Bentley Mulsanne Turbo

History

Introduced in 1982, the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo shared the traditional 6.75 litre Rolls-Royce V8 of its Silver Spirit and Mulsanne siblings. Outwardly only a radiator painted in the car's body colour and discreet badges at the back and on the lower front wings gave a hint of the car's outstanding potential.

But under the bonnet lurked a Garrett AiResearch turbocharger mated to a Solex 4-barrel downdraught carburettor in a plenum chamber which increased the engine's power by a massive 50 per cent – up to 300bhp. Driving through a 3-speed automatic gearbox with uprated torque converter, the car could comfortably top 135mph but was electronically limited to this speed in deference to the tyres. Only 498 examples were produced before it was replaced by the Turbo R in 1985.

This particular 1984 model is said to be in very good condition all round and to drive extremely well. Additions to standard specification include a Harvey-Bailey handling kit, picnic tables in the back, a top spec Blaupunkt New York radio-cassette and graphic equaliser, a 'Flying B', a badge bar, quad headlamps, a remotely actuated locking and alarm system, alloy wheels and a detachable towbar.

The 111,000 mileage displayed is believed to be the genuine total from new and can be checked against the service records. Apart from 1988 to January 1993, this service history is claimed to be substantial with many bills and all tax discs since 1989 on file. The car has just been serviced and has been treated to new engine mounts, brake discs and oil seals at a cost of £3,200. With an MOT until March 2008 and taxed until next April, this is a huge amount of car for a very modest sum of money.