1996 Bentley Turbo R

By the 1980s a clear market was defined for a sporting, full sized four-door luxury saloon that didn’t compromise, and the Mulsanne Turbo S, a mildly restyled Spirit, surprised many who were used to the 'adequate' performance of the equivalent Rolls-Royce. Launched in 1985 with its distinctive pair of round headlights, the Turbo R was fitted with the turbocharged engine from the Mulsanne Turbo but additionally sported retuned suspension and wider tires on alloy wheels, the first Bentley for many decades to be engineered by Rolls for a sporting drive. From 1987 the Turbo R's V8 engine was fitted with fuel-injection for added torque. Motor Trend called the Turbo R 'the first Bentley in decades deserving of the famous name' in their review of the car on its introduction to the US in 1989.

When this consignor first drove a Turbo R, the engine was so quiet, the ride so smooth, and the interior so luxurious it gave a false sense of dignified, solemn motoring, until an alarming glance at the speedo. For the first time in decades, a Bentley was regarded as a car in its own right, and, it is safe to say that the Turbo R’s popularity proved that Bentley stood for something, evidenced by the development of the Continental R. Such was the distinction of the brand by 1998 that Volkswagen had their own plans for Bentley when BMW took over Rolls-Royce, and the rest is history.

This intriguing 1996 Bentley Turbo R was supplied by Bentley Sussex on 12th April 1996, and the private registration, N1 HMF, which it still wears today, was assigned to the car in 1997. It was ordered in Peacock Blue with Sandstone and Royal Blue hides, optioned with 'sports' seats, extra woodwork to the door panels, and a number of features found on later cars such as the wooden steering wheel from the US-only Turbo R SE. It may be the only Turbo R with a 1996 chassis number that sports side and bonnet vents together with a mesh radiator grille as found on the James Young edition of 1996.

The car is presented to auction with some 63,800 miles and an advisory-free MOT valid until July 2026. It’s accompanied by its original dealer handbook pack, Bentley specification sheet, and a history file that evidences maintenance regardless of cost. Bills on file amount to £43,000 worth of works since 2019 alone, carried out by the leading names in specialist Bentley servicing. In 2023, Chelsea Workshop checked the head gaskets when they changed the Ram induction rubbers and other work carried out included fitting an upgraded stereo system with a rear view camera.

Joining our vendor’s collection with the intention of regular use, a further £14,500 was recently spent at Bentley High Wycombe. However, as is often the case with domestic garaging, unexpected issues arise, and instead of the car languishing in a professional storage facility, our vendor would prefer this fabulous Bentley be enjoyed by a new owner.