Bentley Turbo R

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 Released in 1985, the Turbo R was a clear indication that Britain’s once most sporting marque was back with a vengeance after a period in the wilderness.

No longer just a wallowy Rolls-Royce with a different badge, the Turbo R was a seriously potent sporting saloon that could hurtle five occupants down a twisty A-road at immense speed yet in conditions of sybaritic luxury. No wonder it became one of the best-selling cars that Rolls or Bentley had ever produced.

The performance figures are impressive enough (330bhp and a staggering 480lb/ft of torque) but it is the way this power is delivered and the feel good factor of the magnificent cabin that really impresses passengers. Just to be invited aboard immediately gives you a sense of VIP status and every journey turns into an occasion.

This is, of course, what you would expect for the £100,000 that the car cost new, so it is all the more amazing that you can now pick up a good one for less than the price of a second hand Ford Focus. And which would you rather travel in?

This June 1987 example looks suitably regal in dark blue metallic with a magnolia hide interior piped in blue. It has covered some 121,000 miles with good early stamped history and a reassuring wad of invoices for maintenance since.

The vendor rates the bodywork as very good, while the interior is also said to be very clean and tidy, marred only by some slight veneer peel on the rear door cappings. The carpets are protected by overmats and rear passengers have footrests, while the original car telephone is also still present, concealed in a leather pocket.

The car is said to drive “faultlessly” with ice cold air conditioning. Although the MOT runs until November, the vendor will get a fresh 12 month ticket in time for the sale and the tax disc is valid until January so this great British bruiser can be driven away from the sale. Supplied with all its original handbooks, it offers the full ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’ experience and looks absurdly good value at the modest guide price suggested.

PS: This car now has a new MOT with no advisories recorded and has also been fitted with two new Avon tyres and new rear brake pads.