{"id":33457,"date":"2025-03-14T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T09:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=33457"},"modified":"2025-03-18T14:51:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:51:36","slug":"top-gear-bentley-turbo-r-matt-leblanc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/top-gear-bentley-turbo-r-matt-leblanc\/","title":{"rendered":"Bentley Turbo R Raced by Matt Le Blanc"},"content":{"rendered":"

A certain motoring programme of yesteryear isn\u2019t 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<\/a>, just like the Bentley Boys.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Matt, Chris Harris and Rory Reid each had to find and prepare a plush saloon to race in the 750 Motor Club\u2019s 2017 Birkett Six Hour Relay Race<\/a>. Their budget? \u00a36,000 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.\u00a0 Undoubtedly, the big, bruising Bentley was the only logical choice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The precise model Matt Le Blanc selected was the Bentley Turbo R<\/a>, a wise decision because, in this case, the \u2018R\u2019 stands for \u2018Roadholding\u2019. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Matt Le Blanc and his teammates didn\u2019t quite match the heights of those Bentley Boys – they finished 69th out of 70 teams. But it\u2019s the taking part that counts, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nAnd 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A certain motoring programme of yesteryear isn\u2019t normally a place you go to for logical thinking. And yet, in 2019, that is exactly what you got. When Matt Le Blanc…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":33461,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[3238],"tags":[1337,2157,15,4227,181,90,1768,963,2117,12,13,2133,693,286,318,56,251],"yoast_head":"\nBentley Turbo R Raced by Matt Le Blanc - Car & Classic Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Take a dive into the Bentley Turbo R raced by Matt LeBlanc in 2017. 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