H&H Classic Auction  @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
24th of April, 2024 13:00

1973 Bentley T-Series Saloon
Formerly part of the Dr James Hull and Jaguar Land Rover collections
Estimate
£18, 000 - £22, 000

Registration No: TPB 50M
Chassis No: SBH16652
MOT: T. B. A

- Built to 'Page 16, Issue 15 SVR. 1072 of the Special Vehicle Requirements Brochure'
- Finished in the stunning combination of Larch Green Metallic with Tan leather upholstery
- Formerly part of the Dr James Hull and Jaguar Land Rover Heritage Collections
- Desirable 'Radial Tyre' T-Series that has benefited from much expenditure

Launched in October 1965, the Bentley T-Series utilised the same monocoque bodyshell, all-round independent suspension (self-levelling at the rear) and disc brakes as its Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow sibling. The lightest Bentley for a generation, its mellifluous 6230cc V8 engine (enlarged to 6750cc during 1970) and smooth-shifting automatic transmission endowed the four-door saloon with a surprising turn of speed. Typically luxurious, the T-series' interior was an alchemic blend of the finest Connolly leather, rich wood veneers, deep carpets and polished chrome. In all some 1, 711 T-Series were sold versus 16, 721 Silver Shadows.

According to its accompanying copy factory records, chassis SBH16652 was ‘built to Page 16, Issue 15 SVR. 1072 of the Special Requirements Brochure’. Recalibrated for radial tyres, the Bentley was finished in the stunning combination of Larch Green Metallic with a Light Fawn headliner, Tan leather upholstery and Deep Fawn carpets. Supplied new via Lex Mead of Weybridge to C. E. Pratt Esq of Darien House, Virginia Water, the T-Series was first registered as ‘TPB 50M’ on 4th September 1973. Passing to fellow Surrey resident J. Meister Esq later that same decade, he kept the distinctively-hued luxury saloon until the early 2000s entrusting it to Brian Charman Auto Services for maintenance. Part of Dr James Hull’s amazing collection which was subsequently acquired by Jaguar Land Rover, the Bentley was dry stored for several years. Drawn to ‘TPB 50M’ not only because of its colour scheme and originality but because he could not find evidence of any substantive corrosion, the vendor was also impressed by the condition of its rubbers, brightwork and tyres. Showing a highly credible but unwarranted 86, 000 miles to its odometer, the T-Series has been sympathetically recommissioned and is expected to possess a fresh MOT Certificate by the time of sale. Pleasingly retaining its original numbered handbook and book pack, ‘TPB 50M’ will be driven to the auction and is accompanied by a V5C Registration Document and history file.