Introduced at the New York Motor Show in April 2006, the Bentley Continental GT Convertible (or GTC) benefited from generally being considered affordable, even though it wasn't really and proved an immediate sales success.

The Convertible utilised the same smooth, powerful, twin-turbocharged 6-litre W12 engine as the GT Coupé.

Electro-hydraulically operated, the luxuriously padded fabric roof stowed away, neatly revealing an interior of peerless refinement.

The GTC was the first open-topped Bentley since the Le Mans-winning cars of the 1930s that could be considered a sports car.

The engineering skills and vast budget of Bentley’s parent company had produced a car that was uniquely nimble and luxurious at the same time, with seamless power constantly on tap.

With a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds, the GTC was the only car in its class that was as comfortable as it was fast.

As the Continental Coupé and Convertible rapidly grew in popularity, a new younger market was, for the first t...