Lot 615: 1986 Bentley Turbo R Saloon

Launched at the Geneva Salon in 1982, the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo provoked a rash of headlines proclaiming ‘The return of the Blower Bentley.’ In developing their engine to accept a Garrett AiResearch turbo-charger, Rolls-Royce’s engineers had to overcome the inevitable drawback of ‘turbo lag’, but apart from the necessary complication that this involved, needed to make few fundamental changes to the rugged 6,750cc V8. Despite its not inconsiderable weight, the Turbo would accelerate to 60mph in around eight seconds, with 135mph showing on the clock before the limiter cut in.
Introduced in 1985, the Turbo R continued the modern ‘Blower Bentley’ theme that had commenced three years previously with the Mulsanne Turbo, but with the added refinement of suspension better suited to the car’s increased performance. Bentley’s much-improved sports saloon was greeted with approval by Autocar magazine. ‘There was a time, not so long ago, when Bentley played a faint second fiddle to Rolls-Royce. That is no longer the case. Rolls-Royce’s management now recognises the value of the Bentley name and tradition and has developed the image - along with the sales - to take advantage. In a terribly upmarket way, Bentley is now the enthusiast, high performance partner, and never more so than in the turbocharged Bentley R.’ Outwardly the R differed by virtue of its cast-alloy wheels shod with low-profile Pirelli tyres, while inside there was a revised fascia with tachometer included amongst the comprehensive instrumentation. In a break with Rolls-Royce tradition, power figures were made public, revealing that the engine produced a 320bhp and a staggering 475lb/ft of torque. Few cars were - or are - better suited to fast long-distance touring.
Acquired by the current owner in August 2005, this Turbo R displays a recorded mileage of circa 73,000 on the odometer. Benefiting from a replacement automatic transmission and torque converter fitted in 2006, the car is described as in excellent condition throughout and offered with sundry expired MoT certificates and service bills, MoT to July 2008 and Swansea V5.