1993 Bentley Brooklands

Finished in Cobalt Blue with a Parchment hide interior, this Bentley Brooklands was delivered to its first owner by Weybridge Automobiles on the 26th August 1993.

The seller bought ‘L276 XLN’ only last year – and immediately found his dream car, a Bentley Turbo RT, for sale shortly afterwards. Of course, he did the sensible thing and bought that too, but now feels he should sell the Brooklands.

Still showing just over a hundred thousand miles on the clock, this example is likely to be a very cost-effective way of getting behind the wheel of this legendary British behemoth. 
 

The Bentley’s Cobalt Blue coachwork is impressively straight. With no dents, dinks or other damage, even the flanks are free of the sort of ripples cars tend to collect in today’s under-sized parking spaces.

The paintwork has a good shine to it too, and that subdued-but-regal colour is enhanced by good chromework.

The winged Bentley emblem sits on top of that imposing radiator grille, and both, along with the green badge that lies underneath, are in great shape.

The 15-inch wheels are in a good but not perfect condition thanks to a few very light nibbles to their rims – and that somewhat mixed news improves with the discovery they’re fitted with matching 235/70R15 Avon Turbosteel tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for flaws, cosmetically the nearside front fog lamp lens is cracked, the nearside door mirror is scuffed, and the rear numberplate is undersized.

More seriously, rust has appeared around the nearside rear door handle, the offside rear door below the quarterlight, around the rear window, and around the driver’s door lock.
 

The interior, whose colour scheme is a fetching combination of Parchment hide (A3672) and Dark Blue hide piping (A4133), has survived the ravages of time with impressive aplomb. With plump and only gently creased front seats, the combination of leather, wool, and wood is as compelling as ever.

The front seats are electrically adjustable and have a four-person memory switch. They also feature some of the most beautifully labelled seat heaters we’ve come across in a long time.

The rear seats are in an even better condition, and they benefit from bestowing their occupants with an impressive amount of legroom. They will seat three abreast but given their shape, they’re probably better utilised to carry two in complete comfort, although another could be added for short journeys. Regardless of number, those in the rear will be able to admire themselves in matching walnut-burr-trimmed mirrors.

The condition of the carpets is very good too, as are the headlining and the door cards.

The walnut veneer trim, of which there is an inordinate amount, is excellent, albeit with some fine cracks on a couple of the pieces. The chrome controls that are set within are equally impressive.

The boot is as well trimmed as they always are and plays host to a set of blue lamb’s wool overmats as well as the usual amplifier and CD multichanger, a bottle of hydraulic fluid, the tool kit, and a warning triangle.

The spare wheel is in a cradle underneath.

As for faults, the driver’s door will only lock and unlock with the key rather than the remote control. The front passenger window will go down okay but needs some assistance to come back up, and the front passenger seat doesn’t adjust either.
 

The Bentley’s service history booklet and the invoices on file record the following:

•    01.11.1993 and 3,024 miles – service by Weybridge Automobiles
•    24.01.1994 and 5,697 miles – service by Weybridge Automobiles
•    22.08.1994 and 14,995 miles – service by Weybridge Automobiles
•    11.04.1995 and 23,543 miles – service by Weybridge Automobiles
•    06.10.1995 and 23,656 miles – service by Jack Barclay
•    16.05.1996 and 31,362 miles – service by Jack Barclay
•    27.11.1996 and 38,013 miles – service by C.D. Carriage Company
•    12.06.1997 and 42,920 miles – service by C.D. Carriage Company
•    21.01.1998 and 47,803 miles – service by C.D. Carriage Company
•    22.03.2000 and 58,275 miles – service by Hooper
•    10.11.2000 and 60,412 miles – service by Hooper
•    18.06.2001 and unknown miles – service by C.D. Carriage Company
•    16.01.2002 and 69,867 miles – service by C.D. Carriage Company
•    20.01.2003 and 80,430 miles – service by Hillier Hill
•    04.03.2003 and 80,430 miles – gearbox and exhaust repair by Hillier Hill
•    01.12.2004 and 87,495 miles – service by Hillier Hill
•    17.10.2005 and 89,371 miles – repairs to the power steering system by Hillier Hill
•    28.03.2006 and 90,664 miles – service by Hillier Hill
•    07.09.2006 and 91,928 miles – repairs to the suspension ECUs by Hillier Hill
•    02.07.2009 and unknown miles – repairs to the steering rack, brakes and suspension damper by Hillier Hill
•    07.04.2010 and 97,839 miles – service by Hillier Hill
•    23.03.2012 and 100,977 miles – service by Hillier Hill
•    13.03.2013 and 101,856 miles – service by Hillier Hill
•    19.03.2014 and 102,862 miles – service by Hillier Hill

There is a gap in the service history from 2014 onwards but then the MoT record has a gap from 2015 to 2020, so we can infer it was off the road during this time. In either case, it only travelled a couple of thousand miles since last being serviced.

As you can see in the video, it starts well and idles and revs with the sort of muted menace you more usually associate with being onboard an ocean liner.

Our assessor, a man of vast experience but few words, says it “drives well”.

The engine and underbonnet area are nicely presented and, unlike modern cars, everything is open for inspection and easy access rather than being hidden behind plastic covers.

If you’re looking for a job, the valve covers have been painted with more enthusiasm than skill but that’s a job for Future You.

As for the underside, the underseal has worn away and flaked off in places, leaving the underlying steel exposed. This has started to rust, so halting that and re-protecting it should be a priority.
 

The Bentley’s MoT certificate is valid until September 2024.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Bentley comes with two sets of keys, a stamped service history booklet, and plenty of older invoices for service and maintenance work.
 

With a guide price of between £6,000 and £10,000, we think this Bentley Brooklands has an awful lot going for it.

Yes, it needs some work to keep it looking this good for a while longer, and yes, the MoT expires soon but to keep you interested the seller is happy to offer it with no reserve, so it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

It would make a helluva ‘I bought the cheapest Bentley Brooklands in the UK’ project, wouldn’t it?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.