Highlights
- Early example of Shadow-based Bentley T1
- Amazing history file
- Fully restored
- Original titled owner and factory build records
The Appeal
Back when it debuted in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was billed as the best car in the world. A bold claim, but one not without foundation, for it was both technologically advanced and a delight to drive.
It also spawned the first ever unitary-construction Bentley, the T1, which debuted the same year to replace the S-Series models, its traditional round-shouldered Bentley front grille being the only material styling difference from the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow – it was also somewhat lower at bonnet height, giving it a slightly more assertive look.
This one is a historied car that has just had a full restoration and is presented in stunning condition, finished in the extremely rare special-order colour of Black Pearl metallic with grey leather.
The build records confirm that the car was ordered from Jack Barclay in London by a Colonel J D Horning OBE, the officer in charge of the Queen's Bodyguard at the West Grinstead Stud, London EC4, with the optional extras of Sundym glass and tubeless tyres.
Only 1,712 T1s were made and according to howmanyleft.co.uk, there are only 10 left in the UK with MOTs. The car comes with over £23,000 worth of invoices for work carried out in the last three years alone, plus other works carried out over previous ownership.
Having been around Bentleys for most of his life, the vendor purchased the car from a deceased estate via a luxury high-end car dealership in central London as a cosmetic restoration project with the idea of keeping it forever, but he is no longer able to use it as much as he wished. His son is classic car restorer and in mid-2023 he began the restoration, including having it stripped back to metal and repainted in the original colour – a photographic record of the restoration is included in the sale.
As the photos show, the car was extremely solid, other than a section of one rear wheel arch, where a new panel was fitted. Both Silver Lady Rolls-Royce specialists and the MOT tester commented on how surprisingly solid the car was underneath.
For the new owner, this will be a fine opportunity to own one of the best surviving T1s, presented in superb overall order and ready to use, show and enjoy.
The History and Paperwork
- UK V5C in the name of the vendor
- Car number SBH12250
- Covered a genuine 64,576 miles
- Massive history files including full Bentley build info etc
- MOT until August 2026 no advisories (MOT and Tax exempt)
- Matching body and engine numbers
- Copies of old V5s
- A number of old tax discs and MOT certificates is included
- Comprehensive service history filling three box files
- Tax, MOT and ULEZ/CAZ exempt
- Some bills and invoices from previous ownership
- Over £23k in invoices from current ownership
- Restoration photos on file
- Handwritten book detailing all work and journeys from October 1997 to September 2002
- Spare Key, MOT, HPI certificate, Owners handbook, original build record copy and warranty documents
- Photo of car at RREC Silver Shadow 60th celebration, attended by the owner’s son
- Full set of Workshop manuals, a box full of RREC Books and other paraphernalia.
The Condition
- Repainted in 2023 in original Pearl Black, and still looks amazing
- One very minor scratch to one door, some tiny bubbles on one arch and two very small microblisters on front scuttle panel
- The car had several coats of rust preventer and then primer, finally given several coats of the original Black Pearl metallic and lacquer, this was completed in 2023, and the car still looks immaculate
- Perfect bonnet mascot and grille
- Original, rare Bentley headlight surrounds
- Appears sound underneath
- Very good chrome all-round – very minor pitting to front bumper
- Rich grey leather seats in wonderful order with no obvious damage
- Burr walnut veneers and door cappings presented in fabulous order
- Period-looking Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB stereo with all the modern DAB and Bluetooth features and electric aerial
- Air conditioning
- Four electric windows
- 4 brand new tyres
- External temperature thermometer
- Original Rolls-Royce tool kit
The Mechanics
- 6,750cc OHV V8
- Three-speed auto
- Fluid-operated suspension, brakes and power-assisted steering, all in good order
- Some of the mechanical works carried out by renowned RR and Bentley specialists Silver Lady at a special trade rate of £3,922.65
- Drives superbly – quiet, refined, comfortable and with no untoward noises, with all functions and controls operating correctly, as we found out with a short test drive
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