Description
1987 Bentley Turbo R
First series with EFi & ABS
Full history & 36250 miles ONLY
The first Turbo R I ever sold was in 1989, to an Islamic art dealer just off Bond Street. It too was a 1987 early fuel injection version with ABS and again finished in the lovely Lagoon Blue with magnolia interior piped in dark blue, with about 22, 000 miles—just as this example displayed when the last owner purchased her in 1991, as the third private owner.
I often saw her running around Mayfair with her very distinctive number plate, K 1.
So, when I was offered this car last year, and it came out of long-term ownership, I was intrigued—was it the same car I had sold all those years ago?
As it happened, it was not, but an interesting story ensued, as my ex-father-in-law, Richard, called me because his neighbour, whose house was behind his, was about to sell his Bentley.
Richard, although a regular attendee of dinner parties at his house, had never known that he owned a Bentley—the house in the South of France, yes; his business interests, yes; his other cars, yes—but he never mentioned that he had a Bentley until late one evening, after another dinner party, when he asked, "Are you still in touch with your ex-son-in-law who deals in classic cars?"
"Why, yes," confirmed Richard. "Why?"
And so, the story unfolded, hence Richard's phone call to me.
Within a week, I was down in Wallingford discussing the Bentley with the owner. Yes, it's the same colours, with picnic tables, leather top roll to the dashboard, fully veneered door panels, rear quarter badges, chrome grille and Flying B, fire extinguisher and a trifling 36, 000 miles only since new.
Oh, and she the had original big rectangular headlamps replaced with the updated twin round headlights which were introduced in 1989, which had been updated by the selling dealership even before he first ever met her.
He purchased her from Harwoods of Pulborough, still official Bentley dealers, in 1991 and kept her ever since!
He kept the original stock list they sent to him via the post (very old school), the original Bentley brochure (we like that), the used car order form, and the purchase invoice, showing that he part-exchanged his 1981 Silver Shadow II with only 27, 000 miles.
When he purchased the Turbo R, it had 22, 000 miles, so in the interim 32 years, he travelled only 14, 000 miles. There is a complete history to validate, as you would expect.
We have serviced her upon arrival with us: new tyres (£1, 800 plus fitting, thank you), new air conditioning compressor, new accumulators, new rear gas springs, as well as the normal routine service items.
All door cards were removed to alleviate slow-moving electric windows—much better now—and everything I could think of, even if it wasn't really necessary.
The veneers are in really top condition, as is the original magnolia interior. Never has she been Connolised, so the driver's seat is not mint, but it's only original once. I'm very happy with how she looks.
The electric seats work as they should (we repaired the passenger seat, which was not working), and the original radio is in the boot. We have fitted a modern Blaupunkt radio that looks period while still giving Bluetooth for phone and music.
On the road, she sits square, rides well, has strong brakes, and best of all, the most vivid acceleration from the 6. 75-litre turbocharged engine. 0-60 was claimed at 6. 6 seconds. Mid-range acceleration is even better, and even in today's traffic, she can still show a clean pair of heels to most cars on the road.
The very early Turbo R came with carburettors, which didn't start when hot from fuel vaporisation, and the engine bay became so hot. The introduction of EFI eradicated this issue, as well as giving more power with a more consistent torque delivery.
At the same time, ABS was introduced, which was imperative with such a fast and powerful car carrying so much weight.
For the interior, the Turbo R introduced the new Bentley sports seats, which were also a revelation—very comfortable and supportive, which is essential on the corners with the Turbo R's cornering speeds.
For me, these are the best of the Turbo R—less ECUs, which cost a lot to renew; no head gasket issues, which came with the constantly increasing power outputs of the nineties; and smaller and less flashy wheels.
Nowadays, they are few and far between, especially with not just a low mileage but a complete service history to boot.
Original books, small and large tools, of course.
She is a real head-turner. Such a pretty colour is Lagoon Blue—we will be sorry to see her go.
