Bentley Grand Convertible: Perfect For L.A.'s Sun

To try and catch as much of the sun’s rays as possible, Bentley will bring a concept that looks like it’s almost ready for production to the Los Angeles Auto Show. Dubbed the Grand Convertible, it is intended as a competitor to the Rolls-Royce Drophead.

Despite an all-new name, the car is actually a Bentley Mulsanne that has lost its rear doors and traded its hard top for a soft retractable one. Since it’s a Bentley, there is no shortage of luxury: 14 cows were selected and used to get enough hides to cover the whole interior. Capable of seating four adults, said interior is cream-coloured, with Sequin Blue stitching, a tint that is also prominently displayed on the bodywork (by the way, this paint had been commissioned by a customer who brought one of his wife’s gowns and asked that his Rolls be painted the same colour and tint as the sequin on the dress. In exchange for a few thousand dollars, the manufacturer obliged). And take a moment to look at the rear deck: made of burr walnut and polished until it shined like mirror, this is the largest piece of wood ever fitted to a Bentley.

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Under the (Liquid Silver) contrasting hood, Bentley fitted their 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8. In this application, it sends 530 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque to its rear wheels, which should be enough to move the big convertible out of its own way.

The plebeians will have the opportunity to marvel at the Bentley Grand Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but the manufacturer will closely monitor how their current clients like the car: if the reaction is positive, they just might decide to put it into production…