BENTLEY TURBO R 6.75 V8 AUTOMATIC
389 BHP MODEL
1996 ‘N’ REGISTRATION
AURORA GREEN METALLIC WITH MAGNOLIA HIDE
127K MILES
12 MONTHS MOT
EXCELLENT SERVICE HISTORY
SUPPLIED NEW BY JACK BARCLAY, LONDON
For sale is my Bentley Turbo R. I have had a couple of Bentley Eight models in the past few years (including Brian Johnson’s old one), and always hankered after a Turbo R.
A few months back I was selling my Range Rover Vogue, and a guy who was interested in the car asked if I wanted to do a deal with his Turbo R. We got talking, as deal was done, the cars were exchanged and I became the proud owner this magnificent, regal machine!
The car had been in Jersey since 2011, hence the MOT history stops at that point and picks up from today's MOT. Whilst in Jersey, cars do not require an MOT test, but have their own rules and regulations. Prior to the deal being done, the car had been unused since the end of last year, so needed a bit of recommissioning.
Specification includes:
* Aurora Green Metallic
* Magnolia Hide with Spruce Green Piping
* Electric Front Seats with Four Memory Settings
* Front Seat Heaters with Two Heat Levels
* Upgraded Bentley Mesh Grill
* 'Flying B' Grill Mascot
* 17" Turbo Alloy Wheels
* Walnut Burr Door Mappings
* Walnut Burr Centre Console Trim
* Leather Stitched Dashboard
* Magnolia Under Dash
* Jack Barclay Kick Plate on Driver's Door
* 'Turbo R' Front Wing Badges
* 'Turbo R' Boot Badge
* Red Bentley 'B' Badges on Rear Quarter
* Fluted Hide on Front & Rear Door Panels
* Seat Switch Surround in Hide
* Conifer Green Carpets in Car & Boot with Magnolia Edging
* Cruise Control
* Parking Sensors
* Air Conditioning
* Climate Control
* Electric Windows x 4
* Electric Door Mirrors
* Active Ride
* Hydraulic Suspension
* Leather Steering Wheel
* ABS Brakes
* Duchess Straps on Rear Seats / Fixed Rear Seat Bench
* Rear Quarter Companion Mirrors
* Front & Rear Central Arm Restraints
* Front & Rear Rear Head Restraints
* Central Locking
* Driver & Passenger Airbags
Mechanical
Since my ownership, it has had almost £1k spent on the following:
4 x New Bridgestone 255 / 55 / 17 Tyres
Full Service:
* Mobil 1 Correct Specification Oil
* 8 x Correct Specification NGK Platinum Spark Plugs
* Genuine Bentley Air Filter
* Genuine Bentley Oil Filter
* Genuine Bentley Fuel Filter
2 x New Genuine Bentley Wiper Blades
Repair to Fuel Filter Pipe
New Front and Rear Number Plates
The car now runs and drives as it should. Starts first turn of the key. No overheating. Idles in the correct manner. There is a slight oil weep from the rocker gasket and the coolant gauge has recently stopped working (prior to this, temperature was showing as bang in the middle). The Check Engine light sporadically appears, but it does not in any way affect the running of the car.
The engine has a phenomenal amount of torque, as you would expect being a 6.75 litre V8, with a huge garret turbo strapped on! Being the later model, it has 389 BHP. It is a very special unit, and back in 1996, would have been one of the most powerful and fastest cars on the road.
It pulls like an absolute train, with no power loss or hesitation. Still holds its own against newer cars, and you cannot believe how something so large and heavy can move so fast!
Put it into Sport Mode, floor it and the nose lifts, it revs all the way to the red line and pulls off into the horizon. It genuinely shocks people how a big old classic machine like this can lift its skirt.
The gearbox is good, and changes gear smoothly. Goes through all of the gears fine and Sport Mode engages as it should, as does the kick down.
Suspension is smooth yet very composed, only the way a Bentley Turbo R can deliver. It feels nimble for such a beast and also hugs the road surprisingly well. This is due to the fact it has the Active Ride setup, which gives it a sportier feel.
The brakes are strong and stop the large car fine. No shuddering or shaking. These run off the same hydraulic system as the suspension.
As mentioned above, it has four new matching Bridgestone tyres so the car glides along smoothly, as Bentley intended.
Exterior Condition
Finished in a rare and sought after 'Aurora Green' metallic (light, peppermint shade of green). Not many were finished in this colour, especially on this model year. It looks very stately in this colour and personally I think it suits the Turbo R's shape.
She is presentable, but needs attention in a few areas: There are marks, blemishes and stone chips as to be expected. The OSR wheel arch has corrosion and needs repair. The NSR wheel arch and front arches have some rust bubbles. There is also some corrosion below the OSR light unit and below the NSF light cluster, and some rust bubbles in a few other places.
OSF outer headlamp has discoloured internally (as mentioned on current MOT advisory). The chrome strip from the front windscreen needs to be re-fitted (Supplied, and in the boot).
Once given some TLC and a good mop & polish, you will have yourself a beautiful example in a rare and unusual colour.
Interior Condition
This Turbo R's interior was specced from new in Magnolia Hide with Spruce Green Piping, Conifer Green Interior & Boot Carpets with Magnolia Piping and Extended Magnolia Leather to the door cards, dashboard and centre console. It also has individual rear passenger foot rests, again finished in Conifer Green with Magnolia piping.
When you sit in an SZ-era Bentley, you appreciate how special they really are. Everything is hand-stitched and hard-carved, unlike even some of the top line German luxury cars. The switches are mainly hand-finished in high-end chrome (yes, real chrome, not plated!). Just feel the weight of one of the cigarette lighters, and you will see for yourself.
Generally, the interior is in very good order. The driver’s seat hide has got some cracks and wear on the bolster, and there are a few marks and blemishes as to be expected.
As with most older Bentleys of this era, the leather creaks as bit as you drive along (again, a good leather feed and regular use will see to this). The driver’s door walnut veneer capping has peeled away and needs either a refurb or replacing. Central locking is not working and the wiper motor has now seized up due to lack of use. Might be fixed with a lubrication service, or a new motor will be needed.
Service History
I have had some cars in my time, but never had one with a history file like this. There is well over £40k in Bills and Receipts! The majority of which are from Hanwell Car Centre of London - the reputable Rolls Royce and Bentley specialists.
The invoices prove that this car has been maintained and looked after as it should during it's life. Work includes: New Head Gaskets, New Suspension Dampers, Regular and Major Services, Tyres, Brake Discs and Pads, Radiator, Thermostats, New Bentley Mesh Grill, Alloy Wheel Refurbish, Drive Belts, Heater Matrix, Fuel Pump,
Summary
If you are on the lookout for one of these, then you know they sell for upwards of £13k, especially a 1996 model with the later GM gearbox and more powerful engine. This is priced lower than that, as it needs a little TLC as per the advert.
I was intending to get the bodywork done and then use it as a Wedding Hire car, but alas the corona has scuppered those ideas and I also have a few other classic cars which need my money and attention, hence why this now needs to go.
Comes with: 1 x Key, 1 x Remote Fob, MOT History Printout, Bills & Receipts Totalling Over £40k
Sold as Seen with the above listed faults and requiring TLC. No Warranty given and / or implied.
Most likely the cheapest 1996 Turbo R for sale in Europe!
Located in Shinfield, Berkshire, RG2 post code (Junction 11, M4).
Please call me on 07984 39540.
