1987 Bentley Mulsanne

Like many enthusiasts, Peter, the Bentley’s owner, bought the car for those long touring drives we all aspire to do. He is no stranger to classic car ownership - in all its aspects - having completed many restorations, and still works on the cars he owns. And with an engineering background, he has always serviced and worked on his own cars.

‘I’ve had the Bentley for ten years,’ he says. ‘It’s a very solid car and it’s never failed me,’ he points out. ‘There is no rust underneath.’

Peter explains that the Mulsanne did have rust in the wheel arches, but these were cut out and he welded in replacement panels. He parts (from a Rolls-Royce main agent) cost around £1000 at the time, with some £3000 more spent on repainting the lower half of the car.

Intent on ‘rationalising’ his collection (and his time commitment), and with the Bentley spending ever more time in the garage, Peter has decided it’s time to let the Mulsanne go touring with a new keeper.

Overall this Bentley presents pretty well, though the car as a whole would definitely benefit from a good wash and polish. The paint finish in general is good, showing a good gloss (under the dust) and consistent colour all around. As Peter said, the wheel arches have been replaced, but the colour remins uniform across the flanks, and all those very straight-edged panels line up nicely - on both sides. Panel edges around lights are very tidy. The gold coachline is unbroken and maintains a straight path on both sides, front to back. The sides are smooth and the big bonnet and boot lids sit squarely - very squarely - in place. Also, the doors open without sagging or juddering - and that’s quite a lot of metal and fittings to move smoothly.

There are a handful of very small chips to the paintwork, but no corrosion to be seen, save for one or two very tiny cracks in seams such as at the base of the near-side A-pillar (door open). Certainly nothing to raise any kind of worry. The door cavities and hinges are sound and rust free.

The car’s chrome work appears very sound, with virtually no signs of pitting or discolouration. Folds and joins in the brightwork are neat and clean, and the rubber seals and mountings are also straight-edged, retaining a healthy colour and fitting snugly with the metal. The strips of chrome along the sills also remain pitting and dent free.

The big signature radiator grill again looks smart, though there is a little surface corrosion noticeable under the foot of the Flying B.

Glass is good all around, though there is a tiny amount of delamination on the top corners of the windscreen.Seals around doors and windows are largely very good, with only one or two small areas frayed, such as (oddly) the hinge-side top of the off-side rear door.

The Bentley sports a black vinyl roof which, again, after a good clean, will look pretty handsome. The material fits well, with largely good seams (though separating a little at the off-side rear). There are some small bubbles in the surface at one or two places, so it’s difficult to know what might be happening under the vinyl.

The cream with blue piping leather interior is in largely good order, with the rear seats especially looking very smart. This car boasts the rear picnic tables (a considerable cost option), and these retain great colour and figuring in the wood (and fold down smoothly). The backs and bottoms of the front seats haven’t suffered from kics or scuffs. Coming forward, the front seat leather has predictably seen the most wear. The seats show a general patina with creasing (and some dirt here) though the piping remains very much intact. There is a small hole low down in the outer bolster of the driver’s seat. LIke the exterior, th cabin could do with a good clean; there are some muddy scuffs on the driver’s door and the carpets could do with a shampoo. Not sure if the driver’s lambs’ wool over-rug will survive…

The thick-set door arm rests are straight and firmly mounted, with those on all but the driver’s door remaining pretty clean. The thickly chromed switch gear is all present and correct and looks pretty good. However, the (beautifully) book-matched door capping is losing its lacquer in several places, and is cracked along the tops. The wood itself remains good and, like the veneers elsewhere in the car - including the steering wheel - retains a great colour and a deep, rich figuring.

Looking up, you’ll see that the sturdy leather-clad panel work of the cabin roof looks to be in good shape - and that the Alpine CD changer sits up there too.

The grandeur may have faded a little, but it is still a very pleasant space in which to spend your time on the road. And a thorough clean and polish of the spacious cabin could probably change someone’s opinion quite radically.

Opening the bonnet reveals a pretty sound looking engine bay. (The thick under-bonnet sound proofing remains intact). Though perhaps a little dull, most components and the big motor itself appear very healthy and serviceable. The V8 and its ancillaries are clean, showing no signs of leaks.

Suspension towers look strong, the bolts here and around the engine being are rust and crud free. Jubilee clips are similarly clean and the hoses they secure are crack free and appear quite supple. It’s a worman-like space; it may not impress a concours judge, but you get the distinct impression it has seen plenty of servicing.

The underneath of the car certainty looks weathered from its time on the road, but both the underside of the body as well as chassis and suspension components look basically robust. Undersealing looks similarly ‘sandblasted’ but pretty intact. There is a little surface rust along some leading edges but crossmembers and brackets look sound. The car has had all new brakes and attendant pipework.

Inner wheel arches (replaced) look clean and the sills pretty good - one small dent and the slight opening of a join on the off-side. The rear sills are actually fairly recent and appear solid. The undersides of the doors look to be rust free and the paint there good.

The Bentley rides on 17in wheels - nicer than the 16s. These look clean and corrosion and curb-scrape free. Tyres are good.

Although the Bentley doesn’t retain its service book, there is quite a sheaf of invoices that tell us that its owners were ready to pay for the car’s upkeep and well-being. Most prominent are a series from between 2006-2012, which show a general fettling ad minor refitting over the period. Much is suspension/steering related - a new rack, new brakes (2008) - these heavy cars do chew through their fair share of suspension consumables - and not so obviously consumables. The new rear sills also appear on one invoice.

As already said, owner Peter is no stranger to some pretty full-on restoration work himself - MG, Rover, Daimler - and, also as mentioned, replaced the wheel arches himself, with parts supplied from a main Rolls-Royce agent. He has also serviced the Bentley while in his care.

This is a very sound car that drives pretty much as it should. As we’ve already said, the thing it is in most urgent need of is a thorough wash and valeting. After that, the new owner will have to weigh any cosmetic jobs against the value of the car (if he/she isn’t to undertake them themselves).

Like so many cars of their period, Mulsannes/Silver Spirits are a little inconsistent in their right now, though there’s no doubt that their position will strengthen.

However, they could simply decide to leave the car just as it is - there’s something quite marvellous about mooching about in a faded old Bentley - it’s like going out in your comfiest clothes and favourite slippers.

To get that feeling, we think you will need to bid between £5,000 and £7,000 for this characterful old motor.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Cumbria; to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.