1995 Bentley Turbo S

Any Bentley Turbo makes for a majestic and surprisingly entertaining steer but the Turbo S is simply in another league. It’s faster, sportier and far more exclusive; in other words, everything you’d expect from a limited-edition model. This example is number 39 of just over 60 made. Certainly, that’s enough to qualify it for exclusive status, but when you consider it’s one of an even smaller pool of 29 made in right-hand drive, we’re approaching automotive unicorn territory here.

Sold in January 1995, this Turbo S must surely have been one of the first to reach its first Bentley-approved owner. Finished in Brooklands Green paint, this impressive machine still makes its presence known. The interior comes in a sumptuous blend of Sandstone with Spruce-piped hide and deep conifer carpets. A black hide steering wheel with dark-stained walnut woodwork completes the air of opulence befitting of this super Bentley. In the intervening quarter of a century between its first owner driving it out of its Mayfair dealership to the present day, this Turbo S has covered just 52,086 miles.

This slab-sided and imposing gentleman’s express benefits from a highly attractive red pinstripe that’s a suitably understated sporting flourish which compliments the additional (optional) exterior badging perfectly. The paint on the panels has a beautifully uniform finish and remains near blemish free. One very small chip can be seen under the front grille (bottom left-hand edge) and there’s a two-inch scratch that’s been touched up on the offside lower edge of the rear bumper. Other than these marks, the exterior seems to present in excellent condition.

The 17-inch wheels appear to have survived their 26 years with nothing more than the mildest of kerb rash. This is limited to some very light scuffs here and there to the extremities of the rims, but you really need to be looking to find them. The silver paint finish to the rims remains bright and, perhaps more importantly in a car with this level of performance, each is shod in matching Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres (dated 2017).

Elsewhere around this Bentley there’s the odd tiny imperfection but really it seems churlish to point them out. Though the nearside grille trim at the top of the bonnet (under the windscreen) does appear to have popped out – it likely just needs clipping back in.

The Turbo S was a highly specified model to begin with, but this one benefits still further from having quite a few additional option boxes ticked. There are grab handles front and rear, if you want to scare your passengers by flexing that big V8 (and why wouldn’t you?), fluted hide door cards, a windscreen top-shaded tint, roof-mounted R.T aerial (for a long-gone radio telephone), a passenger airbag and a fire extinguisher in the boot. In addition to these, there’s also a roll top to the centre-console stowage and, in wonderful Bentley parlance ‘rear three-quarter companions’… mirrors to you and me. More exciting still is the viscous-control differential that was a standard upgrade to all Turbo S models, but was an expensive £2,300 upgrade for the stock Turbo R.

The cabin in this Turbo S appears to have survived well. There’s just the odd sign of age here and there – some light cracking to the driver’s seat base and wear on the centre armrest. The driver’s side electric window didn’t want to move during our inspection and there’s a scuff to the offside rear passenger seat that’s lifted the dye in a small (centimetre long) patch. There are a few small stains to the offside-rear foot rest (another option) and the outer edge of the deep pile carpet (same side), where it meets the door kickplate. Generally, the opulence and quality of the cabin remains as Bentley intended.

The bonnet on this car could double as an emergency landing strip so it’s just as well there’s an inspection lamp (that still works) to aid observations into its extremities. The oily bits all look dry and in fine shape from our observations. The underside shows some light oil mist to the rear of the sump that’s likely evidence of a former breach in its seal, as opposed to an on-going issue. It’s far from excessive and it’s been here for a while judging by its dry appearance. It is an old Bentley after all, the chances of it remaining utterly fluid-filled for its whole life were pretty slim.

The underseal and general condition of the bottom of this Turbo S seem presentable and representative of an example that’s clearly been garaged for much of its life. There doesn’t appear to be any corrosion (beyond the usual light surface stuff) to worry about. An MOT in 2010 was the last to show any advisories and these were for lower than normal front suspension (cured in 2018) and some fluid leaking from the OSF brake caliper. There was no evidence of the latter that we could see and since that report, the last two MOTs have been advisory-free.

Supplied new to Bentley dealer Jack Barclay, this Turbo S returned to its Mayfair suppling dealer for all of its oil changes and regular care until 2008. There’s then a note in its history file that simply states ‘Hong Kong’. We’re guessing it went over there briefly as it remerges back in the UK in 2010, now under the custodianship of R-R and Bentley specialists Sliver Lady Services in Bournemouth. Despite covering just over 100 miles in the following eight years (yes, really), the car returns here for a further three services. The last of which, in 2018, saw its auxiliary belts replaced along with its front ‘springs’ plus a general health check.

Subject to a more thorough going-over in June 2019, this time by R-R & Bentley specialist N. Sandells of Middlesex, a few more underlying issues were uncovered. It was found that the brake accumulators were down on pressure, the rear gas ‘springs’ were failing, the radiator had a slight leak, the power steering belt was loose and the alternator suppressor wasn’t working. All of these defects were remedied by fitting new, or reconditioned replacements, and the car was then treated to a full service before being sent out the door.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

Not only does this rare Bentley seem to be in very fine order, but it’s got an awful lot going for it in collector circles too – as its not only one of a very limited number it represents the ultimate evolution of the old Turbo. Despite this, we think there’s still room for further growth. As the popularity of modern classics is currently in the ascendance, there’s an ever-wider audience for super saloons from this last great era of conscience-free performance motoring.

Add to the above the vast and comprehensive service history with all the invoices to back up the book – plus a sensible mileage that’s enough to keep things moving, but not too much to scare off big-budget buyers and this Bentley should do very well. Certainly, if we were in the market for a brawny Brit to take on the best the Germans can throw at us, then this Turbo S would be very high up our list of potential purchases. As a result, we’re confident it’ll sell for between £24,000 - £30,000.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.