BENTLEY SPOTTING

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam's Different Bentleys

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Al-Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Almarhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien - layman's translation - Sultan Hassanal son of Sultan Omar of the State of Brunei - is simply the richest man in the world.

So it is not a case of how you are going to buy it, but what you are going to buy. Obviously it came to a point where Bentley's range on offer was not enough, so The Sultan of Brunei and his brother 'playboy' Prince Jefri just commissioned Bentley to make more.

So Bentley did. Here is an abridged list of some of the more unusual Bentleys that the Royal family of Brunei owns.

Most are extremely hard to find pictures of, but I have done my best. Generally they cost millions of pounds each to develop and make.

Make - Model - Registration - VIN Number.



As written previously you can learn how to decode the VIN here.


The Sultan attended the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. He really liked the Bentley Java concept. It was not in production. Obviously that did not matter. He ordered many, even including an estate version. I do not recall that at the show.

From the pen of Graham Hull head of design at Rolls Royce / Bentley and Roy Axe from the Design Research Associates limited came the Bentley Java.

The Sultan owns

BENTLEY JAVA P700 BQ7878 SCBVH99C8RCH00480
BENTLEY JAVA P710 BQ9222 SCBVH99C5TCH00492
BENTLEY JAVA BS9997 SCBVH99C4TCH00497

and ten other Bentley Java's.

The Java Convertible.

Bentley Java

The Java Coupe.

Bentley Java

From the above VIN numbers the Java's listed were built in 1994, 1994 and 1996. They were model 'VH' which is not on the standard list, were built at the Crewe factory, had twin airbags and were right hand drive. The engine model number is 99 and from the data of the Java and the motor show was a twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter 32-valve V8 engine.

Loading the Sultans Bentleys.

Bentley Java

The Bentley Java Estate.

Bentley Java

More Bentley Java Estates. From the models there seems to be a 700 version a 710 version and just simple the Java. These differences in models most likely differentiate the different body styles, that is the convertible, the coupe and the estate.

Bentley Java


Next I present the Sultans Bentley B3.

Examples he owns.

BENTLEY B3 BQ7130 SCBZB04C7SCH52386
BENTLEY B3 BP3388 SCBZB04CXSCH52382
BENTLEY B3 BN1111 SCBZB04C4RCH52081

plus 9 other Bentley B3's from the published list.

The Bentley B3 was designed and built by Pinninfarina. From the above VIN the cars were based on the Continental R/S chassis, featured the 6.75 Litre V8, single Garrett turbocharger, cross-bolted crankshaft, non catalyst motor, right hand drive, built in Crewe and were made in 1995, 1995 and 1994.

Bentley B3

Loading onto the plane headed for South East Asia.

Bentley B3

Bentley B3

Now the rear of the Bentley B3.

Bentley B3



The convertible below is part of the collection. Most people on other sites say it is a Bentley Java. I believe it is not a Bentley Java.

The Bentley clearly displays the Pininfarina badge on the side. The Bentley Java was designed by Graham Hull and the Design Research Associates, not Pininfarina. I think this Bentley is a Bentley B2.

Bentley B2

Do you think that the registration says BP3000 as in BENTLEY B2 BP3000 SCBZB04C2SCH52389

Look at the front. The grill is mesh. The Java is vains. The bottom of the Java grill is straight, this is round. The Java has one piece lights, this has two individual lights like the B3. It is not the Bentley Java but the Bentley B2.

A Bentley B2 model was also built on the Continental R/S chassis.

BENTLEY B2 BN20 SCBZB04CXSCH52351
BENTLEY B2 BP3000 SCBZB04C2SCH52389
BENTLEY B2 BP1189 SCBZB04C1SCH52383

plus 14 other Bentley B2's.

Now it gets more interesting. Have a look at these Bentley model names. Sure you have heard of them before.

BENTLEY CAMELOT BP818 SCBZH04C5RCH00408
BENTLEY PHOENIX BN99 SCBZH04A9SCH00142
BENTLEY IMPERIAL BP3131 SCBZH04C8SCH00344

Who would have thought, a Bentley Camelot, or a Bentley Phoenix. Annoyingly I could not find photographs of these cars that are definitely the images of these unique Bentleys.

They are all built on a mysterious chassis model 'ZH'. My guess it that the 'H' stands for Hassanal. The Sultan did have a personal 'Sultan Spec' Engine for his Rolls Royces so why not a Bentley chassis?

More 'ZH' chassis cars. No idea how they look. I do want to see what a Bentley Spectre looks like. Sounds very James Bond.

BENTLEY RAPIER BP220 SCBZH16C7TCH00429
BENTLEY SPECTRE DPM SCBZH04A9SCH00125

I did manage to find some photographs of Bentleys built on the mysterious 'ZH' chassis.

May I present the 1996 Bentley Buccaneer - featuring the 6.75 Litre V8, single Garrett turbocharger, non-catalyst motor, right hand drive, Crewe built car. Yes the Bentley Buccaneer.

BENTLEY BUCCANEER KF9928 SCBZH16C3TCH00434

Bentley Buccaneer

Another 'ZH' chassis car. This time the 1994 Bentley Grand Prix, featuring a 6.75 Litre V8, single Garrett turbocharger, cross-bolted crankshaft, non catalyst motor, Crewe built right hand drive car. The Bentley Grand Prix.

BENTLEY GRANDPRIX BP9299 SCBZH04C0RCH00364
BENTLEY GRANDPRIX BQ7568 SCBZH0AC2RCH00365

Bentley Grand Prix

Now the rear of the Bentley Grand Prix.

Bentley Grand Prix

Now a spy photo when Bentley was testing the car.

Bentley Grand Prix

A further 'ZH' chassis car. This time the 'Silverston' I presume the Silverstone. I think it looks bird like at the front, but rather dramatic at the back!

BENTLEY SILVERSTON BQ9989 SCBZM04A6RCH00304 - incorrent VIN? ZM I think should be ZH
BENTLEY SILVERSTON BN368 SCBZH04C5SCH00477
BENTLEY SILVERSTON KF8809 SCBZH04C3SCH00476

Bentley SILVERSTONeNow for the rear of the Silverstone. Quite a surprise!





Now 'ZH' based Bentley Models with poor photos.

BENTLEY MONTECARLO BP1133 SCBZH04C2SCH00324

BENTLEY MONTECARLO

BENTLEY PEGASUS BQ7170 SCBZH16C9TCH00440

BENTLEY PEGASUS

BENTLEY PEGASUS

BENTLEY PEGASUS


Uncharted Bentley Territory



We now move into uncharted Bentley territory.

Here is a Sultan 'ZH' Bentley. It is either the Bentley CAMELOT, PHOENIX, IMPERIAL, RAPIER or the SPECTRE.

My educated guess based on some South East Asian cultural awareness, is that the car looks quite Asian and Royal, is painted in the Royal Sultan colour of yellow, only 6 were on the list - about half the usual order, and one had no registration just like the photo, I would guess this Bentley to be the Bentley IMPERIAL.

BENTLEY IMPERIAL NONE SCBZH04C2SCH00341

BENTLEY IMPERIAL

Now the rear.

BENTLEY IMPERIAL

Now another mystery. What Bentley do you think? The Bentley CAMELOT, PHOENIX, IMPERIAL, RAPIER or the SPECTRE?



Close up of the wheels.



One in five chance to get it right. Under exam conditions I would pick D Bentley Rapier. That sounds like a four door. The others just don't fit visually.


The largest Louis Vuitton wardrobe case does not fit in a standard Turbo R. You need the Jankel built Bentley Val D'Iser. It is even 4x4 as well. Perfect for driving through Sarawak to get to the other part of the Sultanate.

BENTLEY VAL D'ISER BL888 SCBZR04A7MCH34032
BENTLEY VAL D'ISER KE9977 SCBZR04A9LCH31177

BENTLEY VAL D'ISER

BENTLEY VAL D'ISER

BENTLEY VAL D'ISER

BENTLEY VAL D'ISER


Currently on sale at Chelsea Workshop London is this interesting Bentley estate car that was previously featured on Bentley Spotting here. The front of this car is not like the Turbo R that the Bentley Val D'Iser is based on. It front end is quite different. The front end is much more like a Continental R than a Turbo R, and even more like the Bentley Pegasus without the indicators. Is this car for sale the 'ZH' chassis Bentley Sports Estate? I do think so.

BENTLEY SPORTS EST BN1968 SCBZH04D5PCH00205

BENTLEY SPORTS EST

BENTLEY SPORTS EST

Here is another. It is a four door car based on the Continental R.

It is either the Bentley Camelot, Phoenix, Imperial, Rapier or Spectre.

This photo was taken in London.



This photo was taken in Brunei.



You have to remember we are talking Borneo here. South East Asia is not known for its smooth roads. So when the Sultan is out hunting orang-utans he needs a proper vehicle - what else would be better than the Bentley Dominator? Oh I was not meant to say the orang-utan comment. The Dominator.

Based on the 'TH' chassis - see 'H' for Hassanal again - otherwise called the Range Rover, the 1996 Bentley Dominator, with motor code 98, built in Crewe with dual airbags by the way.

1996 Bentley Dominator.

BENTLEY DOMINATOR BQ7667 SCBTH98C7TCH00423
BENTLEY DOMINATOR BQ7570 SCBTH98C2TCH00426
BENTLEY DOMINATOR BS9929 SCBTH98C4TCH00427

BENTLEY DOMINATOR

On the planes bound for Borneo.

BENTLEY DOMINATOR



Oh, and who could forget one of the Sultans weddings, just after his brides' 18th birthday. Lovely. I think you are allowed four wives.

Sultan Brunei Wedding

Sultan Brunei Wedding

Sultan Brunei Wedding

Now for a mention of other 'ZH' models, this time from 'SCA' VINs, yes Rolls Royce cars on the 'ZH' platform.

ROLLS ROYCE ROYALE DPD SCAZH04C3SCH00014
ROLLS ROYCE MAJESTIC NONE SCAZH04A6SCH00023
ROLLS ROYCE CLOUDESQUE KF7899 SCAZH00C6SCH00062
ROLLS ROYCE PHANTOM V NONE SCAZH00A9SCH00071 - A Phantom V in 1995?

Here are some pictures of the Royal Families' different Rolls Royce cars.

This is either the Rolls Royce Majestic or Cloudesque. From the front lights it looks Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III to me, so maybe the Cloudesque.





Same again, this car below is either a Rolls Royce, Majestic or Cloudesque. And no it is not the same car as above. Different wheels, different rear D pillar slope, different hinged rear doors. It is a different model.

Your Royal Highness.





Now some more recent information. It is well known that there are auctions held to sell some of the Sultans cars, even recently.

Taking photographs at these auctions is strictly forbidden. They are held in the garages.

Here are the standard photos of the garages that have been published.





One cheeky citizen of Brunei took this photograph at an auction where he bought himself a BMW.



There are Bentleys for sale!

For a look at the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam's Different Rolls Royces check out a newer post here.

For all Bentley Spotting posts relating to the Royal Family of Brunei's cars click here.

Pictures from various sources (Chelsea Workshop, Jarborra, Auto Express) List of Sultans cars (German Car Zone), and a very special mention to the internet superstar of the Sultan's car collection, Basman007 from Supercars.net, )

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6 Comments:

At 5:36 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great web site. I have some details relating to the Java which will help. Production started in 1996 and ended in 1998. The Java, Dominator and some of the other 'specials' were not built at Crewe due to capacity problems so the contracts were awarded to various specialist coachbuilders. The Java project was handled by a company called MGA based in the Midlands. Despite being built by MGA it was engineered by a team from Crewe. The Java was built in Warwick, Warwickshire and the following was produced. 6 convertables, 6 estates and 6 coupes. The specs were the same for all apart from body configuration, colour and I think the Coupe had a longer wheelbase. The vehicles were tested at MIRA under cover of darkness and the only spy photos were as per your site which were snapped at Heathrow whilst waiting to be loaded onto a carrier for Brunei. Bentley did not have an engine compact enough to fit the Java as seen at the Geneva Motor Show so a 4.0 V8 alternative was sourced from a well known German vehicle. The engines were sent to an established engine 'performance enhancer' where amoungst the mods, twin turbos and an intercooler were fitted. All the original manufacturers branding was removed and neat "Bentley' badged engine covers were fitted. Soon after the delivery of the last vehicle the Sultan's funds dried up and the purchase of this calibre of vehicle came to an end. Unforunately, of the many bespoke vehicles that the Royal family had made very few can be admired by the public as they were shipped away in secrecy and probably left to the elements or scrapped.

 
At 3:07 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

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At 11:00 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous is incorrect in stating that the 18 Javas were engineered by a tram from crewe. The engineering was also undetaken by MGA, primarily in teir Oxford facility

 
At 11:04 am, Blogger Car Lover said...

The things you can do with an unlimited bank account.....I'm just a wee bit jealous of His Royal Highness.

 
At 1:52 am, Blogger drotto said...

Six of each of the Javas were produced, by MGA in Warwick not Oxford. The convertible car had to have the rear suspension re-designed to accommodate the hood sticks. This was done by a locally based auto consulting company. They also had BMW850 brakes.
As for your description of the Grand Prix - you couldn't be further from the truth!! It is still secret

 
At 2:38 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

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