In London last September, some lucky duck paid 826,250 pounds ($1.1 million) for a 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon. Its pristine condition, timeless curves, and original big Bentley inline-six engine surely justified the cost for that guy.
But you don’t have to dig that deep to get a classic Bentley of your own.
The discerning buyer can find one for a fraction of that price, from the current average sale price of $31,000 for an Arnage, according to Hagerty, to less than $25,000 for a Brooklands. A vintage Bentley may be expensive to maintain, and it may not gain more than a few percentage points in value each year, but it will hold its value for decades.
And from behind the wheel, it’ll make you feel like a million bucks.
“There are plenty of examples of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys that can be purchased for entry-level prices,” said Jonathan Klinger, spokesman for Hagerty. “For someone getting into the fun side of the car industry, just the name Rolls-Royce or Bentley is all you need.”
At the moment, they are valued “properly” in the relative market, Klinger said.
This means that now-obscure models such as the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph (manufactured from 1998-2002) and Bentley Arnage (1998-2009) can be had for the same price as a midsized Toyota, but with scads more personality and style.
“For the Arnage, a savvy buyer can watch that market and expect it to gain value over five years,” Klinger said. “Certainly, over the next couple years, the Arnage is one to watch.”
Or take the Rolls-Royce Corniche, a coupe-and-convertible model made from 1971 to 1995. The Corniche replaced the older Silver Shadow and brought a then-revolutionary V8 engine and self-righting suspension to the English automaker’s stable. With a large, flat silver grille and the obligatory Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament; a wide wood-polished dashboard; slim steering wheel; firm, yet springy seats; and just enough modern technology (radio, heat, air conditioning), the Corniche is as livable on a daily basis as it is handsome.
The average value of a Corniche Series I is $34,300 for one in excellent condition—or as low as $25,000 for one in fair condition.