Bentley T1 Saloon

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The Bentley S3 and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud are magnificent cars but there is no doubt that by 1965 these separate chassis behemoths had become something of an anachronism.

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 4-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 are more or less identical, the Bentley T looks more dynamic than the Shadow because the radiator is lower and smoother with a more streamlined shape. Otherwise it is only the badging on wheel covers, boot lid and gauges that sets the cars apart – although the Bentley is far more exclusive as only 1,703 saloons were made compared to over ten times that number of Shadows, the T1 being replaced by a T2 version in 1977.

This 1973 T1 was supplied new through Mann Egerton to first owners, the City of London Real Property Company. Delivered in Tudor Grey with Blue Connolly leather upholstery, it may well have been exported not too long after delivery as the V5 document shows a first UK registration date of January 1978 which is incorrect, as is the 1978 'S' plate registration number. As a result it is shown as a private/light goods taxation class on the V5 whereas it should be tax exempt, sometging that it would pay the new owner to get corrected.

A copy of the original Bentley Motors car specification confirms the build date and detailed specification which included Avon radial tyres, plain Sundym glass, a badge bar, quartz iodine headlights and Desmo Continental wing mirrors. A receipt on file shows that it was sold in 1999 to a gentleman in North Wales while the oldest MOT dates from 1995 when it showed an indicated 11,000 miles (most likely 111,000), a figure which has increased by just 2,800 miles since then. Its current ticket expires in June 2016.

Two estimates for rear wheel arch repairs and a new exhaust are believed to have been given the go-ahead and it had a replacement GM TH400 auto gearbox in March 2015 by Chester Automatic Transmission Centre which gave it a 12 month warranty, although bidders are advised that this is subject to certain service conditions. The vendor advises us that it would benefit from some attention to the paintwork, adding that it will be driven over 150 miles to the sale.

Less ostentatious than its Rolls-Royce sibling, the Bentley T1 is also a much rarer beast, begging the question can they get any better value than they are today? We think not!