Description
After much soul searching, I have reluctantly decided to sell “Gently”, my wonderful 1970 Bentley T1 after over four years of dry use, careful garaging and maintenance and incredibly special and rewarding ownership.
Order new by Sir Nicolas Cayzer, later Lord Cayzer (Baron Cayzer of St Mary Axe in the City of London) in March 1970 via Mann Eggerton of Berkeley Street, London W1 Gently was delivered to the offices of Cayzer Irvine Ltd on St Mary Axe in August 1970. The history folder includes the full Construction and Test Records, obtained from the Rolls Royce archive and includes the original bill of sale in the princely sum of £8, 108!
The original colours of Seychelles Blue with silver ‘fine lines’ and grey hide and grey Ambla headlining are retained. A further two yards of grey Ambla were supplied loose on delivery to Mann Eggerton to allow the installation, post manufacture but pre-delivery, of an electric, steel sunroof (currently in need of recommissioning). Also retained are the factory fitted, self-adhesive GB plate and a chrome badge bar which carries five emblems, the AA, RAC, RAFA, Auto Club de Monaco and The Order of the Road.
The V5C indicates two previous owners, and I am aware from documents in the folder that a previous owner moved the car to Japan in 2004 where it resided until being repatriated in 2019. I am a member of the Bentley Drivers Club but unfortunately the extremely helpful BDC representative in Japan was unable to source very much information about the car’s time during this period. Further history from this time may well be available should the next owner wish to pursue and I am aware that the Cayzer Family Archive is active and again this may prove a useful source for information on the early life of the car, if of interest to the new owner. Gently came to me with the various window stickers you see in the photographs, appropriately honouring perhaps the sporting heritage of the Bentley marque and intriguingly, with a ‘Bentley Guest’ lanyard from the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed wrapped around the panoramic rear view mirror!
Gently wears his 55 years and 85, 000 miles extremely well and his undoubted presence and stature draws much respect and admiration wherever I take him. He easily passes the ‘10ft test’ but closer inspection does reveal some evidence of paint micro blistering, some previous touch-up repairs, and some over-polishing of chrome work. The white wall tyres are in good condition with plenty of tread and internally he is in fine fettle, retaining that magical and unmistakeable smell that only cars of a certain age and composition can provide. There is a minor tear to the passenger seat, currently with a temporary fix but none of this patina of age detracts from his overall commanding yet charming demeanour.
Gently starts first turn of the key and soon settles into a steady and rattle free tick-over. Power delivery is effortless, gear change barely detectable, kick-down swift and the car is surprisingly easy to place. The ride is as expected and famously ‘compliant’, and you waft along easily up to motorway speeds with passengers always marvelling at the comfort. The brakes are strong and fade free but I have always thought the pedal travel long, something I am now well used to. On a recent 350-mile road trip around Northumbria, I noticed a slight knock from the rear and believe an exhaust bracket may need attention. I also thought the air conditioning was not as cold as I had remembered, I do not often use this and the system may need re-gassing perhaps.
All in all this is a very rare and very special example of the marque in extremely good condition and which has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to own and to drive. Unfortunately though now reluctantly seeking a new owner who will I hope take forward my careful stewardship.
