Highlights
- One-off race car built for Matt Le Blanc
- Based on a Turbo R and professionally converted for racing
- Features stripped interior, welded roll cage, race seat, front splitter and rear diffuser
- Low mileage for year
- Classic racing green and in good overall condition
The Appeal
This one-off Bentley race car is the result of a typically convoluted challenge for television... Matt Le Blanc and his colleagues were tasked with buying a luxury saloon and turning it into a race car for less than the cost of a brand new Dacia Sandero.
Matt chose this car, a 1988 Bentley with the desirable ‘Turbo R’ performance and handling package. Looking at this magnificent beast of a Bentley, we can be grateful the Dacia salesman lost out. Featuring lowered suspension, front splitter and rear diffuser and a ‘lightweight’ stripped-out interior with a full roll cage, this big car is every inch the purposeful racer. It competed in the 750 Motor Club’s Birkett Six Hour Relay Race alongside Chris’ Mercedes 600SEL and Rory’s ‘75 Silver Shadow. With such heavy machinery, success was not a given, or actually given - the team finished 69th out of 70 entries.
None of which matters now. Here is a chance to nab a professionally race-prepared Bentley with great provenance and purposeful aesthetics. Whether you choose to take it racing or draw gasps at a track day, this is one for those who want to follow in the footsteps of the Bentley Boys. And Matt Le Blanc.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st December 1988
- 13 registered keepers from new
- Converted for Matt Le Blanc in 2017
- Raced by Matt Le Blanc at 2017 750 Motor Club Birkett Relay Race
- Driven by Matt Le Blanc in the race and on the show
- Various photos included showing MLB with car
- V5C in current keeper’s name
- Last MOT expired August 2018 with 107,099 miles on test
- Now showing 107,593 miles
- Registered on plate F832EBV
- We cannot verify that the car remains road legal due to the modifications
The Condition
- Modified Turbo R in ‘racing’ mid-green in generally good overall condition
- Paintwork is in fair condition with marks, scuffs and crazing to note in photos
- These include scuff to boot lid and a dent to offside rear door
- Bodywork presents well with some minor deterioration to rear wings and sill edges
- Largely standard bodywork with obvious modifications shown in photos
- Fitted with front splitter and rear diffuser and other required race modifications
- Some exterior badges are missing as shown in photos
- Five spoke alloy wheels in good overall condition with centre caps missing
- Fitted with racing Toyo Proxes tyres in good condition
- Stripped interior that retains some trim and woodwork as shown
- Dashboard is largely complete including switchgear, leather top and trim
- Door top veneers still present but in deteriorated condition
- Fitted with welded-in roll full roll cage
- Cobra Sebring Pro racing seat with fabric trim as shown
- Lifeline fire and safety system plumbed in
- Retains the decals and roundels from the race and filming
- No notified faults with lights, electrics or switchgear
- No dashboard warning lights notified by seller
The Mechanics
- 6,750cc turbocharged V8 engine
- 3spd automatic gearbox
- ‘R’ model with improved handling and roadholding
- Little use since last MOT in 2018
- We understand that the mechanicals are largely standard
- Lowered suspension and other light running gear modifications for racing
- No notified running or driving faults
BEFORE YOU BUY
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 of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s 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 and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.
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or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand.
