The Mulsanne was Bentley’s derivative of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, designed to offer a sportier drive and better performance than the luxury-oriented Rolls-Royce.
In 1982, Bentley dialled it up a further notch with the introduction of the Mulsanne Turbo, which ran a Garrett AiResearch turbo, taking the big Bentley from a swift car to a genuinely rapid one (though no official power output was ever quoted).
This one was registered in 1984 and is a real rarity, having been specified in long-wheelbase format (essentially a Bentley version of the bigger Rolls-Royce Silver Spur). According to factory records, only 18 Mulsanne Turbo LWBs were made before the model was replaced by the Turbo R in 1985.
It’s a one-off opportunity to buy not only a rare car, but also a fantastic example in lovely condition.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
• Genuine mileage
• One estate owner for many years
• MOT until April 2023
• Specialist service history
• Freshly serviced and good to go
The history of the Bentley is fascinating and pretty comprehensive. It has had four ‘official’ owners, but the last two have been at the same address and are associated with the original keepers – a titled family in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. The first owner was a founding member of the WO Bentley Memorial Foundation.
The car was registered initially to their estate and then privately thereafter, but it was always maintained by Balmoral UK, a well-known and highly respected Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist. More recently, it has had further work carried out by Colbrook (£2,700) and Silver Lady Specialists in Brentwood, Essex, and also by an independent.
It has had a lot of work done recently (see below) and has a new MOT, issued in late April 2022. There are over £15,000 of invoices since 2007.
THE INTERIOR
• Black leather and walnut
• Picnic tables
• Digital clock and trip computer
• Fur over mats
Inside, the Bentley is a sumptuous as you’d expect, though the black leather, carpets and door cards are more restrained than you’d find in the equivalent Rolls-Royce.
It’s beautifully presented and very fresh-feeling inside, with spotless veneers and immaculate seats, along with factory fur over mats. It has a colour-coded warning lamp display, LCD clock and trip computer (this was the Eighties, after all) and split-level air condition, which has just been overhauled.
THE EXTERIOR
• Superbly presented
• Original steel wheels and chrome centre caps
• All correct chrome and trim
Finished in subtle but smart silver, the Mulsanne looks absolutely terrific and is in fine order, with no significant marks or damage. It sits on its original steel wheels with chrome centre caps (later Turbo Rs got alloys) and is tastefully presented with no known or visible corrosion.
All of the trim is in as good order as the paintwork and there are no dents or scuffs – it really is a lovely old thing.
THE MECHANICS
• 6,750cc V8 with Garrett turbocharger
• New brakes and full service
• Overhauled fuel system
• New tyres
The 6,750cc has a Garrett AiResearch turbocharger bolted onto it, and when you lift the bonnet it’s pretty obvious, thanks to the bold ‘TURBO’ writing upon it!
It runs brilliantly and performed well during a short test drive. Recent expenditure includes a full service using factory-spec Mobil Super1000 oil, while it has had one new front brake calliper and the other overhauled. It has also had a new temperature sensor and two new rear Avon Turbosteel tyres to match the front ones, which are also nearly new and have 8mm of tread.
SUMMARY
If you know what this car is, then you’ll recognise it as something a fair bit more special than your average Silver Spirit or Mulsanne. It’s one of only a handful of LWB Mulsanne Turbos made in a small production window.
Then consider its originality, its overall condition, the fact it has been properly cherished and looked after all its life and the money it has had spent on it recently. It’s a glorious example - a really, really nice car.
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1984 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo LWB
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