1998 BENTLEY TURBO RT OLYMPIAN

This Bentley Turbo RT is a rare sporting saloon, understood to be one of only four examples of the ‘Olympian’ model built. Under the bonnet is the turbocharged 400bhp 6.75-litre V8, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The odometer indicates 71,361 miles.

Common features of the specially commissioned Olympian model included the smaller ‘Hooper’ style rear window, bespoke Dark Grainy Blue leather with St James Red piping, and burr walnut veneer with no crossbanding. While it is thought that this car initially left the factory finished in Twilight Blue, it is understood to have been changed to the current Graphite hue during the first ownership – and it is believed that the car was sent back to the factory for this work to be carried out.

First registered in August 1998, there are four previous keepers on the V5C. The vendor has owned the car for nearly four years.

The bodywork of this long-wheelbase Turbo RT presents in very good order, with no known damage to any of the panels. The colour change is believed to be a factory job, and the finish still looks smart. The vendor notes a small scuff on the offside corner of the front bumper, some minor stone chips that should be apparent in the photos, and bubbling in the paint behind the offside front mud flap. The body trims and light lenses appear to be in good condition, though one of the rubber wheel arch protectors is perishing. It is assumed that the ‘Olympian’ boot badge may have been replaced with a ‘Mulliner’ item when the colour was changed.

In the cabin, the bespoke Dark Grainy Blue leather upholstery is in good condition considering its age, with some wear and creasing to the driver’s seat in particular, but overall presenting with a handsome patina. The steering wheel, door panels and dashboard top are all trimmed to match, while there are extensive walnut veneers throughout. There are no known electrical faults.

The last scheduled maintenance was carried out in April 2020 at 71,076 miles by Bentley specialist Ghost Motor Works. This included replacement of the cylinder head gaskets and exhaust manifold gaskets, new exhaust lock tabs, a new ram pipe to the head joints and plenum joints, water bypass joints and new o-rings, and replacement of the rocker cover gaskets. The engine oil, oil filter, spark plugs, antifreeze, and HT ignition leads were also changed, along with the mineral oil. During the vendor’s ownership, around £20,000 has been spent on servicing and maintenance.

Prior to this, in September 2017, Ghost Motor Works carried out a significant 24,000-mile interval service, with new oil and air filters, spark plugs, replacement of the front seat ECUs, and a new steering column. In December 2015, the fuel injector relay, offside rear spring cup, and all of the brake discs and pads were replaced by Bentley specialist N Sandell.

The most recent MOT test was on 14 April 2021 at 71,361 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories after the number plates were correctly displayed, the parking brake was attended to, and the offside rear tyre was renewed.

Accompanying the car is the original handbook, plus various service history paperwork, the original sales receipt, and the Bentley toolkit.

This Bentley Turbo RT Olympian is a rare British sports saloon, which presents in very good order. Even a standard Turbo RT with its uprated 400bhp engine is a lesser-seen modern classic, but this bespoke Olympian model is understood to be one of only four such cars. With its ‘Hooper’ rear window, sumptuous interior, and retro front and rear car phones, this is a luxurious tourer in the true Bentley tradition, and would make a smart addition to any collection.

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Please note: the cherished plate shown on the vehicle is not included in the sale. It will be switched back to an age-related registration plate in the event of a successful auction.