1997 Bentley Turbo RT

The ‘RT’ you see here is one of the last-of-the-line runout models. Boasting 400bhp courtesy of a Garrett AiResearch T04 turbocharger and a Zytek EMS3 engine management system, it can be easily distinguished from lesser (and cheaper) models by its different wheels, mesh radiator grille, and colour-coded bumpers with mesh inserts.

Only offered between 1997 and 1998, just 252 cars were bult to this specification, which is hardly a surprise given the first owner would have had to write a cheque for more than £135,000 (the equivalent of £270,000 today) – and that was AFTER being given a 12% discount.

Supplied by HR Owens and further tweaked by Mulliner Park Ward, ‘R400 NGF’ is finished in Black Sapphire with silver pinstriping and the optional Light Grey hide interior – not that the extra cost items ended there because it’s also got MPW five-spoke chrome wheels, front wing vents, and a cocktail cabinet.

The seller had been searching for an RT for a while, but he couldn’t find the right one, so settled for a Brooklands instead. Like you do.

Yup, you’ve guessed it, no sooner had it got the Brooklands home than this Bentley Turbo RT one turned up.

His 60 years in the motor trade meant he was happy taking a bit of a gamble on one that needed a bit of work, and he’s done a few bits and bobs to it since he bought it in September 2023.

Having now scratched that itch, he’s happy to let it go to let the next person realise their dream.
 

Black Sapphire is a helluva colour for a classic saloon like this, but the RT has presence enough to carry it off, warts ‘n’ all.

Not that there is too much wrong with it, especially from six feet away, and the combination of the very dark blue metallic coachwork and the imposing grille and matching 17-inch chrome wheels makes for a heck of a first impression.

And let’s talk about those wheels, shall we? For a start, they set the first owner back a four-figure sum, a figure that didn’t include the premium for having blue badges on the centre caps to match the coachwork.

Still in fine fettle with hardly a mark to them and almost no tarnishing to the chrome, they are also fitted with a matching set of 255/55R17 Michelin Latitude Sport 3, all of which still have decent tread.

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.

Other lovely touches include the Mulliner Park Ward vents on the front wings, a discreet badge bar, and four new headlamps, which now means that all the lamps are in good order.

Ditto those blue badges. No, not that sort of blue badge; we’re talking about the extra-cost ones the first owner splashed out on for the bonnet and boot.

(The boot lid also sports a Mulliner badge, and while it has MPW extras, it’s not one of the ultra-exclusive Bentley Turbo RT Mulliner versions.)

As for flaws, the area around the driver’s door is peppered with small marks, as is the bonnet. There are some scratches on the roof too, plus pitting to the door handles.

There are also bubbles on the lower nearside corner of the rear screen, the boot lid, around the door handles and locks, and along the tops of the doors, generally the paintwork around the car is generally quite poor. 
 

If the coachwork is just starting to show its age, the interior is still holding up very well – but then this is no ordinary interior.

For a start it boasts a cocktail cabinet (£3,295) and picnic tables (£1,087), both of which are still in a very good condition with the former still being in possession of its decanters and glasses.

There’s a walnut-framed vanity mirror in either C-pillar too, and because they’re illuminated, you’ll be able to check your hair night and day.  

The extensive Light Grey hide is in good order and still presents very well, even on the outer edge of the driver’s seat.

The Dark Blue carpets (capitalised, like the Light Grey hide because they’re the proper names Bentley gave them; none of your Elephant’s Breath nonsense here…) are very good, with only light wear. The rear-seat passengers also get to enjoy a pair of matching footrests, while all can enjoy the sensual pleasure of burying their tootsies in the deep-pile lamb’s wool mats.

The armrest between the rear seats holds a period Motorola mobile phone, which is now merely a conversation piece rather than something you can use to hold an actual conversation. There is also an aftermarket stereo fitted which does flip out to show a screen with Sat Nav.

The driver gets to hold a suitably fat wood-rimmed steering wheel as they feast their eyes on one of the simplest and most elegant wooden dashboards of the late 20th century.

There’s more wood on the transmission tunnel too, of course, plus the doors and the lower portion of the rear of the front seats, behind which lie the two cocktail cabinets. (Don’t tell us you thought the passengers were going to share one…)

Speaking of which, each front headrest holds a Kenwood screen to play movies via the dashboard mounted DVD player. There’s a set of headphones too, plus a remote control and the whole lot blends into the cabin’s somewhat old school character well.

A Bluetooth module is also fitted, and the rear cabin can be illuminated with blue mood lighting.

The Light Grey leather headlining is clean, taut, and free of damage.

The boot, which is also trimmed in Dark Blue carpet, is in a very good condition with barely any visible wear. It also plays host to the spare wheel and cover, a pouch containing a litre of engine oil, and the tool kit, jack, and hazard warning triangle.

All of which leaves little for the Bentley’s new owner to do. Some lacquer is peeling off the door cappings, and there are cracks in the surface of both picnic tables as well as the veneer on the top of the transmission tunnel. The speedo also does not operate correctly.
 

The work the seller has had carried out since buying it includes:

•    Replacing the radiator and refreshing the coolant
•    Fitting new drivebelts
•    Replacing the rear suspension spheres
•    Having both front seat control modules replaced
•    Renewing the amplifier for the stereo
•    Fitting four new headlamps
•    And sorting out the remote locking for the boot

Thus fettled, it starts on the button, idles and revs well, and does the whole lot with no unpleasant noises and an uncanny lack of vibration.

The engine bay is clean enough for you to be able to pop the bonnet in any company, yet not so overly detailed that you’ll be afraid to use it. It is, therefore, perfectly judged.

Another nice touch is the blue background to the engine nameplates, which we wonder formed part of the £200 charge that was made for ‘blue badging’?

The underside appears to be very solid; certainly, no MoT tester has ever mentioned structural rust and corrosion, which is one of the car’s few potential weaknesses.

In fact, the light surface rust to the sump demonstrates that it’s probably an oil-tight engine!
 

The Bentley’s MoT certificate is valid until May 2026, and the only two advisories were for “Nearside [and offside] Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material on hub.” In all, it’s accumulated eight advisory-free passes in its life, with the only other advisory being for a tyre in 2010.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes a V5 registration document, the Bentley wallet and handbook, a copy of the original sales invoice from the 27th of June 1997, a copy of the delivery note dated the 31st of July 1997, and much more paperwork from the time the Bentley was ordered.
 

The Bentley will be sold with the registration plate of R400 NGF. At this moment the vendor is awaiting the arrival of the new V5c therefore transfer of ownership immediately after the auction may be delayed. 

With a guide price of between £8,000 and £12,000, we don’t think it is possible to buy more luxury for less. After all, where else are you going to find picnic tables and a fully stocked cocktail cabinet for four figures?

This really is a Champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget.

It also offers more power than any sane driver needs, plus the handling to match AND one of the most cossetting rides the world has ever experienced.

Perhaps best of all, the seller is happy to offer it with no reserve, gambling (again!) that there’s another dreamer out there who wants to make their Bentley Turbo R-shaped dream come true. 

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 ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.