Lot details Registration No: B398FMB Chassis No: SCBZS0T02FCH13461 Mot Expiry: July 2007
The Bentley Mulsanne, along with its Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit cousin, was launched in the autumn of 1980 to replace the Bentley T-Series which had been in production since 1965. Not revolutionary in its styling by any means, the Mulsanne's handsome square rigged bodyshell was an evolution of T-Series themes and most of the improvements were concentrated under the skin to make the car better to drive and to ride in than its predecessor. However, the significance of the Mulsanne and its descendents was to only to be realised later as Rolls-Royce used this model as a basis to relaunch the Bentley marque as a more sporting alternative to the Rolls. This policy was so successful that it was to see a full reversal in the traditional sales ratio between Rolls-Royce and Bentley in favour of the Bentley marque. First step in this direction was the launch of the Mulsanne Turbo in 1982. The first Bentley for many years to have no direct Rolls-Royce equivalent the Mulsanne Turbo had 300 bhp as opposed to the standard car's 200 bhp together with a suitably stiffened chassis and could be identified by a painted as opposed to chrome plated radiator shell surround. An immediate success, the Mulsanne Turbo was joined by an uprated Turbo R with stiffer suspension and wider tyres in 1985 and with constant improvement the Turbo R lasted in production until the launch of the Arnage in 1998.
The 1985 Turbo R for sale here today is finished in royal blue with blue piped cream leather interior (including headlining) and is described by the vendor as being 'good' in all aspects and 'in clean condition throughout'. We are told that there is a considerable (although not complete) history file with the car including the original build certificate obtained from the Rolls-Royce Owners Club. Options fitted include fire extinguisher, rear picnic tables, lambs wool over rugs, rear footrests and town & country horns and the car has subsequently been enhanced with twin headlamps, a high level brake light and six disc CD system. Originally supplied by SP Broughton of Cheltenham and owned by the present owner for 5 years (3 of which were spent in heated storage) this Bentley is MOT'd until July 2007 and taxed until January of the same year and is therefore ready to drive away from the sale.
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