[Manuuj]

On the 17th of September 2011 my cell phone rang next to my pillow and i was jolted out of my sleep. Wearily my hands stretched for the mute button but found my spectacles instead. Meanwhile the Nokia Tune on my cellphone got louder and more urgent in its summons.

As i put on my glasses i reached for it to see who was calling me. It was my brother who lives in Punjab. It was my day off from work, i was hungover and was worried he may send me off on an errand in some godforsaken corner of the NCR..i let it ring a few more times. He hung up. No sooner had i placed the phone down he it rang it was him again and i instantly took the call.

"Manuuj do me a favor..."

My heart sank..my head was heavy and i wanted to sleep! That is till i heard his next few words.

"..do me a favour, go to the Bentley showroom at Ashoka Hotel and check out the GT there."

I was sitting upright in my bed..

"Take some pics and email them to me and also email the VIN no etc..ill see you on Monday. Call me once you are there".

He hung up. I hadn't said a word.

I was now wide awake and stared at the screen which now only said "Call ended"

Resembling an Olympian in a triathlon event and giving Mr. Bolt a run for his money i shaved, brushed and showered in a hurricane like manner which left my bedroom looking as though Katrina had just paid a visit (not the actress)

Grabbing the camera i was raced away towards realizing a long cherished dream of having a Bentley GT in the family.

As i neared the showroom i waited for the the guard to raise the boom bar that i had so longingly looked into over the years everytime i crossed the showroom.

My first glimpse:

[Manuuj]

I stared at it for a while till i felt a tap on my shoulder from the sales executive who had been trying to get my attention for a minute or two now. I was met by the owner of the company and we had a brief chat while i stood next to a Bentley Supersports and a Candy Yellow Lamborghini.
My brother had already spoken to him and he had been expecting me. I asked if it was okay to take some pics and he smiled back and inquired if i would like to test drive any of the other cars there also.

Displaying the alacrity of a seasoned paparazzi i was away camera in hand as though i had just caught the flavor of the season all exposed.

Click..whirrr, Click..whirrr..Click whirr.. went the camera!

[Manuuj]

After the initial excitement had settled down i chatted with the owner who told me about all the other cars and also the extra options this car came loaded with.

I inquired if there was a Bentley Brooklands available and he too my utter amazement answered in the affirmative! I once again confirmed "I meant available FOR SALE?" and he smiled and nodded.

My heart jumped! 530 in the World. 3 in India..yes THREE..and i was about to see one and maybe even have a chance at owning it?? Am i still in bed? What did i drink last night?!

He looked at the Sales executive and said "Pull out the Brooklands" and as unaffectedly as that within a few moments it was there in the flesh a few feet from me.

I walked upto it and rested my hand on its Boot feeling the curves and the lines. I walked around it and opened the door and stared at the beauty inside. It literally took my breath away..

Again the only sound that broke the serenity of that lovely sunny September afternoon was the sound of my Canon clicking and whirring away capturing a moment of my life I dont think ill ever forget.

[Manuuj]

some more pics from that day of the GT and Brooklands..

[Manuuj]

Another monster was then brought out as an option to the Brooklands and the Continental GT..

The Bentley Continental Supersports.

[Manuuj]

It was a race between the three now and they were all at the starting line up ready to roar away..

[Manuuj]

I called up my brother and informed him of the predicament we were in..what was it going to be?..

A brand new untouched Continental GT

A sparsely used Supercar (1600 kms) the Brooklands

A rocket in the shape of the GT Supersports (over 600 bhp) with a custom satin paint job that i had never seen. It really bought out the contours of the car.

Did i dare to suggest he buy all three?..NO. My surname is not Ambani or Zuckerberg and neither is his.

It will have to be ONE of the three.

But which one??..

To be continued..

[driving_smartly]

Your Pictures and story line has really hooked me up in anticipation of more thrill to come. Yes thrill it is indeed a pleasure watching these pictures. Keep them coming

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Beautiful beautiful pics man ! Pure Art , these cars ! WOW ! Out of words really !
While all 3 are beautiful,i would personally have opted for the supersport purely for its extra power and that ravishing graphite-ish shade ! Monster !

[Tapish]

I dream of such mornings.
The satin paint job looks amazing.
Beautiful pics. Hooked to the thread.

[Utopian]

OMG!!! That's some Godly stuff indeed. The Supersport looks amazing. especially the alloys & body paint. Awesome snaps.

[miharbe]

WOW! WOW! WOW! I went through the pictures god alone knows how many times.

Man what a dilemma to be in something most other non TATA and non Ambani mortals would never be in.

Lets just say your reality is much better than many others' dreams. i will definitely keep an eye out for this thread just so that i know what you bought. keep the pictures coming dont think any number will be enough.

[MAS]

@ Manuuj - Excellent start to an interesting thread.

Man, i dream of walking into a Bentley showroom and the questions you asked. Hooked up to this thread now...

How is your Fortuner doing?

[PPS]

Wow! What a dilemma you & your brother are in! My pick would be the Supersport. I always get confused between the Azure & the Brooklands! Thanks for the fabulous pics.
You mentioned a candie yellow Lamborghini, please do post pics of it.

[Akshay1234]

Beautiful, classy, sexy. Thats the only way I can describe those. Manuuj you are one lucky guy. That Supersport looks bloody awesome, and that is probably the best Supersport I've seen apart from the orange ones.

Isn't the Brooklands much more expensive than the other 2?