Visual differences between 1990 Mulsanne and Turbo R

[PhillT]

Hi everyone. I wonder if you can help - I'm trying to identify a 1990 Bentley from a picture. Are there any visual differences between the Mulsanne and the Turbo R? The picture is below.

Thanks.

[Hugo a Gogo]

I'm no expert, but didn't the Turbo R have a painted grill surround?

[Balmoral Green]

There were three models available for the 1990MY, the Eight, the Mulsanne S and the Turbo R.

The car in the pic is a Mulsanne S.

Obviously a Corvette on the left, but what's that on the right? A Dodge Polara?

Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 19th April 19:20

[buyer&seller]

I think Balmoral Green is correct, it certainly looks like a Mulsanne from this angle. The standard seats on an Eight and Mulsanne are different to a Turbo R. Hugo's comment on the grille is also correct. The problem in identifing cars comes when factory options are fitted, like sports seats, and when the cars are changed after new. A number of Eight's had the mesh grill changed for the vertical veins and earlier cars had the twin headlight conversion done. I'm afraid it's not always straight forward.

[PhillT]

Managed to get hold of the owner - apparently it's a "1990 Bentley Eight Full Option".

[Balmoral Green]

With the mesh grille of the Eight swapped for a slatted grille of the Mulsanne S/Turbo R.

[andyh68]

Interesting choice of specification by the original owner. I'd guess that a fully optioned Eight with veined grille would have cost more than a Mulsanne S, and that would have been better optioned (I believe the veneers and leather were higher quality) from outset!

[andyh68]

By the way, I think a Turbo R can be identified by red "B" badges. But no doubt also specified by some Mulsanne S and Eight owners.

[buyer&seller]

I wish I had a fiver for everytime I heard the expression " fully loaded or full option ".

One of the first things on the option list for this car would have been sports seats which this doesn't have. It's impossible to tell from the picture what it may or may not have fitted.

At this time the factory would not make a car that appeared to look like a more expensive model, to protect those owners spending on higher spec cars. So changes to grilles, headlights etc would have been done by the dealer or the individual.

[great2cyou]

As somebody already mentioned - yuo can pick and choose what you like. Ther were (are) still fairly hand assembled.

Looks like it didn't geat mirrors in the rear quater panels though. That's a good sign that it's an eight.