When Alban Hoti purchased his imposing-looking Turbo R he had a particular plan in mind: to make it something Bruce Wayne would be proud to drive around Gotham City. Batman himself would surely have approved of the renovation job the Club’s only Kosovo-based Member has carried out on his 1991 model, a polished blend of the old with the new. Automotive entrepreneur Alban’s striking V8-engined machine certainly cut a dash in the car park when he traveled 1,600 miles, together with his young family, from the Eastern European state for Talks Day at the Clubhouse in early April.
“The idea [behind the renovation] was to merge the old with the new, and make the car look more updated and modern while still preserving the masculine Bentley look,” explained Alban, who was born and raised in Kosovo, and now lives in the city of Gjakova. “I think it was a great success,” he declared. “Everyone seems to love the colour combination both outside and inside – it gives the car a Bruce Wayne [Batman] or a Gotham look, which is pretty awesome!” Alban, a member of the Rolls- Royce Owners’ Club in the US for 10 years before also joining the BDC in February this year, purchased the Turbo R in a New York church parking lot four years ago. His love of Bentleys was already well established having previously owned a Brooklands, Continental GTC, Arnage, Azure, and a Flying Spur. “I do like Bentleys, specifically the way they sound, drive and handle. It’s a real driver’s car,” enthused Alban. “The first time I saw a Turbo R was in 2007. I didn’t know much about this particular model but I loved the interior and exterior, and the way the seats were designed. It looked very sporty and luxurious at the same time.”
Alban’s new purchase required quite a bit of work to bring it up to the standard it is today: restoration of its body and paintwork, refinishing of the internal trim, upgraded suspension, various mechanical improvements and new tyres. Externally, the previous Balmoral green bodywork was replaced with an unusual Nardo grey paint job, including new colour co-ordinated and modified bumpers and door mirrors. This was complemented, in contrasting high-gloss black, by the (previously chrome) door handles and locks; the stock wheels received the black treatment, too. And adding to the somewhat stark look were darkened windows and front/rear light fittings.
Inside, Alban was keen to retain as much of its originality as possible, including the eye-catching red leather seats and trim; however, he did remove the wood trim and fit a repainted dash, in piano black to match the external trim. So, with all the renovation work now complete, what has been the public reaction to the new look of the 140mph beast? Alban confessed he was extremely concerned what Bentley purists would think; indeed, many may consider it a ‘Marmite machine’. “The response has been surprisingly good and I am truly grateful,” revealed a relieved Alban. “Everyone seems to love the way it looks and everywhere it goes it gets a lot of attention. My wife Sasha, and kids Bekim, Fisnik and Delvina enjoy it very much – in fact, my boys and girls fight over the possession of the car!” It’s also a car that sits at the very heart of the Hoti clan’s life, insisted Alban, who until recently lived with his family in North America. “The best part of owning this car is that every time we travel in it we experience and relive our times of being in Manhattan or South Beach in Miami, and now England and all around Europe including Kosovo,” he said. “The car helps us build family memories – it has never left me stranded and is just great.”
Indeed, the Turbo R is pretty much Alban’s daily driver these days, used for the school run, errands and to attend business meetings. It’s also pressed into action for family trips around the Balkans and the wider European area. One excursion the family has made, as mentioned earlier, was to the BDC Clubhouse for Talks Day recently. Alban is delighted to have now joined the Club’s ranks: “A dear friend suggested I should join and it’s been a great experience. The Club has a great camaraderie – I have met some lovely people, and have enjoyed conversations with Members and seeing their beautiful cars.” The Turbo R is a “great, great pleasure” to drive, raved Alban. “It feels really well built and very stable. And having the opportunity to drive it in the mountains and hills of the US has been an amazing experience. “I haven’t really shown it off at car shows in order to win awards and although it’s not a ‘100-pointer’, it still looks good; however, for meit’s more important to treat it as a well used driving car.” Kosovo currently has strict laws restricting the importing of vehicles over 10 years old; however, with classic cars afforded some leeway on these rules, Alban is currently running his Turbo R on US registration plates while it fully qualifies for Kosovan registration.
Thank you to the Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) for giving us kind permission to use this article on our website.
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