Highlights
- Attractive Black Sapphire metallic with Parchment interior
- Sought-after final edition Turbo R with post-96 factory upgrades
- Well maintained with recent £15,000 of work including hydraulics and servicing
- Well maintained including £14,000 of work by Gordon Dale in 2017
- Used regularly as a daily driver, including a 60-mile round trip into central London
- MOT valid to August 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The original Turbo R proved a revelation for reviewers, who marvelled at how agile a big two tonne saloon could be. Over the ensuing decade Bentley continued to improve the car, with the final versions like this one receiving a raft of cosmetic and mechanical improvements, including a power hike to just under 400bhp.
Only 1,524 LWB Turbo Rs were built and this car is amongst the final few hundred to leave the works in the last year of production. Finished in attractive Black Sapphire - it looks blue in some lights - with a Parchment leather cabin, it is a really well presented car that benefits from a huge amount of recent work.
The vendor acquired the car in 2022, not long after an extensive overhaul exceeding £14,000 by marque specialist Gordon Dale. Since buying the car he has spent over £15,000 of maintenance and improvements, including attention to the hydraulics, suspension, brakes and servicing. The brake work has included new calipers, hoses, pipes and pads.
The Turbo R is the last of the hand-built SZ models that set in train Bentley’s current renaissance. They are beloved of enthusiasts, and rightly so with their mix of turbo urge and limousine luxury. With advisory-free MOt to August 2026, this well kept car arrives with the buyer with a raft of recent investment.
The vendor says:
“I originally purchased this car as a test run for a Continental T. After spending a small fortune on the mechanics I decided to run as my daily and have truly loved every minute. Its an event driving or even being a passenger absolutely fantastic.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 7th March 1997
- Five registered keepers
- Current keeper since December2022
- Bought as a test run before buying a Continental T
- Retained by seller as a daily driver following significant mechanical investment
- Over £15,000 of maintenance since 2023 detailed below
- Maintained by same specialist workshop since purchase
- Large history file of invoices and MOTs as shown in photos
- £14,000 of work by Gordon Dale in 2017 detailed in invoices
- Pair of factory hard back handbooks as shown
- DVLA records a colour change in 1999 from blue to black
- Paintwork shows blue or black in light so this may be a reclassification of same paint (not verified)
- MOT valid to 14th August 2026 with no advisories
- 96,663 miles showing on MOT and 100,098 miles showing in photos
- V5C
- Factory specification list as shown in photos
Summary of recent maintenance (further details in photos):
- 06/25 - £394 - Beaconsfield Workshop (BW) - clutch system repairs
- 01/25 - £1,968 - BW - steering rack, gearbox service and suspension
- 12/23 - £2,946 - BW - servicing and suspension repairs
- 08/23 - £9,204 - BW - hydraulic repairs, servicing, brake work
- 03/23 - £540 - BW - full vehicle inspection
The Condition
- Attractive car in desirable Black Sapphire metallic paintwork
- Paint appears black or dark blue depending on light
- Few indications of age to paintwork but buyers should check photos and be realistic
- Bodywork in good order with arches, sills and panel edges presenting well as shown
- Fitted with correct Turbo alloys with red centre badges and Michelin tyres all round
- Exterior badging and chromework in very good condition
- Desirable final edition Turbo R with later post-1996 revised bumpers and cosmetics
- Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
- Parchment leather interior with blue piping in good condition
- High traffic areas such as driver’s seat and footwell present well as shown
- Dark blue carpets and dash top
- Revised post-96 interior withj updated fascia and centre console
- Switchgear and inlaid veneers in very good order as showon
- Fitted with modern Pioneer stereo
- One of the indicators is loose we are told
- Leather interior could benefit from a refresh according to seller
- The vendor reports that everything appears to work correctly
The Mechanics
- 385bhp 6,750cc turbocharged V8 engine
- Four-speed automatic transmission
- Over £15,000 of work by same specialist since 2023 detailed above
- Regularly serviced with last service at 93,205 miles in December 2023
- Recent new calipers, brake pipes and hoses
- Steering rack replaced and gearbox serviced in January 2025
- The vendor reports the car is mechanically very sound
- No advisories on MOT
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.
