One of only 22 RHD models believed to have been made
Rot-free Japanese import
Rare Silica Metallic
THE APPEAL
For the 1998 Model Year, ahead of the launch of the all-new Arnage (and, it would transpire, the sale of Bentley to Volkswagen), Rolls-Royce Motor Company gave the square-shouldered Bentley saloons a final hurrah.
The Brooklands saloon, itself an evolution of the 1984 Mulsanne and introduced in 1992, was given a low-pressure turbocharger and renamed the Brooklands R, its traditional L-series, alloy block 6,747cc V8 engine seeing its power output boosted to 304bhp. Around 200 were made – 100 LWB Mulliner models and just under 100 short-wheelbase, of which most were LHD export models. This is one of 22 RHD standard wheelbase cars believed to have been constructed at Crewe and is rarer for the fact it began life in Japan, before being imported to the UK earlier this year.
It's an entirely original and unspoilt example that presents very well indeed and is finished in the unusual colour of Silica Metallic, a sort of white gold-ish hue that really suits the Bentley’s brawny-but-boxy lines.
Inside, the Bentley is a sumptuous as you’d expect, though the beige 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. The carpets and headlining are excellent and it has its original radio-cassette player, jack and tool kit.
Being a later model, the Brooklands R comes with a centre console-mounted gear selector replacing the column-change shifter found in earlier models. It’s a wonderful cabin in which to spend time and feels very special indeed, with only a couple of tiny bits of wear to the carpet around the pedals and a small split on the driver’s seat base.
Finished in subtle but smart Silica Metallic – and extremely unusual and rare hue, and one of only two Brooklands Rs believed to have been painted this colour, the Bentley looks terrific and is in fine order, with no significant marks or damage. It sits on its original alloy wheels, which are in fantastic condition.
All of the trim is in as good order as the paintwork and there are no major dents or scuffs, just a few tiny marks and paint chips. Underneath, it appears to be in remarkable order.
The 6,747cc OHV V8 has a low-pressure turbocharger bolted onto it – enough to lift its power output to just over 300bhp.
Recent expenditure includes a full service using factory-spec oil, and a general tune-up, sort-out and health check courtesy of Jack Barclay Ltd – it wasn’t cheap, but it does mean that the Brooklands R is ready to go for its next owner with no known or declared problems. The vendor reports that it drives impeccably well and is a very tight and responsive car.
If you know what this car is, then you’ll recognise it as something a fair bit more special than your average square-shouldered Nineties Rolls or Bentley. It’s one of only a handful of RHD Brooklands Rs and one of the very, very last of the boxy Bentleys, presented in lovely unspoilt, unrestored condition and ready to be simply enjoyed.
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1997 Bentley Brooklands R
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