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Bentley Mulsanne, standard saloon models

 

Bentley Mulsanne
Bentley Mulsanne S

Bentley Eight

Bentley Brooklands
Bentley Brooklands R

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Bentley Mulsanne
1980 - 1987



Number manufactured

482

First and last chassis number

First chassis number: SCBZS0000ACH01009 (1980).
Last chassis number: SCBZS0004HCX21999 (1987).

Dimensions, kerb weight, performance

These data are the same as the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, with exception of the length. The Silver Spirit has a length of 527 cm.

Length
width
height

531 cm; 532 cm for American cars
189 cm, 201 cm with mirrors
148 cm

Boot

0.35 m3

Wheel base
Track front/rear

306 cm
154/154 cm

Turning circle

11.7 m

Kerb weight

2245 kg; 2259 kg for American cars

Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h

10.2 seconds
10.6 seconds from 1987 VIN 20001 on

Top speed

119 mph, 192 km/h
126 mph, 202 km/h from VIN 20001 on

Characteristics and peculiarities

Backgrounds of this model
- The Bentley Mulsanne has the same specifications as the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit with exception of the badging and radiator grille. The model was launched at the same time.
- The name Mulsanne broke out the tradition to indicate the models with only one letter (Bentley R, S, T, between 1952 and 1980).
- The Bentley Mulsanne was not available on the American, Canadian and Japanese markets until model year 1981.
- From the beginning the Mulsanne was also available in a Long wheelbase edition, but that model was not sold in model year 1980.

Original characteristics
- The Mulsanne has the same engine and gear box as the Bentley T2: a 6750 cc V8 engine without turbo with a three speed automatic gear box (GM400) and carburetters (American and Japanese cars fuel injection). The maximum power is about 200 bhp at 3800 rpm (some sources mention 198,5 bhp).
- The Mulsanne has a radiator grille with vanes of polished stainless steel.
- The grille is 1 inch lower and 2,5 inch wider than the one of the Bentley T2. The material is polished stainless steel.
- A curved and deeper front bumper as a result of the deeper Bentley grille. The curved appearance of the front bumper added 1.6 inches to the car's overall length.
- Opposite to the Bentley T no winged B on the grille anymore, because it couldn't disappear in the radiator shell at impact. The winged B was loosely delivered.
- The bonnet of the Mulsanne has the same pressing as the one of the Silver Spirit. That was not the case for the Silver Shadow and Bentley T.
- The Mulsanne has rectangular head lamps with twin lamps.
- Until 1985 the head lamps were provided with a wash/wipe headlamps cleaning system.
- The back seats have a styling of two separate seats instead of a bench.
- From chassis number 20001 onwards (mid 1987) all cars have a fuel injection system. Until mid 1987 all cars have carburetters, except cars for the American and Japanese market (fuel injection).
- Until mid 1987 all cars have two spread exhaust pipes. From chassis number 20001 onwards (mid 1987) all cars have a single exhaust.
- The Mulsanne has mineral fluid (HSMO, also called LHM) in the hydraulic system.
- The floor pan is the same as the basic floor pan of the Bentley T2 LWB.

Model year 1981
- The Mulsanne was not available on the American, Canadian and Japanese markets until model year 1981. American models have separate twin rectangular sealed beam headlamps without cover. These lamps have no wash and wipe facility.
- American and Canadian models have energy absorbing bumpers (which make the car a bit longer), no airdam and no fog lamps.
- American, Canadian and Japanese cars had fuel injection.

Model year 1985
- The head lamp wipers are replaced by high pressure jet washers.
- Changes to the dashboard.

Model year 1986
- From 1980 up to and including 1985 the grille was ¼ inch higher than the bonnet. From model year 1986 they were level.
- From model year 1986 the Mulsanne gets new stainless steel wheel trims.
- The number plate is fitted on the bumper instead of below it.
- Standard with a cellphone housed within the front central arm rest.
- Australian cars are fitted with fuel injection.

Model year 1987, from number 20001 on
- Fuel injection as standard.
- Restyled seats with increased lateral support and fully-adjustable head restraints inside the passengers compartment. Electrical operation of the seat squab.
- Electric front seat adjustment, linked to an electronic memory device with four preferred positions for both driver and passenger; mirror positions are logged in the memory system.
- Bosch anti-locking brakes on all cars except for the NA market.
- Hard suspension, like the Turbo R.
- One-piece airdam.
- Changes to the dashboard and centre console.
- From number 20240 on in model year 1987 the Mulsanne was fitted with a catalyst, but could also be specified without it.

Production and chassis numbers

Identification of the model in the chassis number
The chassis number of a Bentley Mulsanne has:
- the letter B on the third position
- the letter S on the fifth position
- the combination 00 or 42 on the sixth and seventh position (until nr 16970)
- the combination 00 or 02 on the sixth and seventh position (from nr 20001)
- a number between 01001 and 21999.

Further details about the production and the chassis numbers
- The chassis numbers in the years 1980 up to and including 1989 are assigned in batches. Batches exist for the standard saloon models (Silver Spirit, Mulsanne), the long wheelbase models (Silver Spur, Bentley LWB), the turbo models (Mulsanne Turbo, Turbo R), the Bentley Eight, the convertibles (Corniche, Continental), the Camargues and the Phantoms VI.
- The Silver Spirit and the Bentley Mulsanne (Mulsanne S from 1988) without turbo have got mixed numbers within the same batches.
- In model year 1980 every Mulsanne had four noughts on the sixth up to and including the ninth position of the chassis number. This part of the number didn't get a correct value until model year 1981. That means also that the control digit (ninth position) in model year 1980 is not correct for sure.
- In model year 1980 no Bentley Mulsanne was built for the American, Canadian and Japanese markets. The production for these marketss started with model year 1981.
- The first cars from model year 1980 were destined for promotional purposes.

Series of numbers and unused numbers
- No number was assigned to a Bentley Mulsanne between 10111 and 12000, and between 16971 and 20000. Between 10111 and 10427 there are series of numbers that are assigned to other models (Corniche, Continental, Camargue, Phantom VI).

Numbers LHD / RHD

Left-hand drive

Right-hand drive

Model year

Number

% (p yr)

Number

% (p yr)

Total

1980

25

56%

20

44%

45

1981

28

24%

88

76%

116

1982

16

29%

39

71%

55

1983

5

22%

18

78%

23

1984

13

39%

20

61%

33

1985

15

47%

17

53%

32

1986

48

43%

64

57%

112

1987

30

45%

36

55%

66

Total

180

37%

302

63%

482



Bentley Mulsanne, model year 1980, press photos
(picture above and pictures below).






Bentley Mulsanne, with American headlamps
model year 1985, press photos (below).










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