In 2003, Bentley ushered in a new age of motor cars, one that re-established independence from Rolls-Royce after a marriage of nearly three-quarters of a century. From the first of January, only Volkswagen would manufacture and sell Bentley cars, while BMW would do the same for Rolls. The first Bentley model to mark this split was the Continental GT.

A sleek 2+2 grand touring coupe, the Continental GT abandoned V-8 power for a six-liter twin-turbo W-12. The new engine developed 552-hp at 6,100-rpm and was mated to a ZF 6HP26 six-speed automatic transmission.

For 2005 came the Continental Flying Spur, essentially a four-door companion to the GT. Longer and roomier, it was necessarily heavier, but gave up to its sibling barely three miles per hour and two-tenths of a second in performance. Motor Trend tested one by driving from Venice to Munich and found it surprisingly agile, roomy and very fast. Together with the Continental GT, the Flying Spur bettered the fortunes of VW’s Bentley, increasing sales nine-fold in three years.

The example offered here is handsomely finished in black and a stunning black with red seating leather interior. It has all the trimmings and features one expects of such an ultra-luxurious sedan, beginning with the most luxurious hides, wood trim and Wilton carpets. The car indicates low mileage from new by its single owner, and its superior condition is commensurate with its mileage. Cosmetic issues are few and far between. As Motor Trend editor Angus McKenzie said, “quite simply, there's no faster, more comfortable way of crossing a continent this side of a private jet.”