One of just 558 T2 Bentleys produced between 1977 and 1980
Attractive colour combination of beautiful dark burgundy paintwork with cream leather interior
Very good condition car including the hand-crafted fixtures and fittings
UK registered car currently residing in Italy
Tax and MOT exempt
The Appeal
In the 1970s Rolls Royce offered a single model that could be badge-engineered to appeal to Rolls and Bentley customers. For those who found the idea of a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow a little too showy the firm offered a Bentley T2 equivalent, its more subtle grille and subtle bib spoiler leaning into a slightly different vibe.
There was also the small matter or rarity. Just 558 T2s left the factory over three years from 1977, making the Rolls equivalent seem positively mass produced.
This beautiful 1978 T2 is finished in Dark Burgundy, one of the nicest, and subtlest shades available between 1966 and 1980, with a contrasting cream leather interior, piped red to provide connection with the bodywork. It is in excellent, very solid condition and the wonderful interior shows clear signs of having been cared for.
Subtle yet imposing, relaxing yet rewarding, this rare, well-loved UK-registered T2 Bentley looks hugely appealing and read for a road trip back to Britain from its Italian home.
The History And Paperwork
First registered 1st January 1978
No MOT history as the car has spent most of its recent life in Italy
Factory handbooks included
At the time of writing we did not have sight of the service history or history file but the seller states there's some documentation
Originally supplied by Rolls Royce and Bentley dealer Jack Barclay of London
T2 revised the original chrome bumper T1 with rack and pinion steering, rubber bumpers, new fascia and front spoiler
Private registration included in sale
The Interior
Excellent cream leather interior with red piping appears to retain its softness and colour
Red carpets and rear footrests in very good condition
Boot carpet is excellent and unmarked
Unmarked leather headlining
Extensive veneers in very good condition with no visible delamination
Original right down to the factory fitted radio
Air conditioning and cruise control (not tested)
The contrasting colours and hand built detailing of this Bentley make for a hugely inviting interior. The light cream seats, neatly piped in red, contrast with the dark burgundy paintwork.
It is all in exceptional condition and has clearly been cared for. The seats, in particular the one for the driver, display none of the shine or creasing you might expect of a 45 year old car. Instead the leather appears supple and soft, evidence of ongoing hide feed or recent retrimming – it is so good that it is hard to decide which.
Elsewhere the red carpets with their rear footrests are in very good, unmarked condition. They reverse the seat colour arrangement, being red piped cream. This theme continues into the boot which is in very good condition.
The extensive wood veneers are excellent, with none of the delamination or cracking that might be expected in a car of this age. There is even a factory radio, also neatly trimmed in veneer.
The cream leather headlining along with the door cards and other trim fittings are all in similarly excellent condition.
The only minor detraction is on the passenger door where the chrome trim for the mirror adjustment appears to be missing.
The Exterior
Beautiful unmarked dark burgundy paintwork
Chrome wheel rim embellishers with body colour centre trims
Factory correct Avon TurboSteel tyres fitted all round
Front body colour spoiler distinguishes the T2 from the earlier T1 and the contemporary Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Discreet rubber bumpers with chrome trim
Twin exhaust pipes
The dark burgundy paintwork of this T2 was one of the longest lasting finishes available for Bentleys and also one of the subtlest. It is one of those colours that cleverly changes in the sun, appearing to cycle through brown and black depending on the light levels.
The bodywork on this 1978 T2 is in excellent condition and appears to be corrosion free. The underside looks to be in similar condition. There are some localised signs of surface corrosion that may benefit from a wire brush and wax oil regime.
Working around the car there are a few very minor marks to be aware of. On the driver’s door there is a vertical mark that appears to be through the paint. On the same side of the car there is a small paint blemish between the rear arch and the rear door low down.
On the nearside of the car there are two stone chips on the rear edge of the rear wheel arch and a chip behind the nearside front arch.
The front bumper has light scuffs on the nearside and a vertical area of damage on the offside. The rear bumper has a light scuff in the centre on the edge of the rubber and some white marks on the offside corner on the rubber.
The pretty factory chrome wheel rims are generally in very good condition, just the offside pair being kerbed, the front one being worse than the rear but both not unsightly. They are fitted with factory correct Avon TurboSteel tyres that appear to be in good condition.
Since the car has spent much of its recent life in Italy there is no MOT history.
The Mechanics
6.75litre Rolls Royce V8 engine with ‘sufficient’ power
Rack and pinion steering
Hydropneumatic suspension
3spd automatic gearbox
The T2 is mechanically identical to the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow which means a very smooth 6.75litre V8 and 3spd automatic gearbox with column shift. This is an unstressed and generally very reliable motor with the advantage of ready parts supply. Along with contemporary Rolls Royce Silver Shadows, the T2 got rack and pinion steering to provide a slightly more engaged driving experience.
At the time of writing we were unable to check the service history with the car so this may be something that the buyer wishes to check with the Seller.
It seems reasonable to assume, however, that a car that is otherwise in excellent condition will have been maintained to a similar standard.
Summary
The Silver Shadow shape is surely one of the company’s most distinctive and could only carry a Rolls or Bentley badge. The T2 got improved build quality and better steering and only a few hundred landed in the hands of lucky buyers.
This beautiful dark burgundy T2 combined a familiar shape with Bentley rarity and is in wonderful condition. The bodywork and the soft cream leather evidence of careful, attentive ownership. Few cars deliver the sense of occasion of a Bentley and this one looks hugely rewarding.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
1978 Bentley T2 (RHD)
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