total production roughly 1,400 cars across the eight-year run. The first-generation Azure is firmly in modern-classic territory now — values have been steady, with Mulliner-spec and Final Series cars commanding premiums.