The world’s oldest Bentley T-Series, meticulously restored after decades, returns to Crewe, showcasing the brand’s commitment to heritage.
In a triumphant homecoming nearly six decades in the making, the world’s oldest Bentley T-Series has returned to its birthplace in Crewe, England.
This 1965 Shell Grey saloon, identified by the distinguished chassis number SBH1001, has been meticulously restored over a period of 18 months. This process has revitalized an essential part of Bentley’s rich automotive history.
The Bentley T-Series: History Uncovered
This Bentley T-Series embarked on its journey on September 28, 1965, when it was initially registered as a company “test car.” Its importance in Bentley’s history is immense as it was the first T-Series to come off the production line. This marked a new phase for the luxury car manufacturer with its innovative monocoque construction.
Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, Mike Sayer, shares the moment when they discovered the T-Series: “It’s one of the last two pieces needed to complete our revitalized Heritage Collection. Our Chief Communications Officer, Wayne Bruce, and myself, literally stumbled upon it under a tarpaulin at the back of a warehouse. Considering it was the first chassis of the series, we realized we had to preserve it.”
This automotive gem remained untouched for years, tucked away in storage as a non-functional unit. Time had left its mark, causing the Bentley T-Series to lose critical parts, including its complete interior.
However, its position as the first T-Series – and consequently, the initial one among its Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow equivalents – made it an unbeatable choice for restoration.
Restoring the Bentley T-Series: A Monumental Challenge
The decision to bring this historic Bentley T-Series back to life was not taken lightly. The restoration team, led by the renowned Bentley specialists at P&A Wood, faced a daunting task. Their mission: to preserve as much of the original car as possible while returning it to full working order.
The project was spearheaded by Louise Wood, the daughter of Andrew Wood, co-founder of P&A Wood. Dave Lowe, who has 23 years of experience with P&A Wood and served as the bodywork director for this task, assisted her.
Mechanical Marvels of the Bentley T-Series
After their first evaluation, the team was happily surprised to discover that critical parts of the Bentley T-Series drivetrain were surprisingly well preserved. The engine, which had been dormant for 15 years, easily sprang back into action, only needing a comprehensive overhaul.
The gearbox required only a minor adjustment, and the rear axle was in good condition, only needing new seals.
Overcoming Obstacles in T-Series Restoration
Nonetheless, the team encountered numerous challenges while restoring the Bentley T-Series. The issues they faced included:
- A missing dashboard
- Absent interior trim
- Shredded wiring without a detailed diagram
- Corrosion around the rear subframe
- Poor-quality repairs from a previous accident
Due to the limited availability of original spare parts for the Bentley T-Series, the team had to resort to a donor vehicle that was no longer in service. It was essential that the donor was an early model, considering the T-Series specifications had changed over time.
Every detail was thoroughly researched and discussed, from the accurate logo (Rolls-Royce) on the seatbelt buckles to the lack of wing mirrors.
Dave Lowe provides a detailed explanation on the meticulous process involved in restoring the Bentley T-Series:
The paint was peeled back, exposing shoddy repair work from a previous accident and uneven gaps between the panels. One of the back quarter panels was rusted and needed replacement. Once replaced, multiple layers of high-build 2k primer were applied to the entire vehicle. Each layer was meticulously sanded after drying. We devoted a significant amount of time to ensure the panel edges were smooth and didn’t appear to be crafted from filler. Despite using modern two-pack finishes, we aimed to replicate the traditional methods used in Crewe.
The meticulous attention to detail was evident even in the last stages, which involved a final sanding utilizing 8000 grit abrasive and subsequent machine polishing. Paying homage to authenticity, the brightwork and bumpers were cleaned and polished, but refrained from re-chroming to maintain the Bentley T-Series’s original patina.
Engineering Marvels of the Bentley T-Series
The Bentley T-Series represented a significant leap forward in automotive engineering when it debuted in 1965. It was the first Bentley to eschew separate chassis construction in favour of a unitary body design.
This groundbreaking method not only enhanced the passenger space compared to its predecessor, the S3, but also led to the production of a car that was seven inches shorter, five inches lower, and three and a half inches narrower.
The Bentley T-Series was powered by a newly developed 6.23-litre V8 engine that could generate 225 bhp. This engine had the best power-to-weight ratio of any production car in the world at that time, with a ratio of 1.2 kg/hp (2.7 lb/hp).
The performance of the car was just as impressive, boasting a maximum speed of 185 km/h and accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 10.9 seconds – extraordinary statistics for a four-door sedan from its time period.
Innovative Features of the Bentley T-Series
Several innovative design features were introduced in the T-Series that distinguished it from its contemporaries:
- Engine and transmission have independent subframes.
- Advanced suspension system
- Cutting-edge steering mechanisms
- A sophisticated rear axle design
The components were affixed to “Vibrashock” rubber mounts, specifically designed to insulate road noise and vibrations. This guarantees a smooth and noiseless journey, suitable for a luxury car such as the Bentley T-Series.
A New Chapter in Bentley’s Heritage: The T-Series Returns
This historic Bentley T-Series, having undergone full restoration, is ready to embark on a new phase of its illustrious history. It has been reconnected with its original press office registration, 1900 TU, and has become the newest member of the Bentley Heritage Collection.
This collection, which includes 46 road and race cars, acts as a living record of Bentley’s 105-year history. The T-Series will be permanently displayed at the Bentley campus in Crewe, England, and will be kept in a road-legal state for use as needed.
This addition’s significance is reflected upon by Mike Sayer:
This refurbished saloon, together with our T-Series Mulliner Coupe, completes the Bentley heritage narrative of the 1960s and 1970s. It now stands as a remarkable example of Bentley’s first model to employ unitary monocoque construction.
The Legacy of the Bentley T-Series
The process of developing the first monocoque for Bentley and Rolls-Royce started in 1958, with the objective of replacing the formerly standard separate chassis bodies. The outcome was a vehicle that Bentley sold as the T-Series and Rolls-Royce advertised as the Silver Shadow.
By 1962, John Blatchley, renowned for his design of the Continental R-Type, had completed a new exterior design for a steel and aluminium monocoque body. This design not only improved passenger space over the previous S3 model but also resulted in a more compact overall package for the Bentley T-Series.
The Bentley T-Series underwent a thorough development process, with seven prototypes subjected to over 100,000 miles of endurance testing. The design boasted innovative features such as:
- Independent subframes for major components
- “Vibrashock” rubber mounts for isolating noise and vibration
- A ride height control system that is hydropneumatic and consists of two circuits
Throughout the restoration, each system was meticulously overhauled. The hydraulic hoses were substituted, and unique elements like the brake distribution valves were carefully restored to match their initial Bentley T-Series specifications.
The Bentley T-Series: A Testament to Craftsmanship
This Bentley T-Series restoration perfectly embodies the longstanding craftsmanship and engineering brilliance that Bentley has been known for since its inception. It serves as an example of the company’s dedication to maintaining its legacy while simultaneously pursuing advancements in automotive luxury and performance.
This meticulously restored Bentley T-Series, now part of the Bentley Heritage Collection, serves as a link between the company’s illustrious history and its forward-thinking future.
This serves as a concrete reminder of a key moment in car history when Bentley adopted contemporary manufacturing methods without compromising the custom-made quality and meticulous attention to detail that made it synonymous with luxury.
The reappearance of the world’s eldest Bentley T-Series in Crewe is not merely the rejuvenation of a vintage vehicle for car lovers and historians. Rather, it symbolizes the safeguarding of a fragment of car history, a salute to British engineering skill, and a reassertion of Bentley’s century-long dedication to excellence.
Bentley continues to break new ground in luxury automotive design and engineering, constantly innovating and evolving. This fully restored T-Series is a powerful symbol of the company’s origins and the enduring principles that still propel it forward. The T-Series, in its fully restored state, embodies the lasting legacy of one of Britain’s most esteemed automotive brands.
