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Bentley T2 Saloon

Bentley T2 Saloon

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Bentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 Saloon
Bentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 Saloon
Bentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 SaloonBentley T2 Saloon
Lot number 60
Hammer value N/S (est. £9,000 - £11,000)
Description Bentley T2 Saloon
Registration GHB 105V
Year 1980
Colour Dark Blue
Engine size 6,750 cc
Chassis No. SBH38320
Engine No. 38320

Magnificent cars though they were, there was no doubt that by 1965 the Bentley S3 and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud had become something of an anachronism with their separate chassis and vast proportions. 

The launch of the relatively compact Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Type put this situation to rights, using an all new monocoque design with a much lower roof line, self-levelling independent suspension, dual-circuit servo disc brakes all round, and a 3-speed automatic gearbox. Luxury never goes out of style, however, and the cars were as sumptuous as ever inside with acres of walnut, Wilton and leather and electric seats and windows as standard.

Although the cars were more or less identical, the Bentley T looked more dynamic than the Shadow thanks to its lower and more streamlined radiator. Otherwise it is only the badging that sets the cars apart – although the Bentley is far more exclusive as only 1,703 T1 saloons were made compared to over ten times that number of Shadows.

In 1977 it was replaced by the T2, now with sharper rack-and-pinion steering, revised suspension, more flared wheel arches to contain the wider radial tyres that were now standard, improved air conditioning, a new fascia and a front air dam. Just 558 examples were made before production came to an end in 1980, making the T2 a very rare car indeed.

First registered in January 1980, this particular T2 looks most striking in bright metallic blue with a blue leather interior. It has had just three owners from new and was acquired by the vendor about three years ago but has been very little used throughout that time, being kept in storage as part of a private collection.

Appearing to be in mainly good condition throughout apart from a small split on the front passenger seat squab and some minor bubbling at the base of one rear wing, it fired up promptly and drove nicely as we manoeuvred it for these pictures. At the time of cataloguing there was no history file with the car and the owner was unavailable for comment so there is not much more we can say about it at present.
 

AMENDMENT:.Upon arrival, we can confirm that the service book shows a total of 13 stamps, through Jack Barclay and The Chelsea Workshop, the last of which took place in May 2011 at which point the car had covered 75,021 miles. The odometer now reads 75,700 miles. This car has a 3-speed automatic gearbox, not 4-speed as stated in the printed catalogue.

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