1989 Bentley Mulsanne S
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Highlights
- Rare last-generation Mulsanne
- Owned by vendor for over 20 years
- Scarce colour and one of only 909 manufactured
- New subframe, spring mounts and high quality repaint
The Appeal
The 1980s were a decade of forward-looking, avant-garde car design and an era to which the twee and curvaceous Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Series were an awkward fit, so for 1980 the entire range was reworked to bring in new, sharper and much squarer bodywork, in keeping with the fashions of the time.
First came the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, very quickly followed by its more sporting sister car, the Bentley Mulsanne. The name was derived from Bentley's motorsport history, which included five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1924 and 1930. The 'Mulsanne Straight' being the stretch of Le Mans' circuit where cars reach their highest speeds.
The Mulsanne initially shared the same carburetted 6+3⁄4-litre (6,750 cc; 412 cu in) Rolls-Royce V8 engine with aluminium alloy cylinder heads with the Silver Spirit, carried over from the Silver Shadow II and Bentley T2. In 1982 however, a turbocharged version with much more power and torque was also introduced – for Bentley only – in the Mulsanne Turbo. The non-turbo model ran alongside it until 1988, when it was superseded by the new Mulsanne S for the last three years of production.
Mechanically identical to the Mulsanne, the S didn’t have a turbo but many of the Turbo R’s other details were introduced, including its alloy wheels and interior, and firmer suspension.
This is one such car – a 1989 Mulsanne S, one of only 909 S models built, and finished in the striking and unusual hue of Vermillion. It’s not a car for shrinking violets, but it’s one with a massive road presence.
The car currently forms part of a private collection that the owner is in the process of downsizing and he has kept the car for over 20 years, initially owned by his company and then registered privately since. It has had a lot of work carried out in recent years, with a full respray in the original colour and new rear spring hangers, a front subframe and a steering and suspension overhaul.
The History and Paperwork
- UK V5C
- MOT October 2024
- Car number H27535, matching engine and chassis numbers
- Some invoices included but the vendor has a fully equipped home workshop and has taken care of routine maintenance and servicing himself
- Parts invoice for almost £2,000 from Flying Spares for recent suspension overhaul and a number of mechanical parts
- Believed genuine mileage
The Condition
- Finished in ultra-rare Vermillion
- Repainted to a very high standard by a professional coachworker
- Superb underneath with front subframe and rear spring hangers renewed and excellent sills
- Fantatsic overall condition with no notable paint flaws and no visible or evident corrosion
- Body-coloured bumpers ad trim with one tiny mark on offside rear bumper corner
- Bentley Turbo R alloys with good quality Marshall tyres all-round
- Red-piped Magnolia leather seats in good order with gentle patina
- Some minor wear to driver’s side armrest
- Burr walnut veneers
- Dash in excellent order
- Door cappings are good but with some cracks to the veneer around passenger side door locking pin
- Rare red leather-trimmed sports steering wheel
- Air conditioning
- Four electric windows
- Cruise control
- External temperature thermometer
- Clean luggage area with some wear to carpet
- Original tool kit and jack
- Jack Barclay Ltd supplier plaque on door trims
The Mechanics
- 6,750cc OHV V8
- Three-speed auto
- Fluid-operated suspension, brakes and power-assisted steering, all recently overhauled
- New rocker cover gaskets
- Rebuilt distributor with new cap
- Reported by the vendor to drive superbly with no known issues or faults
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1989
- Make Bentley
- Model Mulsanne
- Colour Red
- Odometer 127,608 Miles
- Engine size 6750
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town March
- Location Cambridgeshire
- Country United Kingdom
19
bids
- do•••• £6,000 11/04/24
- Ji•••• £5,250 02/04/24
- Rh•••• £5,150 02/04/24
- Ji•••• £5,100 02/04/24
- Rh•••• £5,000 02/04/24
- JD•••• £4,950 01/04/24
- Ji•••• £4,800 01/04/24
- JD•••• £4,700 01/04/24
- wa•••• £4,600 01/04/24
- th•••• £4,500 01/04/24
The Gallery
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