Weekend Edition – A 1988 Bentley Turbo R, now classified as an Antique!

Jim Brennan

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This weekend, I’m bringing you a series of posts about cars from 1988, which are now classified as antiques according to the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). Cars and Trucks from the 1988 model year are now 25 years old (just shoot me please…) and can now participate in AACA Shows and events, right next to the other antiques like Packard and Pierce Arrow. I am also performing an expirement this weekend, in which I am trying to produce content using an I-Pad, since my laptop burst into flames yesterday (and it ain’t easy trying to write on an I-Pad) so enjoy…

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The Bentley Mark is assured at becoming a collectible when it ages, and while the 1988 model year Bentley is rather forgettable in the styling department (at least compared to the current models) this particular Bentley is a desirable Turbo R model.

The dealer listing this Bentley states that the mileage, which reads 30,878 is accurate, and that the service history of this car is up to date. This is a one owner car, has never been smoked in, and includes all the manuals. Graphite is not a color I would expect on a car like this, but what the hell do I know.

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The starting bid is $16,000, with a Buy-it-Now pricetag of almost $24,000. Original list on this Bentley was approaching the $100,000 threshold, so this might be a great buy, or not. Tell me what you think of this car after taking a look at the listing here: [sc:ebay itemid=”261154171655″ linktext=”1988 Bentley Eight Turbo-R” ]

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Jim Brennan

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28 responses to “Weekend Edition – A 1988 Bentley Turbo R, now classified as an Antique!”

  1. petegaines Avatar
    petegaines

    And if the radio craps out, you can just switch it with a good unit from an '88 Park Avenue!

    Reply
    1. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      I'm not too worried about that Delco radio. The rest of the car's electronics, though…

      Reply
      1. RichardKopf Avatar
        RichardKopf

        That just looks so out of place.

        Reply
        1. dukeisduke Avatar
          dukeisduke

          The Delco radio really cheapens the interior, and I'm not crazy about the black seat belts, either. And what's up with the wood around the seat controls?

          Reply
        2. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
          Rust-MyEnemy

          I concur. A gramophone would be far more appropriate.

          Reply
      2. Jay_Ramey Avatar
        Jay_Ramey

        Electronics? In THIS? : )

        Reply
  2. Maxichamp Avatar
    Maxichamp

    I went to an independent Bentley/Rolls shop recently to ask about Turbo Rs. The owner said it's worth it to pay an extra $10,000 to $20,000 for a meticulously maintained one. Don't even try to save a few bucks on the purchase price. Sounded ominous.
    But yeah, this is definitely a sedan I covet. It starred in Less Than Zero and I've been in love with it ever since. I'll take mine in red please.

    Reply
    1. Jay_Ramey Avatar
      Jay_Ramey

      Wouldn't you rather get a beater Arnage though? There are plenty in FL with mildewed leather and fogged up headlights.
      These (all 22 derivatives of the Silver Spirit) have been nearing full depreciation, and yet they can be found in every condition possible, with corresponding asking prices starting in the mid four figures, to the low six figures.
      I still haven't seen a Bentley Eight stateside. You know, the poverty-spec versions of these.

      Reply
      1. Maxichamp Avatar
        Maxichamp

        The Arnage is too rounded for me. I like mine with sharp edges.
        Did the Eight ever make it Stateside?
        I saw a special Silver Spirit version in Texas at the GP. One of like two dozen ever made. It had hood scoops and side vents everywhere.

        Reply
        1. Jay_Ramey Avatar
          Jay_Ramey

          Some sources say the Eight was for sale here…..but I would have thought I would have seen one by now. I don't think it was offered here for all years, so it may only be realistically findable in RR and Bentley-heavy areas.

          Reply
          1. OA5599 Avatar
            OA5599

            This one is an Eight, according to the picture of the door tag and the CarFax description.
            http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx…

          2. Maxichamp Avatar
            Maxichamp

            Jay, off topic, RAF factory:
            http://www.rawcar.com/2012_raf/2012_raf.htm
            Be sure to check page 2 as well. Cheers!

          3. Jim Brennan Avatar
            Jim Brennan

            You should do a write-up of this… would make a great Truck Thursday Piece…

          4. Maxichamp Avatar
            Maxichamp

            You wanna do this one, Jay? I know how you love Soviet iron. (See below.)

    2. dwegmull Avatar
      dwegmull

      Would they take your Pheaton as a trade in?

      Reply
      1. Maxichamp Avatar
        Maxichamp

        I asked if they would work on my VW since they fix Flying Spurs. The owner didn't dignify that question with an answer.

        Reply
  3. buzzboy7 Avatar
    buzzboy7

    "Forgettable in the styling department"
    Wha?! Just a beautiful big sedan. So chunky and slab sided. I adore it.

    Reply
    1. Rover1 Avatar
      Rover1

      They look better with the quad round 7 inch headlights of the later models, still that's an easy change.

      Reply
      1. guest Avatar
        guest

        Shouldn't this one also have the vertical bladed grill instead of the mesh?

        Reply
        1. Metric Wrench Avatar
          Metric Wrench

          The mesh grill is a popular upgrade, meant to make it look like newer models (despite the headlights). Crazy money. You could fly cross the pond, buy one of these, take a week long holiday, and ship it home for under the starting bid.

          Reply
        2. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
          Rust-MyEnemy

          I have the feeling that the mesh grille is a Turbo R exclusive. I may be wrong, though. I don't really move in Bentley circles.

          Reply
          1. Van_Sarockin Avatar
            Van_Sarockin

            They don't really move in circles either. The closest they come is Brooklands.

      2. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
        Rust-MyEnemy

        Or even better, the euro-spec single rectangle lamps.

        Reply
  4. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    Photos don't do justice to the scale of these things, they're just enormous. Last of the locomotives.

    Reply
  5. C³-Cool Cadillac Cat Avatar
    C³-Cool Cadillac Cat

    While I still want, very much, a Turbo R…I'd purchase it only if I can also purchase fuel at the model year's cost.
    I.e., 1988 gasoline prices.
    A fleet of 30 of these could support OPEC, by themselves.
    Still want one.

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      I want a Turbo R, too. Fuel cost doesn't scare me too much, since I'm used to driving guzzlers and don't log too many miles on an annual basis. Maintenance and repair costs are my big fear. I'm pretty sure these don't fill the local self-serve junkyards.

      Reply
  6. C³-Cool Cadillac Cat Avatar
    C³-Cool Cadillac Cat

    Yeah, if I had a shorter commute, which is currently 30 miles, I'd not mind it as much. I've owned multiple 8-10 MPG vehicles in the past, so it'd not be a shock.
    This kinda calls to me, though, if for nothing else, just to take a look-see. I'm not a fan of the exterior color, though.
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/3379746624.h…

    Reply
  7. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    Weren't these "Antique" when they were sold brand new back in 1988?

    Reply