By Jason Dawe

The Bentley Azure is a car that’s big in every way. At 6.75 litres, its engine is one of the largest of any car on the road, its 2,608kg kerbside weight makes it one of the heaviest and – at more than £210,000 – it was certainly one of the most expensive. When it first went on sale in July 1995 the Azure clearly followed the tradition of previous Bentleys such as the Corniche and Continental in being one of the world’s most exclusive convertible cars.

Rather than being content to cruise the boulevards at a dignified pace like its predecessors, however, the Azure’s engine boasted a Garrett turbocharger and intercooler, producing 385bhp and powering the car from 0-60mph in just over 6sec. With the same underpinnings as the Continental R, its coupé brother, the Azure was now a sporting convertible that WO Bentley himself would have enthused about.

Post-1999, the Azure Mulliner models were given even more grunt, combining 420bhp with a whopping 645 lb ft of torque. While not significantly quicker on paper, these cars handle better and feel more willing. But performance aside it’s the way that the Azure looks that leaves the lasting impression. Working with Pininfarina, the Italian styling house, Bentley created a full four-seater convertible that, with the hood up, looked every bit as good as the Continental R coupé but at the touch of a button transformed into an elegant open-top car with a clean uncluttered line along the flank of the vehicle.

Stand next to an Azure and the vehicle’s sheer size is something to behold. Wider than a Maybach and longer than a BMW 7-series, the Azure may have terrific presence but it is not a car to try to thread into an underground car park. With the hood down, the full glory of the Azure’s interior can be appreciated. The Bentley factory offered customers the ability to personalise their cars, so expect to find lots of used examples with various combinations of wood and leather.

Most popular are the light leather interiors, parchment and magnolia, contrasting with dark walnut wood. The standard air-conditioning flows through heavy chromed vents, a feature of Bentleys for many years, and the large chrome ashtray harks back to a bygone – and less healthy – age.

The interior controls may also appear old-fashioned to modern motorists: forget touchscreen stereo and digital climate control and instead expect to find a range of buttons, switches and dials that operate all the essential controls. And if you are taking an unfamiliar route then there’s no point in looking for the in-built sat nav system; check the glove box for a road atlas instead.

Buyers who can afford a new car costing as much as a house don’t generally economise on maintenance, but on older models the service history may be more patchy.

With used Azures still fetching between £70,000 and £130,000 secondhand, buyers have every right to be fussy. Demand a service stamp and original invoice detailing any additional work for every six months of the car’s life, regardless of whether it has covered 6,000 miles or not.

Keeping your Azure in fine fettle will cost you about £325 plus Vat for a minor service and £850 plus Vat for the larger annual one if you choose to use one of the many specialists, and even more if you use a main dealer.

You will also need to set aside some extra cash for the hydraulic service, required every eight years or 96,000 miles, which involves replacing the suspension spheres and brake calipers and adds around £1,800 to the service bill.

In 2006 a remodelled Azure was launched by Bentley. Although the allure of a new Bentley is hard to beat, £225,900 is a lot of cash to splash and a secondhand version seems suddenly appealing. As a bona fide motoring masterpiece it now represents great value.

Stereo
Alpine stereo systems were fitted as standard on most models, with a CD stacker stored beneath the centre front armrest

Radiator
Early cars came with vertical radiator slats, but postJuly 1997 models have a honeycomb mesh grille that is true to the Bentley sporting tradition. Conversion to honeycomb costs about £1,800 with factory parts

Engine
Impeccable service history is a must as cars can blow head gaskets, an expensive job to put right

Wheels
Standard 17in alloys on all models although some owners will go larger

Gearbox
Four-speed auto more than adequate as the Azure’s massive torque makes the need for extra ratios redundant

Brakes
Calipers should be replaced at eight years/96,000 miles during hydraulic service, regardless of condition

Safety
Twin front airbags standard but no option of side airbags. The car’s size and weight are its greatest strength

Servicing
Once every six months or 6,000 miles, whichever is the sooner

Vital statistics

Values
Model Bentley Azure convertible
Engine 6750cc, eight cylinders
Power 385bhp
Transmission Four-speed automatic
Fuel 17.8mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 6.3sec
Top speed 150mph

The one to buy
Bentley Azure 1999 V-reg with 50,000 miles.
Pay £94,250 at a dealer or £89,950 privately

Mileage
(20,000/30,000/50,000)

1998 S
Trade £79,800 £77,800 £73,700
Retail £95,250 £93,250 £89,250

1999 V
Trade £84,900 £82,700 £78,300
Retail £100,700 £98,500 £94,250

2000 X
Trade £93,500 £91,000 £86,000
Retail £110,000 £107,500 £102,500

Or for similar money

2000 V Rolls-Royce Corniche
2001 Y Bentley Continental T coupé
2004 04 Ferrari 360m Spider F1
2004 54 Aston Martin DB9 V12 Volante
2007 57 Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG