Preview of Spotting Prince Bahar of Brunei's Yellow Coachbuilt Bentleys

His Royal Highness Prince Bahar of Brunei had the worlds most amazing Yellow Car Collection. 

When he was 14.

Here is a preview of Spotting Bentleys in the Yellow Room of Brunei.

11 Bentleys are in the yellow room. 

• 2x Bentley Continental R
• 1x Bentley Continental R Convertible by Pininfarina (coachbuilt Continental R, pre-Azure)
• 1x Bentley Dominator (Off Road Bentley based on a Range Rover 4.6 HSE Supercharged)
• 1x Bentley Spectre (coachbuilt Continental R Convertible by Pininfarina)
• 1x Bentley Imperial (coachbuilt Continental R)
• 1x Bentley Continental R 4-door Saloon LWB (coachbuilt Continental R)
• 1x Bentley B3 by Pininfarina (coachbuilt Continental R)
• 1x Bentley B2 by Pininfarina (coachbuilt Continental R)
• 1x Monte Carlo (coachbuilt Continental R)
• 1x Bentley Dominator - in black, not yellow!

Here is a preview of 5 coachbuilt Bentley Cars of Prince Bahar of Brunei.

More to come, including a complete map of all the cars in HRH Prince Bahar's Yellow Car Room.

The Versatility of 1994 Bentley Silverstone Roof

The P150 Bentley Silverstone is an interesting, versatile car.

Project 150 or P150 was the Crewe Project code for the Bentley Silverstone. The customer was Blackpool which is the codename for the Royal Family of Brunei.

The Bentley Silverstone was designed by Hawtal Whiting and built by ASC, American Sunroof Corporation from Detroit, who subcontracted Metalcrafters in California to do most of the work.

It is a coachbuilt car based on the Bentley Continental R SZ chassis, with an upgraded twin turbo engine.

An initial order of 6 Bentley Silverstone cars was secured for 1994, then a further 2 were build as an additional order in 1995.

Here are the details of each car built.

Marque	Model	Numberplate	Year	VIN	Exterior	Interior	Garage Pics
Bentley	Silverstone	KF8877	1994	SCBZH04A0RCH00301	Black	Black	Yes
Bentley	Silverstone	BN19	1994	SCBZH04A2RCH00302	Green	Green	Outside
Bentley	Silverstone	BN5995	1994	SCBZH04A4RCH00303	Green	Green	Yes
Bentley	Silverstone	BQ9989	1994	SCBZM04A6RCH00304	Silver	Black	Yes
Bentley	Silverstone	Unknown	1994	SCBZH04A8RCH00305	Charcoal	Black?	Metalcrafters
Bentley	Silverstone	BN68	1994	SCBZH04AXRCH00306	Red	Red	Yes
Bentley	Silverstone	KF8809	1995	SCBZH04C3SCH00476	Black	Black	Yes
Bentley	Silverstone	BN368	1995	SCBZH04C5SCH00477	Yellow	Red	Yes

What has not been spoken much about the car is just how versatile this car is. 

Essentially it is 3 cars in one.

• It is a Coupe, like the Bentley Continental R
• It is a Convertible, like the Bentley Azure
• It is a Targa, like the Bentley Continental SC.

This car was in 1994, so it pre-dates the 1995 Bentley Azure, which is a Continental R Convertible, and pre-dates the 1999 Continental SC, which is a Continental R Targa or Sedanca Coupe.

• The Bentley Silverstone has a hard top convertible roof - the Bentley Azure only a fabric soft top convertible roof
• The Bentley Silverstone has a fully automatic single section Targa roof - the Bentley Continental SC only has a manual two section hard top roof 

Let's check a close up of this special converting roof.

Notice the two sections of the hard top - a centre section panel, and a second rear section of the roof.

Now lets look from the rear of the car.

Notice that it does not have a traditional cut line for an opening boot or trunk.

It is quite a large boot, and yes there are two Bentley Silverstone cars next to each other.

It's quite large, as this boot is for the roof, and not for luggage.

This is how the 3 position Coupe, Targa and Convertible roof works.

The boot opens in the opposite direction than expected and is rear hinged. 

The rear window section has it's individual retracting mechanism to stow it in the boot.

The centre targa roof section also has it's individual retracting mechanism to stow is in the boor under the rear window section.

It's pretty cool how complicated and fully automatic this roof mechanism is on the Bentley Silverstone.

Here is how the car looks at a Targa or SC.

I like it. It's a Bentley Continental SC before the Conti SC existed. 

Here is how the car looks as a convertible.

It is quite special that this is a fully automatic hardtop convertible.

Now a top down look at the Bentley Silverstone in convertible mode.

There is no fabric roof to be seen here.

So how do you control this roof mechanism? 

Well first jump into the interior.

In the centre console next to the gear selector there are the roof controls. 

There are two control switches each with two positions.

The top switch allows for the selection of Coupe or Targa.

The bottom switch allows for the selection of Coupe of Convertible.

The Bentley Silverstone is such a versatile car due to it's 3 position fully automatic hard top convertible, targa or coupe roof.

What is interesting this that one of the cars has a different interior design. 

Here is SCBZH04A4RCH00303, where this photo was taken in 2001 in Garage 1 Upper Level in Brunei.

This car is the one with a different interior.

It has different seats, steering wheel, different dashboard and a redesigned centre console. 

The seat adjustments and seat memory functions are re-located to the door panel from the centre console.

However the roof function buttons of either a "Coupe or Targa" - or a "Coupe or Convertible" are located next to the gear selector as per the other cars.

This is actually the interior design of that of the Bentley B3 by Pininfarina.

Here are the two variations of switches side by side.

I just wanted to include this photo - as it actually shows 5 different Bentley Silverstone cars all in the one picture. 5 of the 8 cars made. Nice.

The graphic below includes the cars 2001 Location in Garage 1 Upper Level in Jerudong, Brunei, the Colour, Number Plate and VIN.

Garage 1 Upper Level in Jerudong, Brunei was actually at the back of HRH Prince Hakeem's Palace, though he no longer resides there.  

For more photos and information on the Bentley Silverstone check out more here.

And a special thank you to Hans Porrio for the photo from Schiphol Airport of the roof mechanism in action. This was taken when the car was on it's way to Brunei.

Sultan of Brunei's Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II Touring Limousine

Here is a very nice Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II Touring Limousine.

Easy to work out who owns it, considering it has the Brunei flag flapping.



Anyone know much about this number plate? I am presuming its a diplomatic plate.



I have to say that is profile of limousine is so much better than just stretching the middle out.

It is just so well proportioned.

Queen Elizabeth II & Duke Edinburgh Visit Nigeria

Here are some nice press photos of HM Queen Elizabeth II & HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to Nigeria.



The visit was held in 1956, and the car?

Well it is a 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB registration number ALW 11.



The body is very nice, and was made by Hooper & Co. Body No. 9867. Design No. 8335 being a 4 door cabrolet.

The lights embedded into the front fenders you don't see everyday.

Here is the car with a different paint job.



Now with the roof raised.

The car was built for Nubar Gulbenkin Esq.



Thanks rroyce0615 and Jimmy Tyler for uploading the photos.

Rolls-Royce Cloudesque made by Heuliez for the Sultan of Brunei

The Rolls-Royce Cloudesque made commissioned by the Royal Family of Brunei.

Three Rolls Royce Cloudesque cars were made, two in 1995 and another in 1997.

They were made by the French coachbuilder by Heuliez.



From the VIN numbers the cars featured 6.75 Litre V8, naturally aspirated, non-catalyst exhaust system engines, were 'built' in Crewe , right hand drive with twin air bags. Build in Crewe I presume means that they were signed off there.

Initially two cars were registered in Brunei and one in the UK.

The registration number plate of the UK car is N282 AMP. If you spot it, take a photo! The Brunei number plates BQ 6363 and KF 7899.



Here are the VIN for the cars.

1995 Rolls-Royce Cloudesque SCAZH008SSCH0006
1995 Rolls-Royce Cloudesque SCAZH00C6SCH00062
1997 Rolls-Royce Cloudesque SCAZH13C4VCH00468

What is new is that Heuliez have posted a photo of the Rolls-Royce Cloudesque in the body-in-white stage of the construction.

Quite a unique photo.



Just take a look at all the detail build around the number plate. Quite amazing. Certainly not done on the cheap, or with any cost considerations I might imagine.

As always, if anyone has any further information and photos please do email.

Please Heuliez, post some more!

Bentley Buccaneer made by Heuliez for the Sultan of Brunei

I do like the 1996 Bentley Buccaneer made for the Sultan of Brunei made by the French coachbuilder Heuliez. I am unaware who designed it, but to me it does look Italian, and could have been Zagato.



It really is a design study precursor to the Bentley Continental GT.

Bentley knew where they were heading design wise, and having a customer like the Sultan of Brunei willing to spend millions on each car enables them to push the envelope and come up with the future, well before the public got a glimpse.



Just look at it. This is in 1996. Bentley GT.



The Bentley was built in Crewe in 1996, has dual airbags, features a 6.75 Litre V8, single Garrett turbocharger, non-catalyst engine is right hand drive and is built on the special "ZH" chassis, like many of the other Sultan car.



The VIN numbers, model and Brunei registration numbers for the 6 made are as follows:

SCBZH16C3TCH00434 Bentley Buccaneer BM 1154
SCBZH16C5TCH00435 Bentley Buccaneer BP 2121
SCBZH16C7TCH00436 Bentley Buccaneer KF 9998
SCBZH16C9TCH00437 Bentley Buccaneer KF 9997
SCBZH16C0TCH00438 Bentley Buccaneer BQ 1122
SCBZH16C2TCH00439 Bentley Buccaneer BP 9191

Now some new photos!

Heuliez have uploaded some photos of the car being constructed.

Here it is in what I think is known as the body in white stage if it had been constructed in Crewe.



Now at the paint stage. Just look at the front. The design is so forward thinking. It looks like it could have been made today, not 15 years ago!



Now some interior shots. Not standard Bentley at all. I do like the oversized B logo on the rear pillar.



Take a look at the interior light detail, it evens looks a little art deco. It actually reflects the front fender coachline detail as well.

Retro and fresh at the same time.



Thank you so much to Heuliez for uploading these photos.

Hopefully more will appear over time.

Thanks to Maurice for sending in the photos.

Bentley Dominator for the Royal Family of Brunei

Let's take a look at some very, very rare photos. Slightly cheeky photos as well.

The livery on the plane places the location quite well.

That's right, these are pictures from the tarmac at Brunei International Airport, and the plane in the background is from Royal Brunei Air.

Well, this is not a plane spotting blog, but a Bentley Spotting blog.

See the four wheel drive/4x4/ SUV in front of the plane?

Yep, it's a Bentley.

That's right, a proper, real Bentley SUV from Crewe.

It is the Bentley Dominator.



The Bentley Dominator was a special commission coachbuilt Bentley for the Royal Family of Brunei.

It goes down in history as the first Bentley SUV every produced, well before the Porsche Cayenne, the VW Touareg or the AUDI Q7, of you get my drift.

A total of 6 Bentley Dominators were built for the Sultan of Brunei, or most likely his playboy brother, Prince Jefri.

Here is a good up close look at the front of the Bentley Dominator.



All 6 Bentley Dominators were built in 1996.

This was at the hight of the Royal Family of Brunei special car buying spree, where is it said that Prince Jefri spent around you know, 8-14 billion dollars in about a decade on things like, well a Bentley Dominator. And gold dunny brushes.

Here is a good shot of the rear of the car.



From this view you can see that there is a split to the rear tail gate. Take a close look were the glass and the polished metal stripe with the distinctive Bentley badge is. There is a split, where the glass and metal surround opens up, then there is the lower tail gate that would open down.

The rear bumper bar is moulded to fit the opened down lower section of the tail gate. It actually would make quite a good seat.

Just like the car is is based on. That's right, the Bentley Dominator is pretty obviously based on the Land Rover Range Rover.

From the VIN we know that the Bentley Dominator was built in 1996. With the Range Rover, the series 2, otherwise known as the Range Rover P38A was introduced in 1995. The last on the Range Rover Classics were made in 1996.

I'm not quite sure if the Bentley Dominator was a Classic or a P38A , but I'm pretty sure that Bentley would have asked for the latest and newest version for this prized customer.



The car is very impressive.

The VIN number for all the Bentley Dominators constructed are:

SCBTH98C5TCH00422 with Brunei registration plate BP 9669
SCBTH98C7TCH00423 with Brunei registration plate BQ 7667
SCBTH98C9TCH00424 with Brunei registration plate BQ 7587
SCBTH98C0TCH00425 no registration plate known
SCBTH98C2TCH00426 with Brunei registration plate BQ 7570 (yellow coloured)
SCBTH98C4TCH00427 with Brunei registration plate BS 9929

From decoding the VIN using my previous article here we know a bit about the car, but not as much as you expect.

The chassis of the car is 'TH' and the engine is '98'. But when you look up the Bentley manual of VIN numbers, chassis TH and engine 98 are no where to be seen. Such was the secrecy of the construction of these cars for the Royal Family of Brunei. The knowledge of their existence was kept very close.

That is why these photos are so rare and special.



Apparently these are relatively new photos are of the Bentley Dominator returning to Brunei. Where did it go? Why did it temporary leave Brunei? Does it coincide with any recent announcements?

I have no idea of the actual reason why the car left Brunei for a bit.

So I will make one up.



It is well known that the current Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer was head of Porsche’s research and development team during the time the Porsche Cayenne SUV was being conceived. And he wants a Bentley SUV made so he can double the sales of Bentley Motor cars. Then get back into racing with Team Bentley.

So he asks his the people at Crewe, "Do you gents know anything about designing and building a SUV?"

The answer was "Yes, new boss, of course we do. We have made about half a dozen around 15 years ago." "We sold the lot as well, for about 20 million pounds." "Made a killing."

"That's great news chaps, I want to see one."

"Oh..."

A little while later....

"Hello your Royal Highness, good afternoon." "We have a new boss and he is very interested in making a new Bentley SUV, and we told him about the Bentley Dominator we made for you in 1996." "Do you remember it?" "Is it ok if we borrow it for a bit to show the boss?" "We will bring it back to you of course."

"Thanks Sultan, we'll use your plane."



Probably did not happen, but I am hoping it did.

For more posts on the Royal Family of Brunei cars check out my previous articles -

The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam's Different Bentleys
The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam's Different Rolls Royces
The Bentley Buccaneer
Bentley B3 by Pininfarina
Bentley Sports Estate
Mulliner Park Ward Limousines
Bentley Continential Range
Sultan of Brunei Bentley Continential R Special
Bentley B2 Convertible by Pininfarina
The Bentley Rapier
Brunei Royal Wedding Procession
Bentley Rapier Spotted Again
Bentley Silverstone
Rolls Royce Mulliner Park Ward Limousine
Bentley Sports estate car for Brunei
Bentley Continental Estate Car for Brunei
Practical Yellow Bentleys
Rolls-Royce Phantom Majestic by Bertone
Sufacon - SUper FAst CONtinental
'The Emperor' State Limousine by Hooper for the Royal Family of Brunei

If you only care about looking at photos, this may interest you.

Bentley Spottings Royal Family of Brunei Gallery



If anyone else would like to contribute to this gallery please email.

The Royal motorcade at Royal Ascot

Quite a nice look at the Royal motorcade at Royal Ascot.

And yes, the band is playing Dancing Queen as the Queen leaves in her Bentley.

The Queen's Bentley State Limousine First Official Outing

Here is the Bentley State Limousine on it's first official outing.

There is an interesting reference to Jeremy Clarkson.



And where does the Bentley take the Queen? Well to her party, where a lovely Australian introduces her.

Hello possums.

The Jubilee girl is here!



It is good form!

Sufacon

A SUFACON has turned up for sale again.

It sounds like the name of an eighties alternative band, but no, it's a specially modified 1993 Continental R (SUper FAst CONtinental - how clever..) for none other than the Sultan of Brunei.



The extra louvres and the different front bumper do look good.

A previous Brunei Special SUFACON again from 1993 has turned up for sale before as well.

Here is a picture of another SUFACON - without side vents and no mesh under front lights. More info here.



It is presumed that these two Bentley Specials were from a run of two Continental Rs made for the Sultan (or more specifically the Royal Family of Brunei) SCBZB04D7PCH00207 Bentley Continental R UK registration JB3, and SCBZH04D0PCH00208 Bentley Continental R UK registration 1H, from the Sultan of Brunei VIN number list. Read more about the Sultan's Bentleys here and Rolls Royce's here, more a greater number of posts relating to Sultans, Shieks, Kings and Queens here.

Presumed upgrades include Twin Intercoolers, Water Injection, Special Louvered Vents, 17" Bentley Alloy Wheels and Azure Seats.

The Continental R is one of those cars that just ages gracefully - a bit like Sophia Loren... Designers John Heffernan and Ken Greenley (of DB7 fame) did a great job and I'm sure they know it.



The car is currently for sale for £85,000 from P&A Wood.



Read more about the other SUFACON here, including the previous sale price for those that are interested.

(Posted by David Irvine- and again, thanks to Alain for info)

Flying B for the boy and a Flying Lady for the lady.

So I think we all know who got married today, so lets take a look at the ceremonial cars from Crewe.

Well, the boy arrived in a flying B, the Bentley State Limousine.



Here is the video of the boy in his grandmother's Bentley leaving his house, then going to the Abbey to get married.



What is quite rare is that the Bentley State Limousine was appropriately configured for full ceremonial purposes.

Configured you may ask, how?

What is not that well known it that the Bentley State Limousine is actually a glassed Landaulet.

That is, that the rear of the car can be converted to a glass roof by removing external panels.

Lets take a look.

Here is the standard configuration of the Bentley State Limousine, noting the size of the rear window.



Now here is the car as it was configured for the Royal Wedding, in its converted state as a ceremonial Landaulet.



This car is just so appropriate for this exact function.

If you are going to have millions of people watching you, have a car where you can configure it to have an excellent amount of light let in and great viewing from so many angles.



Like these from above, just look how huge the glass rear window actually is. It is so well designed to preform ceremonial functions like this.



Now to the Flying Lady on the lady's car.

The lucky lady borrowed her grandmother-in-law's 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI chassis # PGH101 for her big day.



Here is a video of her daddy taking her to the Abbey to marry the future King.



Now arriving at the Abbey, it certainly looks very nice.



And guess what? The grandmother-in-law's older car was also appropriately configured for this ceremony.

That's right, it also is a glassed Landaulet, which gives amazing views of the occupants.



Here is the car in a significantly less ceremonial incident where it was appropriately configured in its standard way.



Very good work to the lads who bought this car back to its proper state for the world wide public to enjoy.

Now back to the Abbey. It is great to see the convertible in action. It is moments like these where it is the peoples turn to have a look and celebrate. The Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars just deliver in enabling people to see what is going on, whilst keeping the occupants protected from the elements, looking good in style and in comfort.



Now the video of the daddy and daughter arriving at the Abbey.



She does look stunning.



With an appropriate mode of transport in the background of course.



After the wedding I noticed something that I'm guessing not many people did, or in fact had any interest in what-so-ever - however I did, so I'm going to report it.


On the procession to Buckingham Palace from the Abbey, the principal dignitaries rode again appropriately in the horse drawn State carriages.

Here is the video.



Notice it? The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was converted back into its standard configuration during the wedding!

The rear compartment external panels are now back in place, appropriately of course, as it does not contain the principal dignitaries.



Where did they store them? In the boot of course.

Here is a diagram from the manual of Phantom VI chassis # PGH101 on how to store the panels in the boot of this car.



It's the details that make the British the best in the world at hosting ceremonies.

Good luck to the happy couple.

Then of course this happened.

The boy borrowed his Dad's car and drove his bride back to his house for presumably some after wedding action.



Here is the video from the Palace.



And from a news provider.



Again, British ceremonies are the best.

To the future King and Queen of Australia. Hopefully. Maybe.