World's oldest Bentley T-Series resurrected

CREWE

The world's oldest Bentley T-Series has made a triumphant return to its birthplace in Crewe, England, after an absence of nearly six decades. This Shell Grey standard saloon, bearing the chassis number SBH1001, represents a pivotal moment in Bentley's illustrious history and has now taken its rightful place in the Bentley Heritage Collection.

The T-Series, first unveiled at the 1965 Paris Salon de l'Auto, marked a revolutionary departure from Bentley's traditional separate chassis construction. As the first Bentley to feature a unitary monocoque design, it heralded a new era in the marque's engineering prowess. This particular vehicle, used as a company trials car and featured prominently in the model's initial press coverage, had been lost to time until its recent rediscovery.

Mike Sayer, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, recounted the car's serendipitous discovery: "Wayne Bruce, our Chief Communications Officer, and I quite literally found it under a tarpaulin in the back of a warehouse. Given it was the first-of-line chassis, we knew we had to save it." The significance of this find cannot be overstated, as it represents one of the final pieces in Bentley's efforts to complete their rejuvenated Heritage Collection.

The restoration process was a delicate balance between preservation and renewal. Despite decades of inactivity, key elements of the drivetrain were found to be in surprisingly good condition. The engine, silent for 15 years, roared back to life after a thorough service. The gearbox required only minor adjustments, while the rear axle needed new seals.

However, the team faced significant challenges. The car lacked its entire interior, including the dashboard, and its wiring loom was in disarray without a detailed diagram. Corrosion around the rear subframe and evidence of poor-quality crash repairs added to the complexity of the restoration. With limited off-the-shelf replacement parts available, the team sourced a donor vehicle of the same early specification to ensure historical accuracy.

The T-Series boasted innovative features for its time, including vibration-deadening Vibrashock mounts and a two-circuit hydro-pneumatic ride height control system. These components were meticulously overhauled, with all hydraulic hoses replaced and unique elements like the brake distribution valves restored to full working order. The rewiring and dashboard fitting proved to be particularly time-consuming tasks, demanding immense patience and skill.

This restoration project not only breathes new life into a singular automobile but also illuminates a crucial chapter in Bentley's history. The T-Series, along with its Rolls-Royce counterpart, the Silver Shadow, represented the culmination of a design process that began in 1958. The goal was to create the first monocoque Bentley and Rolls-Royce, moving away from the traditional coach-built bodies on separate chassis.

Upon its release, the Bentley T-Series was lauded as a revolutionary engineering achievement. Its relatively lightweight construction delivered impressive performance for a four-door sedan of its era, boasting a maximum speed of 115 mph and achieving 0-62 mph in 10.9 seconds. These figures were noteworthy for a luxury vehicle of its size and class in 1965.

During its production run, 1,868 examples of the first-generation T-Series were manufactured. With a pre-tax list price of GBP 5,425, the majority of these were standard four-door saloons, making this restored example a true representation of the model's most common form.

The return of this historic vehicle to Crewe is more than just the homecoming of a classic car. It represents the preservation of automotive heritage, the celebration of engineering milestones, and the dedication of those who work tirelessly to maintain these rolling pieces of history. As it takes its place alongside other significant Bentleys in the Heritage Collection, chassis number SBH1001 stands as a tangible link to the past, allowing future generations to appreciate the evolution of one of the world's most prestigious automotive brands.