2016 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible - BONHAMS GOODWOOD FoS 24/06/16

COMING TO AUCTION

Brought to you by: www.classicchatter.co.uk

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED SALE

FRIDAY 24th JUNE 2016

GOODWOOD CIRCUIT, CHICHESTER

The world's first and only British Pop Art Bentley, this unique Continental GT V8 S Convertible is the result of a collaboration between Bentley Motors and the godfather of British Pop Art, Sir Peter Blake

2016 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible

Chassis no. SCBGE23W6GC058251

*Unique design by Sir Peter Blake

*Hand-built by Bentley's Mulliner division

*All proceeds to the Care2Save charity

*To be sold without reserve

FOOTNOTES

• All proceeds from the sale of the car will go to the Care2Save Charitable Trust, which supports palliative and hospice care around the world. 
  
  
  This is your only chance to be the owner of 
  Sir Peter Blake's unique Bentley artwork.
  
  
  
  Sir Peter Blake
  Born in Dartford, Kent in 1932, Sir Peter Blake is a British Pop Art icon, best known for co-creating the sleeve design for the Beatles' 1967 chart-topping album, 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. His work crosses all generational divides, and inspires immense respect from younger artists such as Damien Hirst, Gavin Turk, Pure Evil and Tracey Emin. Knighted in 2002, an honorary doctor of the Royal College of Art, and with his work represented in major collections throughout the world, Peter Blake truly is a grandee of British Art.
  
  
  Peter Blake's work reflects his fascination with all streams of popular culture and the beauty to be found in everyday objects and surroundings. Many of his works feature printed materials such as photographs, comic strips or advertising texts, combined with bold geometric patterns and the use of primary colours. The works perfectly capture the effervescent and optimistic ethos of the sixties, but are also strikingly fresh and contemporary. Blake is renowned for his connection with the music industry, having produced iconic album covers not only for the Beatles but also Paul Weller, The Who, and Oasis.
  
  
  Lovingly brought to life by the craftspeople at Bentley Motors, this is the first luxury car designed by Sir Peter Blake. 
  
  
  
  
  The Design
  Throughout the exterior of the car, the use of collage – a major element of Sir Peter's work - demonstrates bright but clearly defined colour. St Luke's Blue - a bespoke colour introduced by Sir Peter and named in homage to Bentley's local St Luke's Cheshire Hospice - dominates the car's rear haunches, doors, and boot lid, with a British Racing Green lower body and Fuchsia Pink radiator shell. The bright paintwork compliments the black exterior trim and a black hood, incorporating a darker sub-tone while allowing the bright exterior colours to take prominence.
  
  
  Perhaps the most striking feature of this one-of-a-kind car is a St James' Red heart motif hand painted onto the Continental Yellow bonnet, a symbol in-keeping with the compassionate work of hospices. The cabin is also an expression of individuality, with each seat trimmed in a different hide colour: Cumbrian Green, Imperial Blue, Newmarket Tan, and Hotspur, reflecting the tonal shades of the exterior surfaces. The same colours are echoed on the sports steering wheel, which features a Hotspur outer rim, Newmarket Tan inner rim, and Cumbrian Green centre, with Imperial Blue stitching. The vivid pink leather gear lever stands out against the centre console, while the dashboard and interior door panels are all veneered by Bentley's craftspeople in a rich Piano Black finish.
  
  
  Sir Peter's signature is incorporated onto the fascia panel and embroidered on all four seat headrests. To finish, unique storage cases feature a Piano Black veneer outer but with Continental Yellow and Pillar Box red internal linings to reflect the bonnet colour theme. A distinctive treadplate, bearing the legend 'No. 1 of 1' and signifying that this is a Sir Peter Blake design, finishes the car. These unique features have been delivered through Bentley's specialist bespoke coachbuilding division, Mulliner. Entrusted with the build, Mulliner ensured that every detail was delivered to the highest standard.
  
  
  The car is offered as UK registered with a V5C and an unlimited-mileage three-year Bentley warranty. Sir Peter Blake's design also includes a personalised playlist from the artist's favourite music. Sir Peter Blake himself said of his creation, 'I am proud to have been involved with transforming this beautiful car, and have enormous admiration for the people at Bentley who brought my design into being, to produce this one-off lovely car.'
  
  
  Sir Peter continued: 'When Bentley approached me about this project I was excited by the challenge. Care2Save is a wonderful charity and I was glad I could do something to raise money and awareness for them. Bentley is a British icon, so I wanted to incorporate an element of that sense of tradition by using British Racing Green-alongside strong blocks of primary colour- in the design. I wanted the car to be bright and bold, keeping the design as simple as possible, so that the beautiful lines of the car could speak for themselves, but also create a design that reflected the motifs and patterns that I have used in my work throughout my career. Hopefully the finished result is joyous and unique. It was great fun working with the very skilled people at Bentley, I truly admire the craftsmanship and attention to detail they embody.'
  
  
  Peter Blake also created two limited edition prints inspired by the project: the immediate sell-out 'I Love Bentley' on the occasion of the car's unveiling, and 'Bentley by Blake' in celebration of Bonhams' auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. All proceeds from print sales go to Care2Save. Blake worked with the Bentley team to create the car design at Worton Hall Studios, Isleworth where he also made the print editions. Edition #1 of 'I love Bentley' and 'Bentley by Blake' are included in the Lot.
  
  
  
  
  The Process
  The relationship started when the three parties - Sir Peter, Bentley and Care2Save - met for the first time at the end of 2015. Bentley wanted to create a striking car that celebrated Sir Peter's iconic style and linked to the work of Care2Save, a charitable cause of key importance to Bentley colleagues.
  
  
  Sir Peter wanted to use bright primary tones on key areas of the body, so he asked Bentley which areas would work best in terms of shape and surface area. Once agreed, Sir Peter selected the desired shades from Bentley's extensive colour pallet. 
  
  
  Commenting on this individual commission and the Charitable Trust, Kevin Rose, Bentley's Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, said: 'Sir Peter has designed a strikingly colourful car, encapsulating exactly why he is thought of as one of Britain's leading artists. It was a fascinating project to be part of, particularly for the skilled artisans in our bespoke Mulliner division, who worked closely with Sir Peter to bring this design to life.
  
  
  'We have proudly supported the Care2Save Charitable Trust and the hospice movement for more than many years and so take great delight from donating this inimitable car for such a worthwhile cause.'
  
  
  
  
  The Car
  Introduced in 2003 and substantially updated in 2015, the Continental GT is the first all-new design to emerge from Bentley's historic Crewe factory following the iconic British car-maker's acquisition by Volkswagen in 1998. Its arrival represented a new departure for Bentley and bought in a new era of performance combined with extraordinary luxury never before seen. It was the main contributor to the company moving from a 1,000 car a year business to sales of 10,000 cars in 2007.
  
  
  After years of speculation about what form it would take, the Continental GT made its debut at the Paris Salon in October 2002 when it was revealed that the new 2+2 coupé would be powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine. Producing 552bhp at 6,000rpm, the latter was coupled to a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel-drive transmission. Although considered by some to be rather brutal, the new streamlined styling was distinctive and thoroughly in keeping with the idea of a Bentley for the 21st Century. Maximum speed was within a whisker of 200mph, with the 0-60mph dash accomplished in 4.6 seconds. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A host of spin-off models followed, commencing with four-door Continental Flying Spur in 2005; the first convertible version - the Continental GTC - was offered in 2006. 
  
  
  With the second generation's arrival in 2011, a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine became available, which with 500bhp on tap was only marginally less powerful than the 6.0-litre W12. This new V8 motor incorporates fuel-saving 'cylinder deactivation' technology, enabling it to achieve an overall consumption of around 26mpg compared with the W12's 17. Announced in 2013, the Continental GT V8 S boasted a more powerful (521bhp) engine together with lowered suspension and improved body control to match the higher output. Other noteworthy features included an aerodynamic front splitter, discrete side sills, a rear diffuser, exclusive 20" wheels, and red-painted brake callipers, all of which was complimented by a wide range of options enabling customers to personalise their cars. 
  
  
  
  
  The Cause
  Bentley has supported hospice care for many years and has a close relationship with its local hospice, St Luke's, located near the company's headquarters in Crewe. Many colleagues have experienced the great work that St Luke's does to care for loved ones at a very difficult time in their lives. Colleagues actively fundraise and volunteer for the charity and have even helped them refurbish a double-decker bus in Bentley livery to help their fundraising efforts. Bentley recently donated tickets to its exclusive Power on Ice customer ice driving experience to raise funds, and importantly, profile for the hospice cause. This year, Bentley is donating two cars to put a spotlight on the hospice and palliative care movement and raise significant funds to help people in the UK and around the world. 
  
  
  
  
  A message from St Luke's Cheshire Hospice and Care2Save
  
  
  Very often people who need palliative care are scared; they have difficult and sometimes painful symptoms, and all this while they worry about the people they will eventually leave behind. 
  
  
  If you have ever known anyone receiving palliative care, or living with a terminal illness, you will know these are just a few of the struggles a patient will go through on a daily basis. For almost three decades, St Luke's Hospice and Bentley Motors have been working together to improve end of life and palliative care in Mid & South Cheshire.
  
  
  The organisations started their relationship over 28 years ago and since that time have worked solidly together to fundraise for their shared local community in Cheshire, to improve the care given to those facing the end of their lives.
  
  
  Combining their expertise in the hospice and motoring sectors, St Luke's and Bentley have collaborated on several innovative fundraising initiatives that have seen hundreds of thousands of pounds flood in to the hospice to help its patients live more comfortably, and help its staff deliver an excellent level of care to those often living their final days.
  
  
  
  
  Up until now the most significant of these collaborations was 'Luke', a double-decker Routemaster bus which Bentley staff renovated to support the hospice with its fundraising efforts. The bus acted as a catalyst, making the two companies think bigger; they began to think how they could make their campaigns more effective, more ambitious, and – most importantly of all – help people on a wider scale than ever previously imagined. It was then that the initial concept of the Bentley by Blake campaign was devised.
  
  
  St Luke's always had ambitions of transforming palliative care on a global scale, and thanks to its longevity of community care, has the expertise and experience to educate people on why palliative care needs to change – today. Realising a separate initiative was needed to bring St Luke's ambitions to life without compromising the day-to-day care that the hospice delivers, the Care2Save Charitable Trust was born to support palliative care globally. 
  
  
  Every year, 40 million people around the world are in need of palliative care, yet 86% of them – 34.4 million people – will not receive the care they need. The UK – although ranked as the leading country when it comes to palliative care – faces its own challenge as part of this global crisis to improve standards and services to those receiving palliative care, with a recent report highlighting that four in ten hospitals are offering poor or indifferent care to the dying.
  
  
  Out of those who need palliative care around the world, 78% live in low- and middle-income countries and for children, 98% live in low- and middle-income countries, with almost half living in Africa. And in these countries, the situation is bleak. While in the UK we might receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, have access to opioid relief and palliative care experts when approaching our final days, many living with terminal illnesses in deprived countries are lucky to receive even paracetamol. 
  
  
  
  
  There is such disparity in the cost of care, too; few realise the impact even the smallest donation could make to palliative care across the world. A donation of £500 ensures a patient nearing the end of their life in the UK receives 24 hours of one-to-one care from a palliative care nurse or doctor. In Uganda, for example, that same £500 would be enough money to guarantee a full care package for 28 terminally ill patients, for seven days. 
  
  
  While you might deliberate over buying an extra loaf of bread, or that tempting bar of chocolate, to someone living in Uganda that money is the lifeline they need to enjoy a few pain free days. A donation of just £1.50 would be enough to cover the cost of a week's worth of liquid morphine for a Ugandan cancer patient. Imagine the difference if that donation were £150, or £1,500.
  
  
  The proceeds of the Bentley by Blake auction, and any other donations received will not simply be used as 'hand outs'; they will be used to create a lasting legacy. Working in partnership with organisations and charities across the world, the Care2Save Charitable Trust will invest into education at a grass roots level, so youngsters hoping to start a career in healthcare are taught at the earliest opportunity the importance of delivering effective, efficient palliative care that ensures the dying are treated with dignity. They will be equipped with the skills to set up their own sustainable and affordable palliative and hospice care models. 
  
  
  Closer to home, the donations will be used to close the gaps we have in the palliative and hospice care system in the UK but it is only through your donations that those receiving palliative care in other countries will receive anything remotely similar. 
  
  
  It is our mission to use our experience and knowledge to educate and empower others around the world to care and support individuals and families who are affected by serious and terminal illness.

MORE IMAGES CAN BE FOUND AT:

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23593/lot/244/