1975 Bentley T1
Only 23,000 miles from new

Registration No: KTW 554N
Chassis No: SBH20478
MOT: Exempt

• A mere 23,000 miles from new
• Current (fifth) ownership since 2005, with the T1 having covered some 16,000 miles when bought
• Looked after by a highly respected marque specialist Silver Chalice of Sheffield during the vendor’s ownership
• 1 of only 1,711 Bentley T1s produced

By 1965, Rolls-Royce was well-practised in the art of badge engineering and, while the new T Series Bentley was aimed at the world's many devotees of the 'Flying B' logo, it was essentially a re-badged version of the Silver Shadow. Its arrival was none too soon however and, together with the Shadow, did much to reverse the notion that Rolls-Royce was falling behind the times. It certainly resulted in many firsts for the company, including unitary construction rather than separate body/chassis units, disc rather than drum brakes and independent rear suspension. Though 7in shorter and 3.5in narrower than the Bentley S3 it replaced, the John Polwhele Blatchley-penned T1 nevertheless possessed greater space for both luggage and passengers and boasted far more contemporary looks.

At launch, it was powered by a 172bhp V8 engine of 6230cc, though this was enlarged to 6750cc during 1970. Early cars employed the same GM automatic transmission as the S3, but this was superseded by the Turbo Hydramatic system from 1970 onwards. The car's famed 'magic carpet ride was achieved courtesy of a high-pressure hydraulic system licensed from Citroen. Initially, it featured self-levelling at both ends, but this was deleted from the front in 1969. 1 of only 1,711 Bentley T1s were sold, which makes this example a much rarer and more exciting proposition.

Chassis ‘SBH20478’ was manufactured in 1975 and was supplied new to the home market via Jack Barclay Ltd., being registered new on the 10^th of March that year. Originally registered ‘TES 394’ to the first owner, who lived near Coupar Angus in the Scottish Highlands, the second owner was P&A Wood (although copy contemporary DVLA documentation features, intriguingly, a related reference to Daks Simpson, Jermyn Street, London). Passing through two further keepers, one understood to have been a Bentley Drivers Club member, the fifth (current) owner purchased the T1, then showing barely 16,000 miles, from Silver Lady Services in Bournemouth in June 2005 and has used the Bentley sparingly since. Finished in Scots Pine Green paintwork with complementary Green leather interior upholstery and carpeting, ‘KTW 554N’ has now covered just 23,194 miles from new (at the time of consignment).

In the vendor's eighteen-year ownership, the T1 has enjoyed re-polished woodwork, fitting of replacement bumper ends, and a new stainless-steel exhaust. Offered with stamped service history from before and at the start of the vendor's ownership, ‘SBH20478’ has been looked after by highly respected marque specialist Silver Chalice of Sheffield during the vendor’s ownership, with invoices and MOTs on file for this period. Recently driven by the vendor over 280 miles from Scotland to the midlands in preparation for the auction, without incident. Rated as ‘very good’ by the vendor in regards to bodywork and paintwork, the vendor summarises the engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, and interior trim to be ‘excellent’.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452