1996 Bentley Turbo R

Finished in Peacock Blue with a Parchment and Royal Blue hide interior, ‘P516 FTA’ is a 1996 long-wheelbase Bentley Turbo R that was supplied by Jack Barclay in November of that year.

Showing just two previous owners on the V5 registration certificate, it’s been in the owner’s care since 2005.

Very well preserved and running well, it represents a rare opportunity to buy a Bentley Turbo R that’s never had the words “structural” or “corrosion” in its MoT history.

What a fantastic colour Peacock Blue for the longer lines of the long-wheelbase version of the iconic Bentley Turbo R, eh?

Because, while still epically quick, the LWB version is about cossetting rather than cornering, and with less need to fly under the radar to avoid ticket-totting cops, the first owner was free to indulge themselves a little.

By choosing this stellar colour – and Peacock Blue is a great name for the hue because it’s a flashy without being gaudy. Eye-catching for the right reasons rather than the wrong if you like, a lesson some owners of new high-end machinery have yet to learn.

It’s also been very well looked after. With just two former keepers, no recorded accidents and fewer than 18,000 miles under its belt, it’s easy to imagine it’s lived a somewhat pampered life.

Because the shutlines are still impressive and the lateral alignment is perfect; dial in an impressive shine to the paintwork and this is a car that makes a great first impression.

The details continue to impress, even close. Like the almost blemish-free alloy wheels that are fitted with matching 255/55R17 Avon Turbospeed tyres, the tyre of choice for the tycoon in a hurry.

And the lamp lenses, which are still saturated with colour and free of cracks. And the badges, which are bright and colourful, and the chromework, which might be modest in extent but remains deep in shine.

Even the paint inside the door and boot apertures is clean and has a nice sheen to it.

Which means flaws are few and relatively minor.

Our man’s been over it with his customary thoroughness and uncovered two dents on the offside front wing, one dent below the driver’s door lock, a noticeable scratch to the boot lid next to the Bentley badge, and a few scuffs to the rubber trim on the rear bumper.

Even less problematic are some chips and marks to the edges of doors, a few light scratches and swirl marks to various panels, a couple of scratches to both mirror caps, small marks below the nearside mirror, and small areas of minor scuffing to both front wheels.

Crucially, our man didn’t find any rust bubbles or other red flags – and that’s not something you can say about many Turbo Rs these days…

While enthusiasts like us will want to pop the bonnet and admire the turbocharged V8 that lurks beneath, we’re pretty sure the first owner’s priorities would have been more focussed on comfort; after all, why else would you choose the model with an extra four inches of rear legroom?

Which means you’d have every right to expect the cabin to be wonderfully sybaritic.

Which it is.

It’s in great shape too, with our man describing it as being in a “very good condition with nothing more than light wear in the usual places.”

The seats are trimmed in Parchment hide (trim code A3672), which is the colour of clotted cream. Piped in Royal Blue (A4312) to match the coachwork, the front seats are wide and plump and more supportive than they look; let’s not forget that the Turbo R offers the potential for plenty of high-G shenanigans as well as gentle wafting.

They’re heated and electrically operated too, while those in the rear enjoy similar sumptuousness from their beautifully sculpted seats, massive legroom, mirrors in the C-pillars, reading lamps, and the nicest chrome door furniture we’ve seen in a while.

The door cards, headlining, and lower dash are finished in the same colour leather, and all are every bit as impressive in their design, execution, and condition as the seats.

Thick lamb’s wool overmats protect the (very good) blue carpets underneath.

The top of the dashboard is also blue and the softest, finest hide money can buy. And where we often see sun-bleached leather that’s easing away from the edges, the leather-covered dashboard in this Turbo R is in a fine condition and will demand nothing of its new owner other than continued regular feeding.

Bentley also made extensive use of burr walnut veneer, and the car’s three owners have clearly appreciated the workmanship that went into its design and installation because it has been as well maintained as every other fixture and fitting in here.

Shiny and glossy and free of chips, cracks, and peeling lacquer, again all you will need to do is to continue to keep it in the manner to which it has become accustomed.

The stereo is hidden behind a walnut door, giving the dashboard a clean look.

The boot is, as you’d expect, both vast and beautifully trimmed. It’s also home to the full-size and matching spare wheel and elasticated cover, battery, warning triangle, and what looks like an unused tool kit.

It’s all rather lovely but nonetheless, there are a couple of jobs for the new owner to do including sorting out the electrics to the front seats and door mirrors, as these only work intermittently.

The heel protector in the driver’s footwell is also damaged, the air-conditioning isn’t as cold as it should be, and the battery goes flat if it isn’t kept on a trickle charger.

NB: The D.I.P. (instrument cluster) was replaced by Jack Barclay on the 27th of October 1999 at 3,472 miles.

The Turbo R’s service history is recorded as follows:

• 19.08.1997 and 1,658 miles – service by Jack Barclay
• 27.10.1999 and 3,455 miles – service by Jack Barclay
• 09.11.2000 and 51 miles – service by Jack Barclay (speedo had been replaced)
• 12.11.2001 and 236 miles – service by The Bentley Service Centre
• 11.11.2002 and 3,123 miles – service by The Bentley Service Centre
• 20.11.2003 and 7,590 miles – service by Jack Barclay
• 25.01.2019 and 13,637 miles – service by Halfords

The video demonstrates that it starts cleanly, settles into a rock-solid idle, revs as well as you’d hope, and makes all the right noises and none of the wrong. It’s shows good oil pressure too, and a healthy charge to the battery.

The engine bay is decently clean, and even the underbonnet soundproofing is in good order.

Given it’s hosting a turbocharged V8 engine there’s a lot going on under there, but it is all delightfully analogue, and the competent home mechanic would have no trouble in identifying individual components for servicing and routine maintenance.

Yes, the fastidious will probably want to detail it but the rest of us would be content to wipe over the obvious areas and leave the rest as it is.

As for the underside, no MoT tester has ever had cause to mention structural corrosion or rust, which fans of the model will know is unusual…

The Bentley’s MoT certificate, which is valid until September 2025, was issued with no advisories, just like almost every single one before.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with three keys, two remote fobs, the owner’s manual and slip case, the stamped service history booklet, and a couple of invoices.

Yes, it needs a service and yes, the maintenance history is a bit patchy but in its defence we’d point you towards its MoT history, which is very impressive with just one advisory in 2019 for worn brake pads, plus one failure in 2006 for an ineffective parking brake: as you can see, this is not the usual Turbo R that’s been limping from one MoT to another, changing owners every few months as the scale of its issues become apparent.

Oh no, this is straight to us from the family who has owned it since 2005, so it’s had two decades of love poured into it, which makes our guide price of between £14,000 and £15,000 feel very reasonable.

Because this is the GOAT, the OG of the super-saloons and if you’ve ever fancied owning one, then this looks like a solid bet thanks to its colour, solidity, condition of the interior, and lack of rust.

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