For sale: 1997 R Sedan Turbo Bentley
Specifications
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242 GT vehicle data plate - VIN / Chassis number:
An aluminium vehicle data plate is fitted (with 4 rivets) to the inner right mudguard (under the hood, on the outer side of the front right shock tower). The VIN / Chassis number is embossed on the data plate in the top left (next to it is the text "Chassi Nr"). The chassis number / VIN for the 242 GT in most markets is 12 characters long, and is presented in the following format:
2428 M 1 1#####
The 242 GT VIN / chassis number is broken down as follows:
SECTION 1 - BODY TYPE: 2428 M 1 1#####
The "242" identifies that the car is a 240 series Volvo, with 2 doors.
SECTION 2 - ENGINE TYPE: 2428 M 1 1#####
The "8" following the 242 reflects the B23 (2.3) engine. In very early cars, and all north american market cars, the code is either "44" or "45", being the B21E and B21F 2.1l engines respectively.
SECTION 3 - BUILD YEAR: 2428 M 1 1#####
The "M" (the 5th digit in the code) represents the year the car was built (L = 1978; M = 1979; A = 1980; B = 1981).
SECTION 4 - PRODUCTION PLANT: 2428 M 1 1#####
The code "1" confirms the 242 GT was built in the Torlanda (Gothenburg) plant in Sweden.
SECTION 5 - UNIQUE VIN/CHASSIS #: 2428 M 1 1#####
This is the chassis/VIN number unique to the individual vehicle.
North American VIN codes:
The USA and Canadadian cars had the same 12 characters / structure as all other markets, but their VIN was preceded by the letters "VC" .
Eg. VC 2428 M 1 1#####
The VIN on US 242 GT is not only embossed on the data plate (as described above), it is also printed on top of the driver side dashboard (visible through the front windscreen). We have included an example for reference in the image gallery.
Australian compliance plate:
Australian market cars also had their own compliance data plate (confirming the various Australian standards that cars met). This plate is riveted (with two rivers) to the front of the left shock tower (under the hood). An example of an Australian compliance plate applied to a 242 GT is shown in the image gallery.
Vehicle location
United Kingdom , England , London
This beautiful example of a late model Turbo R was advertised through Classic Trader in January 2023. The car is a great example of the final production year of the Turbo Rs (excluding the "RT" variant), before the Arnage renewed range took over. I don't know much about these later model Turbo Rs, but would assume they are quite a different car to those of the 80s.
At the time this Turbo R was offered, it was asking GBP 24,950. Originally offered for sale through "Ranmore" UK, who noted that the car had been fully serviced by them since 2006. Out of the 7,230 Turbo Rs built, this would have to be one of the best picks.
See the original listing on https://www.classic-trader.com/