Car Collector International
Modern Classic · 1991–2003

Bentley Continental R

The first two-door Bentley in six decades — and the last hand-built car from Crewe.

CoupeSedanca Coupé
Car Collector International Editorial
Bentley Continental R
OverviewVariants & SpecsCollector VariantsBuyer's GuideWhat to PayOwnershipCommon ProblemsValuationAuction ResultsInvestment OutlookRecommended Network
Overview

Why this car matters

Unveiled at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show, the Continental R was the first Bentley since the R-Type Continental of 1952 to be conceived as a stand-alone two-door coupe rather than a Rolls-Royce derivative. Designed by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley, it wrapped the mechanicals of the Turbo R saloon in a bespoke steel body built at Crewe, and — priced at £160,000 at launch — was for a time the most expensive production car in the world.

Over a twelve-year run Bentley evolved the platform through a substantial family: the standard Continental R, the short-lived chargecooled S (1994–95), the short-wheelbase Continental T (1996–2003) with its aluminium dashboard and 420 hp Personal Commission spec, and the glass-roofed Continental SC 'Sedanca Coupé' (1998–2000) — the last true coach-built Bentley. A total of 1,854 cars were built across all variants before the Volkswagen-era GT replaced it (Wikipedia infobox; Classic & Sports Car, 'perpetuating the important commercial success of the Continental R (1854 examples sold over 12 years)').

The Continental R marks the end of one Bentley and the beginning of the next: the final hand-built car from the pre-Volkswagen Crewe factory, and the model that re-established Bentley as a two-door grand-touring marque after four decades in Rolls-Royce's shadow. The T Le Mans (five built), Continental SC (73 standard + 6 Mulliner), R Le Mans Series (46) and T Mulliner (23) are among the rarest post-war Bentleys of any generation, and are trading accordingly.

Variants

Range and production

VariantYearsProductionNotes
Continental R1991–20031,292Standard-wheelbase coupe. Verify — RRSilverSpirit chassis-range data gives 1,292; Wikipedia production table 1,236 (1991–2002 only); ClassicVS 1,290.
Continental S1994–199539Chargecooled 385 hp interim model. Verify — RRSilverSpirit 39; Wikipedia 37.
Continental R California Edition19986US-market wide-body pre-Mulliner. Verify — Wikipedia 6, notes 'speculation there were actually seven'.
Continental R Mulliner (Wide Body)1999–2003148Wide-body 420 hp Personal Commission. Verify — RRSilverSpirit 148; Wikipedia 131; Classic & Sports Car 191. Gap likely reflects whether Le Mans Series is counted within Mulliner.
Continental R Le Mans Series2001–200246Bentley Le Mans return commemorative. Verify — RRSilverSpirit / Wikipedia / RM Sotheby's 2024 catalogue all state 46; Exclusive Car Registry states 50; a 2020 RM Amelia catalogue states 34 and is internally inconsistent with itself.
Continental R 420 (2001 badge)200118Personal Commission designation. Verify — RRSilverSpirit 18 (2001 only); RM Fort Lauderdale 2022 catalogue '19 for the US market'; Wikipedia lists 38 for the 2000–2003 designation and separately notes 194 Continental R cars total received the 420 engine across all variants.
Continental R Millennium Edition200010Verify — single source (Wikipedia production table).
Continental R Final Series200311End-of-production Mulliner. Wikipedia and Classic & Sports Car both state 11 (six LHD, five RHD).
Continental T1996–2003321Short-wheelbase, aluminium dash, 400–420 hp. Verify — RRSilverSpirit 321; Wikipedia 322.
Continental T Mulliner1999–200223T with stiffer torsion bars and Mulliner interior. RRSilverSpirit and Wikipedia agree at 23.
Continental T Le Mans2001–20025Le Mans Series on the T. RRSilverSpirit and Wikipedia agree at 5.
Continental SC (Sedanca Coupé)1998–200073Removable glass Targa roof. RRSilverSpirit, RM Sotheby's Miami 2022 catalogue and howmanymade.co.uk all state 73 standard cars (of which 48 LHD).
Continental SC Mulliner1999–20006Mulliner-specified SC. Wikipedia states 6; howmanymade.co.uk breakdown corroborates (5 in 1999, 1 in 2000). Total SC family therefore 79 (73 standard + 6 Mulliner).
Collector Variants

Limited & special editions

The models below represent the most significant limited and special edition variants — factory-produced cars that command meaningful premiums over standard examples and warrant specific attention from serious collectors.

Continental T Le Mans · 2001–2002

5 (RRSilverSpirit chassis-range data; Wikipedia production table — sources agree)
Distinguishing features
Le Mans Series treatment applied to the short-wheelbase Continental T: wide arches, quad exhausts, Le Mans front-quarter badging, five-spoke wheels with red calipers, drilled pedals, unique treadplates and dark-green instrument dials. Available only in Silver Storm, Black Oriole or Le Mans Racing Green.
Value premium
Meaningful multiple of a standard Continental T; verified public auction data is essentially non-existent — treat all valuation as indicative until a public sale sets a mark.
Inspection points
Verify the Le Mans package is factory-fitted (Bentley Heritage at Crewe will confirm original spec by VIN); confirm all Le Mans-specific interior components are present and un-refurbished; standard Continental T mechanical checks — chargecooler, turbo, torsion bars, self-levelling.
Authentication
Bentley Heritage build sheet is the only fully reliable authentication. Le Mans Series cars carry unique chassis-book documentation and dealer delivery paperwork; VIN check against RRSilverSpirit Continental T Le Mans registry (chassis SCBZU25E71CH67538 – SCBZU25EX2CX01516) is a useful pre-check.

Continental SC (Sedanca Coupé) · 1998–2000

73 standard + 6 Mulliner = 79 total (RRSilverSpirit; RM Sotheby's Miami 2022 catalogue; howmanymade.co.uk; Wikipedia — figures reconcile when Mulliner sub-variant is counted separately)
Distinguishing features
Bentley's last true coach-built car: removable glass Targa roof panels above the driver and front passenger, fixed glass panel over the rear compartment, Continental T Mulliner mechanicals (chargecooled 420 hp) in the standard-wheelbase R shell. Launched at the 1998 British Motor Show at £245,000.
Value premium
The most valuable regular-production Continental R variant. Public sales cluster $136,000–$188,000 for standard SCs (BaT 2024–2025); SC Mulliner cars sit meaningfully higher (Artcurial €164,496).
Inspection points
Roof-panel seals, storage-bag condition and roof-tray hardware are unique to the SC and expensive to source; verify all three glass panels are original and unblemished; standard chargecooled-engine and self-levelling checks apply.
Authentication
Chassis prefix SCBZZ (unique to SC) — verify against RRSilverSpirit range SCBZZ23CXWCX65001 – SCBZZ22E1YCX65104. Bentley Heritage confirms Mulliner sub-variant.

Continental T Mulliner · 1999–2002

23 (RRSilverSpirit and Wikipedia production table agree)
Distinguishing features
Factory Mulliner programme on the short-wheelbase T: front torsion bars stiffened by ~40%, rear by ~20%, revised dampers, unique Mulliner interior stitching and burr walnut treatment. Ex-factory the fastest and firmest-riding Crewe-era Bentley.
Value premium
Trades at a substantial premium to a standard Continental T — public auction data is thin; comparables suggest $140,000–$280,000 depending on spec and condition.
Inspection points
Confirm the stiffened torsion bars and Mulliner damper set are still fitted (previous owners occasionally softened cars to standard T spec); inspect the Mulliner interior stitching and piping for wear and correct repair; standard T mechanical checks apply.
Authentication
Bentley Heritage build sheet confirms Mulliner spec; RRSilverSpirit Continental T Mulliner registry (SCBZU27E9XCX67107 – SCBZU25E02CX01525) is a useful pre-check.

Continental R Le Mans Series · 2001–2002

46 (RRSilverSpirit chassis-range data; Wikipedia production table; RM Sotheby's Monterey 2024 catalogue — three sources agree). Verify — Exclusive Car Registry states 50; an RM Sotheby's Amelia 2020 catalogue states 34 and is internally inconsistent with itself.
Distinguishing features
Bentley's celebration of its 2001 works Le Mans return: 420 hp, wide-body Mulliner bodywork, 'Le Mans Series' front-three-quarter badging, quad tailpipes, red brake calipers, drilled pedals, unique instrument dials in dark green, and two-tone interior with winged 'B' motifs. Available in Silver Storm, Black Oriole or Le Mans Racing Green only.
Value premium
Firm premium over the standard R Mulliner Wide-Body; verified public hammer prices for LHD Le Mans Series cars remain limited.
Inspection points
All Le Mans-specific badging, quad tailpipes, dial set and treadplates must be original — replacement Le Mans-badged trim is being cloned onto standard Mulliners. Bentley Heritage confirmation is essential.
Authentication
Bentley Heritage build sheet is definitive; cross-check chassis against RRSilverSpirit Continental R Le Mans registry (SCBZB25E01CH63546 – SCBZB25E82CX01780).

Production figures sourced from official marque records and specialist registers. Verify chassis documentation with the relevant marque register before purchase.

Buyer's Guide

What to look for

Provenance and originality

Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the Bentley Continental R, the strongest cars have continuous ownership history, matching numbers where applicable, original books and tools, factory build documentation and evidence of work by manufacturer-approved specialists. Wide-body Mulliner, T-derivative and Le Mans Series cars trade at multiples of standard R money. Documented Crewe-era Bentley main-dealer history, matching numbers, original interior wood and hide, and — for SC / T Le Mans / R Le Mans — factory build documentation are the value anchors.

Mechanical inspection priorities

The 6.75L pushrod V8 is fundamentally robust but low-mileage cars are punished by disuse: brittle vacuum hoses, failed engine mounts and leaking Garrett T04 turbo oil seals are near-universal on unrestored cars. Chargecooled S / T / SC / R Mulliner cars require the additional chargecooler radiator and coolant system to be pressure-tested. A proper PPI includes ECU/OBD (post-1996 GM Motronic), suspension self-levelling, ABS/traction (later cars), all switchgear and both climate zones. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, ECU diagnostics and fault-code history (where applicable), leak-down or compression testing, underbody photography, suspension and chassis inspection, brake condition and a long enough road test to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance on a car of this class is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted example.

Body, paint and accident history

Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory panel gaps and finish standards. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, refinished panels, poor paintwork and missing factory trim or option content. Documented cosmetic refresh is acceptable; concealed accident or fire damage must be priced severely.

Specification strategy

Continental T, T Mulliner, SC and Le Mans Series cars are the connoisseur's picks; standard-body R coupes remain the accessible entry point. Original spec, unbroken specialist history and — critically — an intact 6.75L 'L-Series' turbo engine define the strongest cars. Specification, colour, options and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify, rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.

Pricing

What to pay

Standard Continental R (1991–98)
USD$25,000 – $60,000
GBP£22,000 – £45,000
EUR€28,000 – €55,000
Basis: 1993 R sales at RM Sotheby's Auburn Fall 2021 ($28,600), Historics Ascot Mar-2025 (£27,456) and Historics Mercedes-Benz World Nov-2022 (£36,960). Higher end reflects sub-30k-mile main-dealer-history cars.
Continental R Mulliner Wide-Body (1999–2003)
USD$55,000 – $110,000
GBP£45,000 – £90,000
EUR€55,000 – €105,000
Basis: RM Sotheby's Shift Online Feb-2025 sale of a 2002 Mulliner Wide-Body at $61,600 anchors the lower end; low-mileage, Personal Commission spec sits meaningfully higher.
Continental R 420 / Le Mans Series
USD$110,000 – $220,000
GBP£90,000 – £175,000
EUR€105,000 – €205,000
Basis: RM Sotheby's Fort Lauderdale 2022 R 420 at $137,500. Le Mans Series (46 built) has traded higher than 420-badged cars in recent US listings; verified public Le Mans hammer prices remain thin.
Continental T (1996–2003)
USD$60,000 – $140,000
GBP£50,000 – £110,000
EUR€60,000 – €130,000
Basis: Bonhams Scottsdale 2022 ($84,000, 1997 T, 23k mi); Bonhams Audrain 2024 ($71,680, 2002 T, 23k mi). Ultra-low-mileage NARSE cars have cleared above $115k.
Continental T Mulliner / T Le Mans
USD$140,000 – $280,000
GBP£110,000 – £220,000
EUR€130,000 – €260,000
Basis: extreme rarity (T Mulliner 23; T Le Mans just 5); public auction data is sparse. Range anchored to standing dealer asks and Mulliner-tier R comparables, not direct hammer results — treat as indicative.
Continental SC (Sedanca Coupé) — standard
USD$135,000 – $200,000
GBP£105,000 – £160,000
EUR€125,000 – €185,000
Basis: Bring a Trailer Jan-2024 ($136,000, 23k mi), BaT Jan-2025 not sold at $166,666 (11k mi), BaT Aug-2025 sold $188,000 (same 11k-mi car). SC market firmed materially through 2024–25.
Continental SC Mulliner
USD$170,000 – $260,000
GBP£135,000 – £210,000
EUR€160,000 – €245,000
Basis: Artcurial 1999 SC Mulliner sold €164,496 (est €150,000–€200,000). Only six SC Mulliners built — thin liquidity, single strongest reference.
Continental R Final Series (2003)
USD$75,000 – $140,000
GBP£60,000 – £110,000
EUR€70,000 – €130,000
Basis: Historics Windsorview Jul-2025 (£63,492, 78k mi, No. 5 of 11) — sole public reference. Lower-mileage cars would carry a meaningful premium; treat range as anchored on a single sale.

Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion

Ownership

Living with it

Typical mileage
1,000–4,000 miles typical for collector use
Service interval
12 months; mileage interval varies by model and use
Annual running cost
$3,500 – $10,000
Fuel economy
15–28 mpg depending on use
Insurance
Use an agreed-value collector or specialist supercar policy with limited mileage, secure storage, documented photography and an annual value review. Premiums vary sharply by age, storage location, declared value and driver profile.

Maintenance planning

Budget annually even if the car is used sparingly. Fluids age, tyres and date-coded rubber components must be replaced regardless of mileage, and stored cars need exercise. A documented maintenance rhythm protects both reliability and resale value.

Parts and specialist access

Crewe-era specialist support is concentrated around P&A Wood, Frank Dale & Stepsons, Fiennes Restoration, Introcar and Jack Barclay in the UK, and Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque houses in North America. Bentley Motors' Heritage department at Crewe holds full build records by VIN and will confirm original spec and factory options for a modest fee. Before purchase, confirm parts availability for model-specific bodywork, electronics, gearbox and engine components. A discounted car waiting on unobtainable parts or a factory service slot is rarely a saving in collector ownership.

Common Problems

Known issues by system

Engine

Garrett T04 turbo oil-seal weep and downpipe joint failure

Major$6,000 – $14,000 for turbo rebuild + associated pipework
Symptoms — Blue smoke on start-up; oil misting around turbo; boost variation.
Inspection — Boroscope inlet tract; check turbo shaft play; inspect oil in intercooler / chargecooler pipework; verify OBD boost pressure logs on chargecooled S / T / SC / Mulliner cars.
Cooling

Chargecooler radiator, hose and pump degradation (S, T, R Mulliner, SC, Le Mans)

Major$3,500 – $9,000
Symptoms — Loss of boost under sustained load; coolant loss with no obvious external leak; misfires and pre-ignition on hot runs.
Inspection — Pressure-test chargecooler circuit; inspect crossover pipes and header tank for corrosion; verify pump function and coolant condition.
Suspension

Self-levelling hydraulic accumulator and pump failure

Major$3,000 – $8,000
Symptoms — Rear-end sag when parked; hard ride; hydraulic warning lamp; audible pump cycling with engine off.
Inspection — Check accumulator pressure; inspect for mineral-oil leaks at pump, valves and rear struts; confirm system bleeds correctly.
Electrical

Body electronics, climate and dashboard illumination faults

Moderate$2,000 – $10,000
Symptoms — Failed climate stepper motors, non-functioning cruise, intermittent instrument backlighting, seat memory failures.
Inspection — Test every switch and function on the PPI; a full-function early R is now uncommon and rewires are costly.
Body & trim

Wide-body arch and sill corrosion, rear-arch bubbling

Major$5,000 – $30,000+
Symptoms — Bubbling behind rear arches, chipping around headlight surrounds, tailgate lower-lip corrosion, sunroof-drain rust on coupes.
Inspection — Lift the car; paint-depth gauge every panel; SC roof-panel and seal condition is a specialist five-figure repair.
Interior

Wood veneer lacquer crazing and hide fade

Moderate$4,000 – $18,000 for full veneer refinish
Symptoms — Cracked lacquer on dashboard and door cappings; sun-faded hide, especially on Magnolia and Sandstone interiors; loose piping.
Inspection — Inspect every capping and door top under strong light; original Mulliner-piped interiors are hard and expensive to correctly re-trim.
Transmission

GM 4L80-E slippage and torque-converter shudder

Moderate$4,000 – $8,000 rebuild
Symptoms — Delayed engagement, harsh 2–3 shift, judder at light-throttle cruise.
Inspection — Service history for ATF changes; road-test at operating temperature.
Valuation

Current value bands by region

Concours
USD
$180,000
GBP
£145,000
EUR
€170,000
▲ +6% 12-mo
Excellent
USD
$110,000
GBP
£85,000
EUR
€100,000
▲ +4% 12-mo
Good
USD
$60,000
GBP
£48,000
EUR
€55,000
▬ +1% 12-mo
Fair
USD
$30,000
GBP
£24,000
EUR
€28,000
▬ 0% 12-mo
Project
USD
$12,000
GBP
£8,000
EUR
€10,000
▼ -3% 12-mo

Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions

The Continental R family trades across a wider band than almost any modern-classic Bentley: standard R coupes at Historics still change hands under £30,000, while a low-mileage Sedanca Coupé cleared $188,000 on Bring a Trailer in August 2025 (the same car had failed to sell at $166,666 seven months earlier — a clear signal of firming SC demand). Continental T Mulliner and T Le Mans cars almost never appear at public auction; when they do, they set new marks. The standard Continental R remains, on evidence, the most under-valued hand-built Bentley of the last thirty years — usable, serviceable and stylistically unrepeatable.

Auctions

Recent results

DateAuctionCarMileageResult
2025-08-07
Bring a Trailer
Online, Lot 204081
1999 Continental SC (1 of 48 LHD)
Silver Tempest / grey; Montana title; same car as the Jan-2025 no-sale below.
11,000 mi
$188,000
Sold
2025-07-19
Historics
The Summer Serenade, Windsorview Lakes, Lot 179
2003 Continental R Final Series (1 of 11)
Silver Storm / Black; No. 5 of 11 Final Series.
78,350 mi
£63,492
Sold
2025-03-01
Historics
Symphony of Spring, Ascot Racecourse, Lot 223
1993 Continental R
Black / cream; three-folder Jack Barclay history to 2021.
94,233 mi
£27,456
Sold
2025-02
RM Sotheby's
Shift Online: North America, Lot 134
2002 Continental R Mulliner Wide-Body
Black / Cotswold; believed 1 of 11 LHD 2002 examples per catalogue.
16,164 mi
$61,600
Sold
2025-01-29
Bring a Trailer
Online, Lot 178609
1999 Continental SC (1 of 48 LHD)
Reserve not met; same car later sold at $188,000 in Aug-2025.
11,000 mi
$166,666
Bid To
2024-10-06
Bonhams
The Zoute Sale, Knokke-Heist, Lot 162
1998 Continental T NARSE Special Edition (1 of 14)
Blue Sequin Mica / Sandstone; no reserve; French registered.
~27,000 mi
€100,625
Sold
2024-10-04
Bonhams
Audrain Concours Auction, Newport RI, Lot 123
2002 Continental T
Ex-Ernie Boch Jr. Collection; 1 of 217 LHD; no reserve.
23,534 mi
$71,680
Sold
2024-01-09
Bring a Trailer
Online, Lot 132829
1999 Continental SC (1 of 48 LHD)
Two-tone grey/black; California title; period in Europe 2013–2020.
23,000 mi
$136,000
Sold
2024
Artcurial
Sale #6017, France, Lot 170
1999 Continental SC Mulliner (1 of ~6)
Amethyst / beige with blue inserts; est. €150,000–€200,000; Bentley Lyon service 2024. Exact sale date not published on the fetched lot page.
~37,000 km
€164,496
Sold
2022-11-26
Historics
Mercedes-Benz World, Lot 151
1993 Continental R
Racing Green / Parchment; Reg Vardy supplied; two owners.
~66,000 mi
£36,960
Sold
2022-03
RM Sotheby's
Fort Lauderdale 2022, Lot 2078 (Rey Collection)
2001 Continental R 420
'No. 18 of only 19 2001 Continental R 420 examples produced for the US market'.
23,765 mi
$137,500
Sold
2022-01-27
Bonhams
The Scottsdale Auction, Lot 72
1997 Continental T
Carmine Red / St James Red & Black; factory records; 1 of 321.
~23,800 mi
$84,000
Sold
2021-09
RM Sotheby's
Auburn Fall 2021, Lot 4126 (Cayman Island Motor Museum)
1993 Continental R
Dark blue / blue; 1 of 285 for 1993 per catalogue.
~19,589 mi
$28,600
Sold
2020-01
Gooding & Co.
Scottsdale 2020, Lot 38
1998 Continental T NARSE Special Edition (1 of 14)
Vibrant Blue Sequin Mica / Sandstone; without reserve; est. $140,000–$180,000.
<6,800 mi
$117,600
Sold

Every result above was independently fetched from the auction house or platform's own lot page (RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, Gooding & Co., Bring a Trailer, Artcurial, Historics). Not fetched, deliberately omitted: Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sep-2022 Lot 379 (1997 Continental T, ~90,000 mi) had estimate £95,000–£100,000 but no sold price shown on the fetched page. No sold Continental S lots surfaced across the seven houses queried — consistent with the S being an exceptionally rare and privately-traded variant.

Investment

Long-term outlook

EmergingHorizon: 5–10 years

The Continental family is at the point Ferrari 456 and Aston V8 Vantage were five years ago: the market has begun to distinguish sharply between rarest-variant cars (T Mulliner, T Le Mans, SC, R Le Mans Series) and the general population. SC values firmed decisively through 2024–25. Standard R coupes remain the accessible entry point — usable, serviceable and, in real terms, cheaper than at any point in twenty years. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification the budget allows.

Recommended

The trusted network

Specialists

  • Bentley factory-approved specialist
    View →
    UK / Europe
    Bentley Continental R inspections, major service planning and originality reviews.
  • Model-focused independent
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    United States
    Pre-purchase inspections, scheduled service and market-correct preparation for the Continental R.
  • Concours preparation studio
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    International
    Paint correction, PPF, detailing, preservation and sale preparation for premium collector cars.
  • Hagerty
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    USA / UK / EU
    Agreed-value collector and supercar insurance with global recognition.
  • Lockton Performance
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    UK / EU
    Specialist agreed-value cover for modern hypercars and limited-production supercars.

Storage

  • Windrush Car Storage
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    Cotswolds, UK
    Climate-controlled storage and collection management for high-value collector and supercars.
  • Autovault
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    Bicester, UK
    Secure climate-controlled storage at Bicester Heritage with inspection programmes.
  • Classic Car Club Manhattan
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    New York, NY
    Secure urban storage for collector and modern performance cars.

Transport

  • CARS UK
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    UK & Europe
    Enclosed event, concours and collection transport across Europe.
  • Reliable Carriers
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    USA (national)
    Enclosed coast-to-coast transport for premium supercars and classics.
  • FERRLOG
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    Italy / Europe
    Air-ride enclosed transport for Italian and European collector cars.

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