Lot details Registration No: D558TWB Chassis No: SCBZS000XHCH21430 Mot Expiry: July 2006
A square-cut, broad-shouldered design, the Bentley Mulsanne was styled in-house by Austrian born Fritz Feller. Introduced at the 1980 Paris Motor Show, it enjoyed notably greater road presence than its T2 predecessor as well as a thirty percent larger glass area. Thus, while it looked suitably imposing from the outside, internally it proved pleasantly airy. Although, based on the T2 floorpan, the Mulsanne offered considerable improvements in both ride and handling thanks to its new Girling automatic ride height control and gas shock absorbers. By combining copious amounts of sound deadening with the finest quality upholstery, Crewe's engineers kept intrusion from the 6.75 litre V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission to a muted hush (unless the model's reputed 120mph potential was explored). Driver inputs were minimised with power assisted steering and disc brakes. Only in production between 1980 and 1987 (by which time it had gained Bosch fuel injection), just 482 Bentley Mulsanne Saloons are thought to have been made.
Finished in black with champagne leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being "generally very good in condition" with regard to its engine, automatic gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, paintwork, bodywork and wheels / tyres. Though, he notes that there have been "some minor rust repairs to the wheelarches over the years" and that its electric "passenger seat control" is no longer working. Registered new to the Eleventh Duke of Devonshire, it is stated to have covered "most mileage by chauffeur between Chatsworth and the House of Lords". Indeed, it is thought that there are still pictures of the Mulsanne hanging "on the wall in the Stables Restaurant at Chatsworth". Understood to have had a mere three keepers since, all of whom have done a comparatively "low mileage", this well-pedigreed Bentley has seemingly covered 91,800 miles from new. Said to be "lovely to drive", it benefits from "full service history and other documentation" including a "valuation certificate from the Bentley Drivers Club Jan '05 - £16,000". A rare motorcar with nice provenance, it also comes with MOT certificate valid until 11th July 2006 and road tax current until 31st August 2006.
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