1998 Bentley Brooklands R Mulliner

“ One of the most desirable limited editions from Crewe, with equally desirable special features. ”
Long-term ownership and a very good service history.

Background
The Bentley Brooklands replaced the venerable Mulsanne S and Eight models in 1992. Powered by the same 6.75-litre V8 petrol engine and four-speed automatic gearbox, the Brooklands had a top speed of almost 135mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of 9.3 seconds, both of which are hugely impressive given the car’s 2,430kgs kerbweight.

But the Bentley was, like previous models, more about how the car went about its business rather than being a Top Trumps-winning hand, and the Brooklands is awash with leather, burr walnut veneer, and some of the most lustrous chromework in the business.

And yet, for all that, the Bentley has always been the marque of choice for the enthusiastic owner; while plutocrats and oligarchs conducted their business from the back seat of a Rolls-Royce, cads, racing drivers, and self-made men piloted a Bentley.

So, if hard ‘n’ fast is your thing and you like your steaks served rare the Bentley will find a place in your heart and garage – and if it doesn’t, then we understand that the Toyota Prius is impressively economical, and a vegan diet has much to recommend it…

Overview
A 1998 Bentley Brookland R Mulliner, ‘S881 ASX’ is also one of the rare SZ models, one of just 100 built to mark the end of the model’s run before the Arnage replaced it later in the year.

The SZ received Mulliner touches including a colour-coded radiator grille, door mirrors, wing vents, bumpers, and headlamp bezels. Chrome mesh grilles and air intakes, including to the front wings, livened up the front end, the badges were green, and the wheels, unique to the R Mulliner, were now 18-inch in diameter.

The cabin received a darker stain to the extended walnut veneer, chrome instruments bezels, a chrome ‘n’ leather gearknob, and the Bentley logo embroidered on the headrests.

As a Brooklands R it also has the Turbo R’s suspension, along with a light-pressure turbocharger that brought the power to an even 300bhp.

This is, therefore, the ultimate Bentley Brooklands.

Exterior
The combination of British Racing Green, quadruple headlights, and chromed mesh grilles make for one of the most iconic visages in British automotive history. Timeless and elegant with just a hint of brute force, the effect is of a car that doesn’t feel the need to wield its power very often – but you’d better stand back when it does.

It is every inch a Bentley – and it’s still every inch the aristocrat because vulnerable areas, like the four corners of the bumpers, are free of scuffs and scrapes which suggests above-average driving skill given the absence of parking sensors.

But then the quality of its curation is also evident on the 18-inch alloy wheels, which are largely free of kerbing marks, with only modest scratches to the nearside front.

Even the green badges, including those in the centre of the alloy wheels, are in good order.

The headlamps glow with a warm, soft light; no one is going to flash you for having overbright LEDs while you’re wafting around the lanes after dark in this.

The side profile is no less impressive: Its length hints at the luxury within, while the chrome mesh vents and mm-perfect stance whispers performance. Pirelli P-Zero tyres are fitted too, and in a suitably wide and low 255/50ZR18 size. Made in 2019, all have plenty of tread left.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The rear view is dominated by a huge exhaust tailpipe. Just the one mind, because Bentley, unlike some manufacturers we could mention, is secure enough that it doesn’t need to fit a medley of pipes…

As for flaws, our Man With the Magnifying Glass identified the following: A stonechip near the offside headlamp; rust and scratches to the nearside front wing and underneath the boot badge; peeling paint to the nearside door mirror and nearside sill; a scuff to the offside door mirror; and a small dent to the nearside front door underneath the door handle and another on the offside front door under the mirror.

Estimate: £15,000 - £18,000

View the car and current bid price HERE