Automotive Gallery

A square-cut, broad-shouldered design, the Bentley Mulsanne was styled in-house by Austrian-born Fritz Feller. Introduced at the 1980 Paris motorshow, it enjoyed notably greater road presence than its T2 predecessor as well as a 30 percent larger glass area. Thus, while it looked suitably imposing from the outside, internally it proved pleasantly airy. Although, based on the T2 floorpan, the Mulsanne offered considerable improvements in both ride and handling, thanks to its new Girling automatic ride height control and gas dampers. By combining copious amounts of sound deadening with the finest quality upholstery, Crewe's engineers kept intrusion from the 6.75-litre V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission to a muted hush (unless the model's reputed 120mph potential was fully explored). Just 482 Bentley Mulsanne Saloons are thought to have been made between 1980 and 1992, a mere 18 of which had the optional long wheelbase.

The 1985 LHD car offered is one of those 18 and therefore a very rare example. Finished in Royal Blue with magnolia leather upholstery (piped in blue), it previously formed part of HH The Emir of Qatar's household fleet. Apparently used for ferrying members of his family as well as other honoured guests, the Bentley is understood to have been armoured against gunfire and other threats by a specialist German firm. The vendor estimates that the cost of installing the extra protection measures (which include an oxygen system and siren) would equate to something like £400,000 today. The interior is suitably sumptuous with the leather headlining being offset by dark blue carpets, rich walnut veneers and picnic tables. The extensive specification includes: electric windows, mirrors and seats, air conditioning (complete with climate control) and cruise control. Sporting a blue everflex roof, the Mulsanne is believed to have covered less than 24,000 kilometres from new (circa 15,000 miles). Aside from some delamination to four of the windows, the vendor considers the Bentley to be in "very good overall" condition. Now UK road registered as 'K207 RGP' this imposing, low mileage Bentley is expected to have a new MOT by the time of the sale and represents a rare opportunity for anybody running a car hire company or security firm.

Image and description kindly supplied by H&H Classic Auctions