Currently Dismantling

Bentley Turbo R - FSD 789

Chassis: 46730

Fresh off the trailer — and by off, we mean gently coaxed downhill by two formerly young, once-strapping men — comes this 1993 Bentley Turbo R. It didn’t start, of course. But it rolled with the grace of a well-fed duke in a wheelbarrow, and that’s something.

Wearing what was once a single, proud shade of dark green, this Turbo R now boasts a dazzling array of four (possibly five) distinct hues — depending on the lighting and your level of optimism. The lacquer is peeling like last week’s sunburn, and the arches are bubbling away with the enthusiasm of a home-brew kit left unchecked. It’s the sort of paintwork that whispers, “I’ve seen things,” and we believe it.

Still, despite the patchy paint and bubbling arches, there’s a lot to like here. It’s got the proper RT wheels — those sought-after, chunky five-spokes that make any Turbo R look just a bit meaner, a bit more purposeful. And beneath the sun-faded, slightly crusty exterior lies the same 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 that made these cars legendary for turning premium unleaded into torque and presence in equal measure.

Inside? Well, we haven’t dared open the doors too wide yet, but there are glimpses of what once was a deeply luxurious cabin: rich wood veneers, acres of cream hide, and the faint scent of mildew and mild electrical trauma.

It’s the kind of car that reminds you Bentley once built machines for people who didn’t ask how much, and didn’t mind if it only did nine miles per gallon — as long as they were good miles.

We’ll be wheeling this one into the workshop shortly to see if there’s still some thunder left in that old V8. First, we’ll see if we can coax it back to life without needing a séance or a sacrificial Lucas relay. Then it’s on to a round of tests to determine its fate: will it ride again, or will it nobly donate its finer bits to keep other Bentleys breathing? Either way, it's far too interesting to ignore. Stay tuned.