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Recently we featured a flagship Bentley in the Azure convertible, which was among the most expensive production cars money could buy. Today we have a look at the cheapest Bentley available – the Eight. Let’s check out the Bentley for poor people.
A simple look at the headline photo will have most readers considering the very similar Turbo R. That’s logical, as it’s the best known variation of Bentley’s singular sedan offering for the Eighties and most of the Nineties. Time for some model history.
The first “modern” square body Bentley debuted in 1980, with the Mulsanne. The range expanded in 1982 with the Mulsanne Turbo, and in 1984 Bentley reached below the basic Mulsanne with the Eight. By 1988 the base Mulsanne became the Mulsanne S, and the Mulsanne Turbo switched identities and was renamed Turbo R. In the Nineties there was a bit more model shuffling: The Eight went away, Mulsanne S became the Brooklands, and played entry-level for Turbo R. In 1997, the Turbo R became the Turbo RT with some further revisions, and the Brooklands faded away in favor of the all-new Arnage (overdue after some 17 years). The final Turbo RTs rolled out of the factory in 1998, as Bentley by Vickers became Bentley by Volkswagen. Let’s head back to Eight.
As an entry-level model, Bentley made some effort to distinguish the Eight from its more expensive brother. Primary among the changes were a mesh grille in place of the slats worn by the Mulsanne, as well as a lower level of power equipment. More of a corner carver than other offerings, the Eight also had a firmer suspension. Upon introduction, the Eight had a cloth interior, steel wheels, and a carburetor. That kept the price under £50,000 in the UK, which was important to portray its affordability to customers. Through 1985 there were no anti-lock brakes, and memory seats didn’t appear until 1987. Automatic ride leveling was added as a standard feature in 1990.
Throughout its run, the Eight used the most basic engine Bentley had available: the 6.75-liter Rolls-Royce V8. Most examples were equipped with a three-speed automatic, but at the last moment in 1992 the box was upgraded to a four-speed GM 4L80-E.
Finished with their entry-level pandering, 1993 saw Bentley’s sedan offerings pared down to the Brooklands and Turbo R. Though the Eight remained production for nine years, just 1,736 examples were hand-built at the Crewe factory. Today’s Rare Ride is sporty in red over grey hides, with contrast red piping. In excellent condition and with 68,000 miles, it asks $18,600.
[Images: seller]
A great Ace Of Base car. Ask the butler who owns one…..
Three speed auto – was that a GM 3-speed auto (THM350 or THM400)?
At least with less options there would be less things to break.
The THM400. It was used for decades by Bentley, Rolls, and Jaguar
Unsure, as sometimes these types of British cars used a 3AT ZF box. Jaguar did in the XJS at this time.
This Bentley is the TH400.
Jaguar used the TH400 behind the V12 from 1978-92, from 92-97 was the 4L80E, it was a Borg Warner Model 12 before 1978. Jaguar never used a 3 speed ZF, it was the BW model 65/66 from the middle 70’s onward behind the XK engine (6 cylinder) or the 4 speed ZF 4HP22/24 behind the AJ6/16 engine (roughly 1986-97, depending on market).
The Daimler DS420 limo also used the TH400 from 1980-92. That was the only pairing of the Jaguar 6 cylinder engine with the TH400.
Ferrari 400A and 412A also used the TH400, both paired with a V12 engine.
4L80e is a huge transmission that was used in the HD trucks backed by the 6.0L. I’m surprised the gear step layout worked out in a luxury car.
The 4L80E is basically a THM400 with overdrive added. The 3 speed was used in all kinds of Caddys and such through the years.
It worked well, it electronically controlled and I assume the shift points adapted for Jaguar and Rolls Royce. It’s not a GM controller in those applications.
Jaguar used it in the 1993-96 XJS V12, the XJ12 from 1993-97 and the supercharged XJR from 1995-97. The case is unique to Jaguar in this application, and actually unique to the 6.0 V12. It won’t fit an earlier 5.3 V12. It is a beast though!
I’m a big fan of the 80s and 90s Bentleys/RRs but I don’t think I’m a big enough fan to actually own one.
For 19 grand, I’d kind of be tempted.
But this one, from the same dealer, would tempt me more…
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bentley-Arnage-6-8-auto-Red-Label-superb-example/264653495907?hash=item3d9e93de63:g:OzMAAOSwTphd27dq
Now THAT is a car.
A 22 year old orange Bentley with right-hand drive, just what I never wanted
Good color combo though – at least for an Ohio State fan. ;-)
Yikes!
That interior makes an 88 Caprice or Crown Vic look upscale.
Really curious who the intended audience was, even in 1988, for a giant Bentley with wheel covers, manual climate sliders, and no overdrive. A mid-trim Ford Taurus with a couple option packages was better-equipped than this.
I think the strategy is referred to as “desperation”.
IMO the intended audience were the people viewing the car (more to the point, the badge) from the outside.
Got a head movie of this cruising da hood with dark window tint, slammed, gaudy rimz and blaring My Hooptie by Sir Mix A Lot.
Or a demo derby at the county fair.
I think I need help……
Lol, what did you just say?
Coffee before typing :)
I would love the Turbo R from this era, at least until I really had to do care and feeding of it.
The paint/interior combo here is truly awful in my eyes.