Posted 10 years ago
puedeba2004
(2 items)
Last year I spotted this car, hidden in the back of a used car lot. It was love at first sight. I bought it on a whim, didn't have it checked out, just bought it on the spot. There isn't much of a market for 1980's Rolls and Benley cars. Although this model sold for nearly $200,000 when new I got it for a song. When I got it home I discovered it was purchased new in Paris by an American Billionaire, Gerald Perenchio -- a man who made his billions in the TV and recording industries. (his name was inscribed on a plate on the doorframe of the car). After examining the registration I realized I was the second owner. Although available in Europe, this model did not debut in America until 1989. The inside is beautiful white leather with a white leather headliner. The body is perfect. When I opened the trunk (or should I say "boot"?) I discovered a file folder with the invoices for all the recent work done on the car. To my amazement I learned that the previous owner had spent nearly $40,000 restoring the car before it came to me for low five figures. Among the changes he had made was the replacement of the engine with a Rolls engine with only 35,000 miles on it, new transmission, new rear end, new brake system, the addition of a $5,500 bluetooth audio system, the list goes on and on. Essentially, what he had done was turned this into a "like new" Bentley. Why he got rid of it, obviously for very little, I have no idea. I've driven it for a year (5 to 7 miles per gallon, Premium fuel -- Yikes!) and the only money I've spent on it was $350 for the addition of a "flying B" mascot. I believe the car weighs close to 6,000 pounds, but the engine is incredibly powerful and the car seems to run best at 80 or more miles per hour. In terms of city handling I describe it as similar to "driving a bathtub full of water." Although I live in Los Angeles, where Bentley and Rolls are common sights, this car is still a head-turner.
My new ride. :)