• Enthusiast owned and maintained

• Hand built performance saloon

• Very usable and stylish classic

Launched in 1985 as a successor to the Mulsanne Turbo, the Turbo R (the R stands for roadholding) is a classic, hand built, performance saloon trimmed with the finest materials and powered by a turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 producing 296bhp for 0-62mph in around 7.0 seconds. 

Bentley offered motorists a slightly more sporting alternative to the Rolls Royce equivalent of that era, reflecting their racing history and successes through the years. It is the car that really restored the iconic Bentley brand to its former glory, transforming the original Mulsanne Turbo into a more complete package with vastly improved road holding.

Supplied new in 1990 this Bentley was regularly serviced and maintained by Main Dealers and specialist garages until 2007 after which the current owner, a Rolls Royce enthusiast and mechanic, has looked after the car personally attending to its every need.

Now offered up for auction, this is a particularly clean example of the Turbo R with upgraded Bentley alloy wheels and lower mesh airvents.

The car comes with its V5c showing 12 owners and an MOT that runs out in December 2021. 

There are 2 original keys and a full set of owner’s manuals and the service book, which is stamped up until 2007.

The owner advises that it will require some attention to the exhaust manifold, which is blowing, to pass the MOT. Other than that, it has no current issues or concerns.

The beige with red piping leather interior still has heaps of old world luxury and charm about it with piano black wooden door cappings, and wooden dashboard, facia and steering wheel finishing the look and feel off nicely. 

Overall, the interior is presented in very good order with a slight patina of age on the leather seats, which look inviting and very comfortable. The red contrasting piping is all there and the carpets still have plenty of life left in them, having been protected by beige over mats. It has beige leather kneel roll and red leather dash, full leather headlining with lovely wood throughout, and is fitted with the usual Bentley refinements, air-conditioning, electric heated memory front seats, electric windows, stereo radio/cd.

The Bentley, presented in Vermillion Red paintwork looks good from every angle, sitting squarely on clean and undamaged upgraded alloy wheels, all with good tyres.

The car has obviously had some paint in its past, certainly the bonnet which appears to be a slightly different shade of red to the rest of the car, but overall the car presents very well with no obvious dents or scratches anywhere in the bright red paintwork. 

The chrome-work on the car all seems in very fine shape with hardly any signs of discolouration or pitting and all sit on good rubber seals, which similarly show no fading or fraying. 

The shut lines all round are good and the doors all open and close with a reassuring solidity, showing no signs of sagging. The sills and the base of the 4 doors all appear free from any rust, and the large bonnet and boot sit squarely and correctly. 

Under the bonnet looks good, the under-bonnet soundproofing is still in good shape, and there are no obvious signs of any oil leaks or signs of major corrosion, with all hoses being well secured and all appearing supple and clean.

The car is reported to be in good mechanical condition having been regularly run and serviced by the current owner himself during his 14 years of ownership.

He reports no known issues, other than the exhaust manifold, and confirms that everything works and the car starts and drives as it should.

The Bentley Turbo R was built as a real gentleman’s performance car, providing the occupants with comfort and luxury and plenty of power to make long journeys and touring a real pleasure.

A rare and sought after classic car already, demand is only likely to grow as motoring enthusiasts and collectors alike become to regard the Turbo R as a very driveable car to own and enjoy.