At the end of the 1970's Bentleys accounted for a mere three percent of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' production; clearly a situation which could not be tolerated if the once-famous marque was to avoid extinction. The solution was to seek to re-establish Bentley’s credentials as the purveyor of high-performance luxury cars and, in a move calculated to evoke memories of the company's glorious past achievements at Le Mans, the name ‘Mulsanne’ was chosen for the Silver Spirit's counterpart. This strategy would succeed brilliantly. Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1982, the Mulsanne Turbo provoked a rash of headlines in the motoring press proclaiming ‘The return of the Blower Bentley’. Despite its not inconsiderable weight, the Turbo would accelerate to 60mph in around eight seconds, and 135mph would be showing on the clock before the limiter cut in. Few cars were - or are - better suited to fast long-distance touring. The ‘Silent Sportscar’ was back. Introduced at Geneva in 1985, the Bentley Turbo R continued the theme, but with the added refinement of suspension better suited to the car's increased performance. Outwardly the R differed by sporting cast-alloy wheels shod with low-profile Pirelli tyres, while inside there was a revised fascia with rev-counter included amongst the comprehensive instrumentation. So far, the Bentley resurgence had relied on models whose basic architecture was shared with other Rolls-Royce products; but also on display at Geneva in ‘85 was Project 90, a mocked-up coupe intended to gauge public response to the idea of a high-performance car unique to Bentley. When the real thing - the Bentley Continental R - was unveiled six years later, the waiting crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Despite the need to incorporate non-traditional features such as doors recessed into the roof, the result looked every bit a Bentley, albeit one re-stated for the 1990s. Also new was the gearbox, a four-speed automatic with an ‘overdrive’ top ratio, but the main focus of interest was the newcomer’s performance. Needless to say this was staggering, the combination of the Turbo R engine in the new wind-cheating shape cutting the 0-60mph time to under six seconds and boosting top speed to in excess of 150mph. Sold new via Mann Egerton, London, this pristine Continental R has enjoyed just two owners from new, the last being Bond Street jeweller David Morris The car’s service book records regular servicing with main agents Mead Bentley, of Burnham (11 occasions between February 1993 and November 1999 at 19,724 miles) and subsequently with Broughton’s (four visits between July 2000 and December 2002 at 23,413 miles). The current recorded mileage total stands at circa 24,000. Finished in Balmoral Green with Magnolia leather upholstery, Spruce interior detailing, Conifer carpets and matching lambswool over-rugs, the car is presented in ‘A1’ condition in every respect and worthy of the closest inspection. The vehicle is offered with complete book pack, all tools, factory specification sheet, current road fund licence, MoT to June 2005 and Swansea V5 registration document. An opportunity to acquire a near-perfect example of this rare and highly sought-after luxury supercar at a fraction of the launch price of £160,000.
At the end of the 1970's Bentleys accounted for a mere three percent of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' production; clearly a situation which could not be tolerated if the once-famous marque was to avoid extinction. The solution was to seek to re-establish Bentley’s credentials as the purveyor of high-performance luxury cars and, in a move calculated to evoke memories of the company's glorious past achievements at Le Mans, the name ‘Mulsanne’ was chosen for the Silver Spirit's counterpart. This strategy would succeed brilliantly. Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1982, the Mulsanne Turbo provoked a rash of headlines in the motoring press proclaiming ‘The return of the Blower Bentley’. Despite its not inconsiderable weight, the Turbo would accelerate to 60mph in around eight seconds, and 135mph would be showing on the clock before the limiter cut in. Few cars were - or are - better suited to fast long-distance touring. The ‘Silent Sportscar’ was back. Introduced at Geneva in 1985, the Bentley Turbo R continued the theme, but with the added refinement of suspension better suited to the car's increased performance. Outwardly the R differed by sporting cast-alloy wheels shod with low-profile Pirelli tyres, while inside there was a revised fascia with rev-counter included amongst the comprehensive instrumentation. So far, the Bentley resurgence had relied on models whose basic architecture was shared with other Rolls-Royce products; but also on display at Geneva in ‘85 was Project 90, a mocked-up coupe intended to gauge public response to the idea of a high-performance car unique to Bentley. When the real thing - the Bentley Continental R - was unveiled six years later, the waiting crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Despite the need to incorporate non-traditional features such as doors recessed into the roof, the result looked every bit a Bentley, albeit one re-stated for the 1990s. Also new was the gearbox, a four-speed automatic with an ‘overdrive’ top ratio, but the main focus of interest was the newcomer’s performance. Needless to say this was staggering, the combination of the Turbo R engine in the new wind-cheating shape cutting the 0-60mph time to under six seconds and boosting top speed to in excess of 150mph. Sold new via Mann Egerton, London, this pristine Continental R has enjoyed just two owners from new, the last being Bond Street jeweller David Morris The car’s service book records regular servicing with main agents Mead Bentley, of Burnham (11 occasions between February 1993 and November 1999 at 19,724 miles) and subsequently with Broughton’s (four visits between July 2000 and December 2002 at 23,413 miles). The current recorded mileage total stands at circa 24,000. Finished in Balmoral Green with Magnolia leather upholstery, Spruce interior detailing, Conifer carpets and matching lambswool over-rugs, the car is presented in ‘A1’ condition in every respect and worthy of the closest inspection. The vehicle is offered with complete book pack, all tools, factory specification sheet, current road fund licence, MoT to June 2005 and Swansea V5 registration document. An opportunity to acquire a near-perfect example of this rare and highly sought-after luxury supercar at a fraction of the launch price of £160,000.
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