Back in the day when snooker was in its heyday, I was an avid fan. Brought up a policeman’s son, I had access to a proper full-size snooker table from a young age at the local station, and indulged in what was known as the ’sign of a mis-spent youth’ - the green baize.
In the seventies and early eighties snooker was at its peak. Prime time coverage on TV and big prize money made for a nation obsessed. From the ‘old-timers’ like Ray Reardon and the relative newcomers like Cliff Thorburn (and his fellow Canadian Bill Werbeniuk, who managed to convince the game’s authorities that he needed 20 pints of lager per game for medical reasons!) and the completely unpredictable Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins, the sport managed to become interesting. Even Steve ‘interesting’ Davies, who wasn’t the most flamboyant player in the world, became big news because of his uncanny ability to pot everything in site in a plodding, pedantic style. And they all got rich in a sport that didn’t even raise a sweat.
But snooker got boring. The characters disappeared and it was just another late-night slot on TV. But one man stood out. A sometimes tormented soul, with a complicated private life, whose natural ability in the game made it a must-watch again. That man is Ronnie O’Sullivan. And yesterday saw him achieve a maximum break on TV in the most flawless fashion. And what does Ronnie intend doing with his prize for the maximum break? He’s going to look for a Bentley Continental GT Convertible for sale (or more correctly a Bentley Continental GTC for sale) and spend the summer with the top down, cruising.
I was always a tad disappointed with the Continental GT. It lacked edge, but wasn’t really a cruiser in the Bentley mode. Then along came the GT Speed and put that right. But what of the GTC? Well, unlike its hard-top brother I always felt it worked really well. A convertible doesn’t need an edge. Sure, there are convertibles with a real edge; proper drivers machines. The F430 and Gallardo spring to mind. But the GTC is about the waft. And the power. And the interior. And the noise. And especially the noise. In the hard-top you just don’t hear it. But in the GTC there is definitely a glorious, Thor-like soundtrack. And I love it. The interior is beautifully appointed and the seats extremely easy on the body. And it goes. I mean, it really does go. And it seems to go even more with the top down! It still feels nose-heavy in the bends if you push hard, but the GTC isn’t going to be used like that. But put your foot down on a nice long straight and you experience what feels like an endless wave of power. Overtaking, at even the slightest opportunity, is simplicity itself. You just seem to be transported from where you were to where you want to be in an instant. It is very intoxicating.
So enjoy your Bentley and your Summer, Ronnie. You deserve it (if you can find time between the runs). And if you want a good deal on the car, give us a call!
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Now that the
It was the car the Continental GT should always have been, but never quite was. Well now they’re coming on stream, and we have three ready for delivery before Christmas! I’m not quite sure how we pulled it off, but if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the man who has everything, or you’re toying with treating yourself after your bonus, the Bentley Continental GT Speed fits the bill perfectly!
Just four short years ago Bentley were struggling to churn out 1000 cars a year; just 3 a day. But then along came VW and, contrary to what everyone expected, completely revitalised the brand and turned it into a must-have car for the rich and discerning. And now they’re selling 10,000 cars a year.
Bentley have introduced the Bentley Continental GT Speed, which for me is the car the Continental should have been. I was always a little disappointed with the Continental. I had high hopes for it at first - the first non-Rolls Bentley for an age. On the face of it VW did everything right. It looks like a Bentley, inside and out, and it had a clear and defined style (even though it was designed by a Belgian!). But I felt a little underwhelmed when I drove it. It cruises well, the cabin is a nice place to be, and it is very quick for such a big car. But it never felt sharp. It never felt how I imagined a ‘Real’ Bentley should feel. But that’s all changed now, and I want one!