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The Arnage breathes Bentley. The legendary six-and-three-quarter-litre V8 leaves no room for doubt.
An Arnage had been on my wish list for many years, yet somehow the right one never came along. With a car like this, everything has to be just right: the colour combination, the engine, the condition, the provenance and, naturally, the price. Perhaps most importantly, the timing has to feel right.
Then, almost unexpectedly, an appreciated relation offered me this exceptional Arnage. As you might expect, the deal was concluded rather quickly.
Because this Arnage is simply magnificent. Beneath its long bonnet lies Bentley’s legendary six-and-three-quarter-litre V8, an engine that has become inseparable from the marque itself. The coachwork is finished in Black Sapphire Metallic: a wonderfully deep blue that appears almost black on an overcast day, yet reveals remarkable depth and richness when sunlight catches it.
Inside, the craftsmanship is every bit as impressive. Beautiful Burr Walnut veneer surrounds you wherever you look, while the combination of Saffron leather with French Navy secondary hide creates a cabin that feels both warm and unmistakably British. Deep Navy carpets complete the interior perfectly.
A Bentley is a car in which everything feels considered. It is an experience unlike any other, where extraordinary quality reveals itself in the smallest details.
Take the finish around the wonderfully smooth tilt-and-slide sunroof. The leather has been sculpted perfectly around the opening and finished with exquisite stitching. Or the vanity mirrors integrated into the C-pillars, framed by Burr Walnut and leather. Even the rear picnic tables are fitted with beautifully chromed hinges.
Bentley has always excelled at bringing together the very finest elements of automotive craftsmanship into a single work of art.
I could talk about these details for hours. The window switches feel reassuringly solid, finished in beautifully chromed metal. The dashboard air vents are equally impressive; not plastic with a chrome-effect finish, but precision-machined metal components, polished and then chrome-plated. To many these may seem insignificant details, but it is precisely details like these that define the ownership experience.
For me, one feature above all captures the essence of the Arnage: the five analogue gauges positioned proudly in the centre of the dashboard, displaying the vital signs of that immense eight-cylinder engine. Their almost cockpit-like arrangement fascinated me more than fifteen years ago, so much so that I based the dashboard of our own Morgan 4/4 on this very concept.
As you have probably gathered by now, I have a genuine admiration for this Bentley.
Turning to the facts, this Arnage was supplied new in the Netherlands on 4 October 2002 by Hessing. Throughout its life it has been maintained consistently by Bentley dealers and recognised specialists, with the history carefully documented in the original service portfolio. Its maintenance history is therefore exceptionally well recorded, exactly as you would hope to find in a car of this calibre.
A lovely detail is that the original service book, complete with every official stamp, has finally run out of space. So what do you do as a true enthusiast? Exactly what the previous owner did: order an original Extended Service Schedules booklet to continue the car’s history. The first stamp has already been added, with the most recent service carried out in February 2026.
What a wonderful motor car this is. So wonderful, in fact, that we recently took it to Paris with the family. This is precisely the sort of journey an Arnage was built for. Its hydraulic suspension and automatic self-levelling system keep the car perfectly composed, even with four occupants and a full load of luggage. Space is abundant, comfort effortless, and everything feels reassuringly over-engineered.
Press the accelerator at 180 km/h and the Arnage gathers speed as though it were accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h. Downshifting? Entirely unnecessary with a torque curve like this: an extraordinary 835 Nm available at just 3,250 rpm.
I can almost hear the question already: But is a Bentley like this actually reliable?
The Arnage is as reliable as your expectations allow it to be. Its engineering is fundamentally robust and dependable, and this is not a car that simply leaves you stranded. The venerable V8 is a thoroughly proven engine, while the overall mechanical package was remarkably modern for its time.
Occasionally a warning light may illuminate—perhaps the ABS or traction control. More often than not, it disappears again on the next journey. It rarely affects the way the car drives and certainly doesn’t diminish the pleasure of owning it. Had I ever questioned this Arnage’s ability to cover serious distances, I certainly wouldn’t have taken my own family to Paris in it.
You could probably think of a hundred sensible reasons why I should keep this Bentley myself. After all, a classic like this serves no practical purpose whatsoever.
Yet over the years I have come to realise that this is exactly where true enthusiasm for motor cars begins. Owning something because you simply love it. A car you don’t need, and one you never feel the need to justify, not even to yourself.
That is also why you won’t hear a sales pitch when you come to see this Bentley. I’ll happily tell you about the car, its history and everything I know about it, but whether it belongs in your garage is a conclusion only you can reach. Until then, enjoy the photographs and the moving images on Instagram. And when the time feels right, come and see it for yourself.
If, after driving it, you decide to go home without the Arnage, that’s perfectly fine. Perhaps fishing is your passion. Or cycling. Those are wonderful pursuits too. A fair chance that true motoring enthusiasm simply isn’t.
There is still much more that could be said about this remarkable Bentley, but no description can replace seeing and driving the car in person. You are most welcome to visit by appointment. The coffee will be ready.
Why this Arnage R?
Marvellous color combination
Maintained exclusively by Bentley dealers and recognised specialists
Known ownership and service history
6¾ litres. Need we say more?
Export.
Premium British Motoring attracts enthusiasts from all over the world, and it shows: around half of our cars find their way to neighbouring countries. Naturally, we take care of the entire process, from purchase to export documentation, with insurance arranged if required. We speak Dutch, English and a touch of German, ensuring a smooth and personal experience.
Technical data.
Registered in: NL, EU
License plate: 58-JZ-FN
Origin: NL
Registration NL: 04-10-2002
First registration: 04-10-2002
Mileage: 174.493km
MOT expiry date: 09-01-2027, fresh at delivery
Cylinder bore: 6761cm3
Engine type: 8 cylinders in V setting
Vermogen: 298kW/405PK
Financial.
Bentley Arnage R 6.75 V8 – Black Sapphire Metallic – 174.493km – Y2002Fixed price: €36.950,-
Margin transaction, no VAT deductibleTrading in? Gladly!
