World's Oldest Bentley T-Series Returns Home

The world’s oldest Bentley T-Series has returned to its Crewe, UK, birthplace after a 59-year absence. 

Sensitively recommissioned and retaining much of its original componentry and running gear, the prodigal T-Series will take its place in the Bentley Heritage Collection alongside road- and race-cars from the British brand’s storied 105-year history. 

This car – T-Series chassis number SBH1001 was used as a company trials car and featured in the original press coverage following the model launch at the 1965 Paris Salon de l’Auto. 

Fresh from restoration

The car was found under a cover in storage but had not run for decades and was missing several key parts – including its entire interior. 

The car’s significance as the first T-Series – or equivalent Rolls Royce Silver Shadow – off the production line prompted Bentley’s decision to recommission it, preserving as much of the original car as possible.

“The T-Series is one of the final two pieces of the puzzle to complete our rejuvenated Heritage Collection,” said Mike Sayer, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection.

The real deal

“Our Chief Communications Officer, Wayne Bruce and I quite literally found it under a tarpaulin in the back of a warehouse, and given it was the first-of-line chassis we knew we had to save it. 

“Together with our T-Series Mulliner Coupe, this revitalised sedan completes the Bentley heritage story of the 1960s and 1970s, and is now an outstanding example of the model, which was the first Bentley to use a unitary monocoque construction.” 

A group of Bentley apprentices started the process of dismantling and assessing the car, after which the recommissioning was entrusted to the experts at P&A Wood, specialists in the preservation and restoration of classic Bentleys and the company’s partner for Heritage Collection projects. 

Despite its long hiatus, key elements of the T-Series drivetrain proved to be in surprisingly good condition. The engine fired up  after a 15-year silence, needing only a thorough service, and the gearbox required only minor adjustment. The rear axle was in a good state and only needed new seals. 

Among the bigger challenges facing the restoration team was a missing dashboard, no interior trim, a wiring loom in pieces without a detailed diagram, corrosion around the rear subframe and previous poor-quality crash repairs. 

With few replacement parts available off-the shelf, the team sourced a donor vehicle that was at the end of its life. As the specification of the T-Series evolved over the years, it was important that the donor should also be an early mode, with every detail pored over, right down to the correct (Rolls-Royce) logo on the seat belt buckles and the lack of wing mirrors. 

The T Series’ innovative vibration-deadening Vibrashock mounts and two-circuit hydro-pneumatic ride height control were thoroughly overhauled. All hydraulic hoses were replaced, and unique components like the brake distribution valves were restored to full working condition. 

Rewiring and fitting the dashboard proved a major undertaking, likewise the bodywork which once stripped revealing poorly executed accident repair work and inconsistent panel gaps. One rear wing was corroded and had to be replaced, after which the entire vehicle was given multiple coats of 2k high build primer.

“We spent a lot of time softening the panel edges, so they don’t look carved out of filler,” said P&A Wood coachwork manager Dave Lowe, a veteran with more than 23-years of experience at the firm.

“And though we’re using modern two-pack finishes, we tried to do everything in the old Crewe way.”

That included a final sand down with 8000 grit abrasive followed by machine polishing. Brightwork and bumpers were cleaned and polished, but not re-chromed – preserving the original patina. 

The latest chapter in the fascinating story of this significant T-Series Bentley sees it reunited with its former press office registration number of 1900 TU.

Wearing that registration, it becomes the latest addition to the Heritage Collection at Bentley’s campus in Crewe, England, where it joins 45 other significant models that are kept in running and road legal condition to enable driving when needed.