Lot Ended
Description
From a
deceased estate; few owners, the current for 17 years; only 70k miles with 13
service stamps; tons of history; superb condition; one of the nicest we have
seen
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1982, the Bentley Mulsanne
Turbo marked the return of the legendary 'Blower Bentley' and restored the high
performance image of the marque with its prodigious power. Fitted with a Garrett
AiResearch turbocharger, the venerable 6.75-litre V8 now pumped out 300bhp and
could propel the Bentley's considerable bulk to 60mph in less than 8 seconds on
its way to a top speed of 135mph.
In truth this towering
performance was rather more than the chassis could handle and, in 1985, the
Mulsanne platform was upgraded to Turbo R spec with stiffer damping and
springing, better location for the rear subframe, more precise steering and
alloy wheels with lower profile tyres.
Under the bonnet, Bosch
K-Jetronic fuel injection replaced the old Solex carbs which, combined with
various other tweaks, upped engine power to 330bhp and a staggering 480lb/ft of
torque – sufficient to hurl the brute to 60 in less than 7 seconds and 143mph
flat out. The interior remained as sumptuous as you would expect for £100,000
with a revised dashboard that now housed a rev-counter. Few cars were – or are –
better suited to fast long-distance touring.
Supplied new by Weybridge
Automobiles in March 1997, this Turbo R benefits from the upgrades made to the
model in 1996, chief among them an improved Zytec fuel injection system. It has
covered only 70,154 miles with an excellent service history comprising 13 stamps
in the book, the last at 65,884 miles in September 2006, all at main agents and
with many supporting invoices.
It is worth noting that between 2001 and
2005 it was meticulously looked after by P&A Wood, the best name in the
business, who serviced it five times (39,700 – 62,600 miles) and also fitted new
front brake discs and pads in May 2005 at 64,054 miles.
On offer here
from a deceased estate, the current owner acquired the car in October 2008 to
join his small collection of fine cars (one of which is the magnificent
Rolls-Royce 20hp elsewhere in this sale, Lot 88, which he completely rebuilt).
The purchase invoice shows that it came from our good friend Steve Hunter of
Craven Arms and cost £15,000.
A retired engineer, the owner was more than
capable of maintaining this Bentley himself, although he did send it to City
Autosense of Stoke-on-Trent from time to time to have some
electronic niggles sorted and get the air con regassed, the last visit
being in March 2018 at 69,808 miles to attend to some coolant sensor
issues and get the instrument software pack upgraded, the invoice showing
that this cost £1,854.
All the servicing from new until March 2003 at
54,578 miles is neatly listed in spread sheets on file (which can be
emailed as a PDF on request - email address at the end of the description). The
car also comes with two sets of keys and a Tracker theft-recovery
system. A copy of the full factory spec of the car is also present and
includes Brooklands Green paintwork with a Parchment hide interior, Sports
seats, Spruce Green leather dash top and Hampton Green Wilton carpets with
matching lambswool over-rugs. There is also a DVLA print-out showing details of
all four former keepers.
Very lightly used in the last 10 years and only
covering a handful of miles between annual trips to the MOT station, the current
MOT is valid until January 2026 with just a few minor advisories (‘slight PAS
leak; rear shocks lightly misted with oil; o/s/f brake pipe corroded or covered
in grease’).
As you can see in the photos, this Turbo R is in fabulous
condition both inside and out and has been starting instantly and running
beautifully as we have moved it around on site. One of the nicest we have ever
seen with a fantastic history file, it is on offer here at a very tempting guide
price. We love it and we are sure you will too so do come and see it for
yourselves.
PS: The clanking noise in the video is not the car, it's
our man Jack fumbling with his tripod (ooh er, missus) so don't be
alarmed!
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]