Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1967 Bentley T1
Registration No: TIA 1967
Chassis No: SBH1954
MOT: Exempt
Offered with an extensive history file
Subject to a recent £6, 448 mechanical refreshment
1 of just 1, 711 Bentley T1s produced
Current V5C document
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 Early cars employed the same GM automatic transmission as the S3, but this was superseded by the Turbo Hydramatic system from 1970 onwards.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.
