West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely stunning and exceptional example of this low production and gorgeous late model 1997 Bentley Turbo R (Long Wheel Base) sporting sedan with only 46K original miles and in a very striking and stunning color combination of 'Acrylic White' factory color paint with 'Tan' Connolly hides with original Bentley lambswool floor rugs!
This pristine example has its original dealer maintenance booklet, owners manuals and complete tool kit included. The car has a beautiful and highly desirable all original color combination of original factory 'Acrylic White' exterior paint with original factory painted Gold pin stripes, highly striking chrome Bentley wheels and with gorgeous 'Tan' Connolly leather hides, tan leather headliner and carpeting with original factory lambswool rugs which is in virtually flawless condition throughout. The original paint still reflects like glass and all the chrome work including the front grille and bumpers is absolutely outstanding. The leather seats, dashboard and headliner show virtually no signs of any wear whatsoever. Obviously always garaged with no accident history and obviously owned by only very careful and meticulous drivers since new - never abused with a clean Carfax!
The car drives exactly like such a well maintained and serviced late model Bentley Turbo R should and must be driven to be fully appreciated and seen to be believed! Reportedly always primarily serviced only at Rolls Royce/Bentley dealerships or specialized independent service stations with recent servicing and maintenance primarily at 'Newport European Motorcars' of Irvine, CA which later became "Rolls Royce Motor Cars of Orange County" the RR dealership of Irvine, CA & at "Ronny's Garage" renown classic Rolls Royce/Bentley independent specialists of Santa Ana, CA. The most recent full service was at 46,017 miles (only some 300+ miles ago) and included servicing the air conditioning unit and replacing the AC condenser and servicing the brakes and replacing both brake accumulators. The engine is extremely strong with no oil leaks, the transmission is very smooth with Rolls Royce/Bentley's legendary almost imperceptible shift and the engine temperature always remains cool.
The car has a stereo Kenwood radio/CD/navigation system which was installed and is turn-key ready, this particular model drives exactly as it must have when it left the showroom floor almost twenty-five years ago; you could not possible tell the difference! All the options are working as they should including the ice-cold A/C.
Bentley's history is associated with luxury and grace but another attribute is of course high performance. Until 1982, the company, along with Rolls Royce, had been more concerned with building the best car money could buy .... and then it turbo-charged the Mulsanne. The car was a phenomenal performer for such a heavyweight and the Turbo R continued that tradition with a completely reworked chassis with upgraded steering and brakes and was aimed at the owner who preferred to drive themselves rather then be driven!
To make such a large luxurious and heavy car go so fast (Bentley and Rolls Royce traditionally never published official figures but the output was conservatively estimated at 0-60 in 6.7 seconds with a top speed in excess of 170 mph) a V8 with a single in block cam and two overhead valves per cylinder displacing close to 427ci (7 liters) and breathed by a Garret turbo gave the Turbo R the pace of a low-slung supercar! This gave the car dramatic acceleration and earned it a following amongst enthusiastic and obviously well-heeled driver/owners! (original MSRP cost of this car was over $200K in 1997 which is over $348K when adjusted for inflation according the CPi inflation calculator)
Unrestricted versions, with low profile tires have been tested at speeds in excess of 170 mph proving the turbo-charger turned the already potent engine into a powerhouse! Stiff suspension, front and rear anti-roll bars and electronically (computer) controlled variable rate self-leveling shocks for any driving condition kept the ride smooth despite the beefed up suspension and the road handling was absolutely world class exceptional too! Big 18" rims went against tradition but run on 265/45 ZR tires in the turbo R's sporting theme. This should prove the most collectible of it's generation being the quickest and most distinctive Bentley since the S-Type Continental with the Turbo R having the edge in esteem thanks to it's more capable handling.
In 1995, the "New" Turbo R was introduced, and this car differed from the previous model by having updated body-color cladding and mirrors as well as a sport button on the automatic gear shift that stiffened the suspension and changed the gearbox shift points. In all 5,196 short wheelbase and only 2,034 long-wheelbase Turbo Rs and new Turbo Rs were built between 1985 and 1997. In 1996 production of the short wheelbase Turbo R ended, leaving only the model hitherto sold as the Turbo RL - now known simply as the Turbo R. This particular car is a new model 1997 Bentley Turbo R and one of only 823 LWB models built.
You will surely look long and hard to find a finer example of this low 46K original miles 1997 Bentley Turbo R LWB sedan! For those who are unfamiliar, Rolls Royce and Bentley no longer exist as they had for over one hundred years - this is one of the last in the original line of cars built in the legendary Rolls Royce/Bentley factory in Crewe, England with a quality and craftsmanship that far surpasses that of today's mass produced models with many BMW parts - this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of automobile history, from a time when Rolls Royce and Bentley were truly building the world's finest motor cars.
This increasingly collectible model is becoming harder to find in such exemplary condition, with only very limited numbers ever built, this must certainly be one of the finest examples available anywhere - so bid with confidence, this will no doubt prove a fabulous investment for the Rolls Royce or Bentley enthusiast or collector or simply a great daily driver or weekend toy for the discerning luxury classic car owner!
