Bentley Turbo R Raced by Matt Le Blanc

A certain motoring programme of yesteryear isn’t normally a place you go to for logical thinking. And yet, in 2019, that is exactly what you got. When Matt Le Blanc was tasked with sourcing a saloon race car in which to compete at Silverstone, he made the same choice favoured by illustrious pre-war racers: he picked a Bentley, just like the Bentley Boys.

Matt, Chris Harris and Rory Reid each had to find and prepare a plush saloon to race in the 750 Motor Club’s 2017 Birkett Six Hour Relay Race. Their budget? £6,000 or the price of a brand new Dacia Sandero. Alongside the Bentley, Rory selected a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, and Chris went for a Mercedes-Benz 600SEL.  Undoubtedly, the big, bruising Bentley was the only logical choice.

The precise model Matt Le Blanc selected was the Bentley Turbo R, a wise decision because, in this case, the ‘R’ stands for ‘Roadholding’. Where the earlier Bentley Mulsanne Turbo was a bit of a boosty, wayward-handling behemoth, the Bentley Turbo R was an altogether more planted and engaging ride. Contemporary reviewers loved it, querying how a two-tonne beast could be so agile. A great base, then, for a return to those Bentley Boys times.

The 1988 Bentley Turbo R they bought was a low-mileage example. It was repainted, of course, in racing green and kitted out with racing kit like a full roll cage, front splitter and rear diffuser and lowered suspension. Naturally, inside, the weighty leather and timber were largely removed.

Matt Le Blanc and his teammates didn’t quite match the heights of those Bentley Boys – they finished 69th out of 70 teams. But it’s the taking part that counts, isn’t it?

And now you can, too, because this famed Bentley Turbo R race car bruiser is up for classic car auction. With few miles covered since its race car transformation, this is a great opportunity to acquire a piece of racing history and a distinctive race car or track day weapon. You can find out more and place your classic car auction bid here.