Bentley Mulsanne S LWB

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Launched in 1980, the Mulsanne was effectively a Bentley version of the new Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and was virtually identical apart from a different radiator treatment and a more sporting interior.

In 1982 a Turbo version joined the range with 50% more power, sports suspension, sports seats, a revised centre console and alloy wheels. This was followed in 1987 by the Mulsanne S, which shared all the sporting features of the Turbo model and, from 1989, gained quad round headlamps instead of twin rectangular ones but retained a normally aspirated version of the familiar 6,750cc V8 engine, now fitted with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection.

With self-levelling rear suspension and massive brake discs all round, it was plenty quick enough for most owners, gliding to 60mph in 10 seconds with a top speed of 129mph. Inside was as sybaritic as you would expect from this stately home on wheels, with folding picnic tables for the rear passengers giving them somewhere to rest their cucumber sandwiches and pink gins. Just 909 Mulsanne S models were produced (plus another 61 in stretched LWB form) before it was replaced by the very similar Brooklands in 1992.

This particular car is one of those rare LWB models and was purchased new from HR Owen in August 1989 by the Lanesborough Hotel in Knightsbridge to ferry their A-list clientele around the delights of London. Always impeccably maintained, it has no fewer than 17 service stamps up to 108,741 miles in September 2008 with many supporting invoices, and has only covered a further 2,600 miles since then.

Bills on file show that it received new rear brake discs and pads less than 4,000 miles ago and a new distributor less than 1,000 miles ago. All the brake accumulator spheres were also replaced about 40,000 miles ago along with the power steering rack and the front shock absorbers. It retains all its original handbooks and has a battery isolator switch discreetly fitted in the boot for added security.

Purchased by the vendor in early 2011 from a gentleman who had owned and fastidiously maintained it for 10 years, it has been kept garaged these past 15 years at least and used on high days and holidays only. Said to drive superbly with an MOT until May 2016, it remains in fine condition throughout and will make the fortunate new owner feel like a millionaire every time they slip behind the wheel.