1997 Bentley Turbo R LWB

Highlights

• Over £30,000 spent on maintenance and mechanical work, including a top-end engine rebuild
• Extensive history file with original handbooks, 16 service entries, MOT certificates and invoices
• Originally supplied by Jack Barclay in Midnight Blue with Azure wheels
• Desirable specification including big brake package, chrome grille and polished stainless steel bumper finishers
• Private registration plate included in sale

The Appeal

Who would have thought the venerable old L Series V8 would accept a turbocharger so readily? The Turbo R signalled a return to Bentley's illustrious sporting origins. For too long, the firm had lived in the shadow of Rolls-Royce, but here was a car with the performance and handling befitting the great Bentley name. By 1997, the model had reached its most refined iteration, and this example was originally supplied by Jack Barclay with a particularly desirable specification including the flying B bonnet mascot, extended leather, electric and heated memory seats, and further details noted below.

Mechanically, this Turbo R has received serious attention. During the current ownership of nearly six years, a top-end engine rebuild was carried out alongside rebuilds of both hydraulic pumps, the steering rack, rear brake callipers, handbrake mechanism and rear hubs. Prior to this, Royce Engineering carried out over £25,500 of work between 2013 and 2017. The vendor states the engine runs smoothly and powerfully, the gearbox changes nicely with no drivetrain clunks, and they would gladly drive 1,000 miles in it without concern.

Finished in Midnight Blue over a parchment and dark blue interior, it presents as what the vendor calls a "two-yard car": it looks well from a distance, with imperfections only visible on close inspection. Garaged throughout the current ownership and offered with a private registration plate and an MOT valid until May 2027, this is a well-sorted Turbo R ready to be used and enjoyed.

Key Information

• Mileage: 79,600 miles (indicated, supported by MOT certificates on file)
• Country of registration: United Kingdom
• Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 27th May 2027 (no advisories)
• Technical specs: 6.75-litre turbocharged V8, four-speed automatic
• Paperwork: original owner's handbook and service handbook, 16 service entries from 1997 to 2015, nine MOT certificates, and detailed invoices on file

The Detail

• Top-end engine rebuild during current ownership, including uprated head gaskets, heads skimmed and pressure tested, valves and seats refinished, fuel injectors refurbished, new spark plugs, vacuum hoses, seals, sensors and thermostat
• Turbo waste gate refurbished during current ownership
• Both hydraulic pumps rebuilt with new pushrods and reshimmed
• Steering rack rebuilt during current ownership
• Rear hubs rebuilt with new bearings, nuts, crush washers and seals
• New hydraulic spheres, new hard lines for rear brakes, rebuilt rear brake callipers, and handbrake mechanism
• New solid lines for the PAS cooler
• New 12V battery and new tyres all round
• Wheels powder-coated, new number plate lamps and various trim pieces fitted
• 10 invoices from Royce Engineering (2013–2017) totalling over £25,500 covering replacement radiator, suspension bushes, road spring cups, coolant expansion tank, cooling hoses, hydraulic pipework, Bilstein front dampers, drive belts, auxiliary door seals and many other items
• Invoices from current ownership totalling over £4,500 covering the top-end rebuild and associated mechanical work
• The vendor describes the paintwork as having a great shine with age-related light scratching and some scabs typical of the model
• The vendor states the underside is very rust-free, with evidence of wax protection from new
• Parchment and dark blue interior reported to be free from tears; the vendor states the front seat leather is nicely worn in, and the rear seats have barely been used
• Leather headliner reported to be in good condition with no sagging
• Wood dashboard and centre console described as in nice condition; rear door wood cappings have some sun damage and cracking
• Carpets reported to be in very good condition apart from NSR footwell where the leather edging has shrunk due to a pre-ownership water leak (leak fixed, carpet not yet re-stretched)
• Known fault: central locking does not work via remote fobs and the alarm siren is inaudible
• Known fault: heater blower fans do not work — believed to be caused by a four-way resistor block near the fan motors
• Bluetooth radio fitted and front door speakers replaced with upgraded items
• Garaged throughout current ownership; used for commuting, local shopping and a trip to Goodwood, where the vendor reports it was faultless and achieved 20 mpg
• No MOT advisories

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