1975 Bentley T1
Just c.26,000 miles from new

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

• 1 of only 1,711 Bentley T1s produced between 1965 and 1977
• Finished in Scot's Pine over Luxan Light Green Connolly leather
• Just c.26,000 miles on the odometer with former long term ownership
• Bought from H&H at Buxton in 2023 and since taken to Monaco on tour
• Offered with large history file including Jack Barclay order form and current V5c document

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately, the vendor misread the brake fluid level on arriving at the auction and topped it up pressurised. This has resulted in the brake fluid spraying within the engine bay, please see photo's on the website.

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 Early cars employed the same GM automatic transmission as the S3, but this was superseded by the Turbo Hydramatic system from 1970 onwards.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. Only 1,711 Bentley T1s were ever sold, making this example a rare and more exciting proposition compared to a Silver Shadow.

1 of only 1,711 Bentley T1s produced between 1965 and 1977, chassis ‘SBH20478’ was manufactured in 1975 and supplied new to the home market via Jack Barclay Ltd., being first registered on 10^th 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 owner purchased the T1, then showing barely 16,000 miles, from Silver Lady Services in Bournemouth in June 2005 and used it sparingly. In his eighteen-year ownership the car enjoyed re-polished woodwork, replacement bumper ends and a new stainless-steel exhaust, being looked after by highly respected marque specialist Silver Chalice of Sheffield, with invoices and MOTs on file for this period.

Subsequently purchased by the vendor from H&H at Buxton in 2023, he has since taken the car to Monaco on a trouble-free European road trip along with his sons and enjoyed every minute of it. When not in use it has been stored in a heated, de-humidified garage under a bespoke cover (included in the sale). The Bentley is in much the same condition as when we offered it last albeit with 3,000 more miles accumulated. The Connolly leather is sumptuous and the wood is in excellent order due to the efforts of the previous long term owner. Finished in Scots Pine with Luxan Light Green Connolly leather, ‘KTW 554N’ has now covered just c.26,000 miles from new and is offered with a large history file including Jack Barclay order form and current Swansea V5c.

For more information, please contact:
Oliver Fernyhough-Martin
oliver.fernyhough-martin@handh.co.uk
07483 361000