Description
1998 Bentley Turbo RT Olympian. One of just four examples produced for the final year of production, three of which were commissioned for Mayfair Bentley agents, Jack Barclay. This example is the only one commissioned by H. R Owen and was delivered to School Road, North Acton on the 1st December 1997. The Olympian was built by Bentley’s in house coachbuilders, Mulliner, and had a plethora of special features to make these rarest of motor car truly unique. It is believed that only 3 Olympians are still in existence worldwide. Some of the most notable features include a small ‘Hooper’ style rear window, ruched leather in Darkest Grainy Blue with St James Red piping, wrap around waist rails with hand painted coach lines, H. R Owen door tread plates, Mulliner reading lamps and aluminium drilled pedals to name but a few. The factory build sheets detail dozens of pages of special features that adorned these models. As with all the Olympian cars, this example initially left the factory finished in Twilight Blue, it is understood to have been changed to the current Graphite Grey during the first ownership and it is believed that the car was sent back to the factory for this work to be carried out. The car was sold by H. R Owen to its first owner in August 1998 for an eye watering £160, 000 and has had 4 keepers since then. Maintenance has been carried out by Bentley Pulborough and ourselves. Having now covered 71, 000 miles, recent work has included a full 24, 000-mile service, all important replacement of the cylinder head gaskets and exhaust manifold gaskets, new exhaust lock tabs, a new ram pipe to the head joints and plenum joints, water bypass joints and new o-rings, and replacement of the rocker cover gaskets. The engine oil, oil filter, spark plugs, antifreeze, and HT ignition leads were also changed, along with the mineral oil. During the current ownership, around £25, 000 has been spent on servicing and maintenance meaning the car is on the button and wants for nothing. Under the bonnet is the turbocharged 6. 75-litre V8, which in this, the most powerful incarnation of the Turbo R, delivers 400 brake horse power and 600 ft-lb of torque propelling this two and a half tonne motor car to 60 in 5. 8 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. These cars are fitted with Bentleys ‘big brake’ package, limited slip differential and restricted lock steering rack. The brakes have been overhauled and discs and pads replaced in recent years. Offered with an impressive history file detailing the build and subsequent maintenance of this car throughout its life, the history file is also complete with original handbook, and past MOT test certificates. The RT Olympian is truly the rarest of all the SZ Bentley range there is no evidence of any other RT Olympian having been offered to the market making this a truly unique opportunely to acquire a piece of Bentley history, the last and rarest of all the true English Bentleys.
