CALIFORNIACLASSIX Magnificent 1988 Bentley Mulsanne S {67 Photos}

Dom Perignon for Bud Money: 1988 Bentley Mulsanne S!

For those lucky ones who can afford the finest things in life without consideration of cost, Bentley has always been a preferred choice when it comes to personal transportation. Sure, top-of-the-line Mercedes or Lexus will get you to your destination in utter comfort as well, ut until you have enjoyed the same trip inside a Bentley, ou won't really be able to appreciate why it costs several times as much as the more pedestrian offererings.

On the downside, epreciation is much higher on a luxury automobile than a popular econobox, fact that doesn't give people of means any sleepless nights, et can be used to our personal advantage by the rest of us regular folks, ho have to work for a living.

Sold new for the equivalent of a California beach condo, barely broken in Bentley at the lowest point of its depreciation curve can be bought for less than 10% of its sticker price, as still virtually all of the cache of a new one, nd will appreciate as you enjoy owning and driving it. How's that for value?

Such a car is the Bentley Mulsanne S prominently presented here, IN *SCBZS02B8JCX24053*. Built during April of 1988, t is one of only 909 such cars manufactured during the model's six-year life span, s now 27 years old, eatures low miles, n impeccable service history, et still looks contemporary and will make any valet get out of their chair faster than Donald Trump yelling across the parking lot "you're fired!"

A California resident from new, X24053 was sold new on June 5, 988 at posh Newport Auto Center in Newport Beach, alif. to a local tycoon. Its stamped service booklet shows that the 30,000 mile service was performed on March 10, 996 at Nesen Motor Car Co in Thousand Oaks, alif. The car's second owner was a well-known interior designer from affluent Montecito, alif., ho purchased the car in 2001, hen the odometer reading was recorded as 50,219 miles. Quite obviously, he car was always driven sparingly, ust 2,500 miles annually, n average, s the odometer reads a mere 67,617 miles today.

Books and records, he latter pertaining to a car's service history, re very important for any collector car, ut paramount for a high-end car like this Bentley. This fine specimen comes with everything you could wish for:

• Qwner's Handbook
• Owner's Handbook supplement
• Stamped Service book
• Warranty folder
• Customer Satisfaction Guide
• Consumer information booklet
• Emission warranty booklet
• Audio Equipment manual
• Roadside Assistance booklet and card
• Bentley quick guide and writing pad
• Sales & Service Registry
• Complimentary cassette cleaning tape
• 18 recent invoices for parts and maintenance, otalling $4,103.00

Having lived a sheltered life in a climate controlled environment, his Bentley has never suffered from any kind of corrosion, or has it ever been damaged in any way. It's virginal, traight as an arrow, ith perfect gaps and shut lines throughout, o a standard that has never been matched.

The car runs on its original, hromed alloys, hod with brand spankin' new, op-of-the-line VOGUE Wide Track Touring tyres of the correct dimension 235/70-15, hat have cost us an arm, leg, nd a pint of blood.

A very distinguished color, his Bentley's Graphite finish is perfectly preserved. Only some miniscule rock chips and blems, ainly below the front bumper, ive testimony that this is not a new paint job.

Resting under a sanitary bonnet is Bentley's very own 6.75-liter (411.9 cu.in.) Vee Eight engine, uilt one by one at the rate of three to four total each week, ith a single builder assembling each unit. It comes together like a Formula 1 engine, n a static-free work bay where the builder selects tools and parts from a cart, nd should need nothing but regular maintenance for many hundreds of thousands of miles to come. The car had been serviced for many years by Santa Barbara's premier independent Rolls Royce/Bentley shop, uller & Goss. All it needed at the time of our purchase was to replace the leaky rear gas shocks ("spheres"), hich we promptly did. The hydraulic suspension and brake system now operates 100% perfect.

This particular engine is healthy like a new one. It starts on the button, nd thanks to German Bosch fuel injection immediately falls into an almost inaudible, ellow idle. It doesn't hesitate, oesn't smoke, eak fluids, r display any untoward behavior of any kind, et silently propels the luxury sedan to an advertised top speed of 121 miles per hour.

Only the finest materials have been used to create this bespoke interior, orthy of a King and nothing short of breathtaking. Time has just added character to it and even 27 years have not in the least diminished its impact on the first-time passenger. The experience commences with a dose of the unmistakable CONNOLLY aroma, ontinues with the tactile pleasures only the finest bovine hides can afford, nd ends with the visual confirmation that virtually all interior surfaces are covered with the coveted material, eaturing a most pleasing Slate Grey color.

Fabulous dark walnut wood trim is truly flawless. Factory-installed sound system with automatic power antenna delivers excellent aural pleasures. This Bentley has never been smoked in; ash receivers and lighters are unused!

All lights, witches, nd gauges work, ven the cruise control, ap light, nd VDO clock.

Grey WILTON wool headliner appears flawless.

CONNOLLY leather and Rolls Royce are almost synonymous. The grey hides are hand-selected and perfectly vat-dyed.

The rear passenger compartment is a very nice place to be, ndeed! Spacious, et cozy and somehow removed from the world's hubris, he rear cabin features dual burlwood-framed vanity mirrors and reading lamps, s well as the traditional foot rests.

A very expensive --$5,000.00 -- option when new were the dual, olding picnic tables.

Before heading out on the open road, et's take a quick peek into the car's luggage compartment.

The cavernous trunk is fully carpeted with leather-bound WILTON. Battery hides in special compartment on the right, s do the spare mineral oil bottles.

Jacking equipment and tools as well as the foldable warning triangle are concealed in a "smuggler's box" below the package shelf.

Factory tool box for "small tools" is complete and unused.

Bentley's clean undercarriage has that typical, ery busy appearance. There are no annoying fluid leaks to report. Having always been cared for properly, egardless of cost, nd garaged most likely every night of its life, he car has never suffered from any corrosion woes, testament perhaps to its super-solid construction and aptly applied, actory rust protection.

Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)

Above photos show the undercarriage in more detail.

Finally on an extended test drive, eading us to beautiful Ojai backcountry roads and back to our favorite neighborhood Hobson Heights, e quickly learn that driving this Mulsanne S is a majestic experience, ncomparably dignified, ne that touches all senses and greatly contributes to your and your passengers' well-being.

The car glides along like a swan atop a glass lake. It is as silent as Canterbury Cathedral's narthex at dawn, nd smoother than a silk kerchief.

You can't help but inhale the intoxicating aroma of real CONNOLLY hides, arvel at the scintillating aura of finely-polished wood, nd feel soft WILTON carpeting below the soles of your feet. Everything within reach was hand-crafted from the best there is, egardless of cost. Building the most sensuous car in the World was Bentley's secret.

It's good to own The Best, specially when it carries a rather pedestrian price tag. Imagine shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, aying WalMart prices! If you believe in the old adage "buy the best car you can afford," your search may be over.

Everything is right about this truly royal carriage: bespoke colors and equipment, riginality and provenance, ileage and condition. A combination of attractive traits that makes this car all the more attractive.

You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura, y appointment, uring the auction, r have someone inspect it for you. Please, erform your due diligence before you bid. Please, ote that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at (805) 653-5551.

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