Highlights
- 6¼ litre V8 engine
- Brakes overhauled last year
- Paint and chrome in great condition
- One of only 26 examples
The Appeal
Mulliner Park Ward coachbuilders introduced their drop head coupé coachwork to the Bentley T1 in 1967. This gave customers the option of a rakish body style to make their purchase stand out from the crowd.
This particular Bentley T1 looks resplendent in its white paintwork, which works exceedingly well with the pale automatic folding hood. The car has a commanding road presence, with the unmistakable pointed radiator surround surmounted by the immortal winged B emblem.
One of only a small number of right hand drive convertible coupés built, this T1 offers an opportunity to acquire a fine luxury motorcar with excellent pedigree, presented in good condition throughout.
The History and Paperwork
- Manufactured in 1968
- First owner until 1976
- Exported to South Africa
- Power operated hood system manual
- Bentley T Series owner’s manual
- Service book
- Lubrication and maintenance schedule
The Interior
- Pleasingly patinated leather upholstery
- Burr walnut dashboard in excellent condition
- Carpeting clean and tidy throughout
Opening the wide doors of this Bentley reveals a luxuriously appointed interior, with warmly patinated leather seats and the beautiful solidity of a burr walnut dashboard.
The leather is in a fetching state of having been used for the past six decades. There are some signs of use, particularly on the driver’s seat, but we think that this adds to the charm of the car and helps tell its story. We are told that the leather on the rear parcel shelf has been hardened by the sun.
The carpets are in very presentable condition and the door cards are clean and exhibit few signs of use. In front of the driver, the dashboard veneer is complete and free from damage or delamination. The English walnut veneer is in excellent condition and complements the natural tone of the leather upholstery. A full set of gauges and switches adorn the dashboard, keeping the driver up to speed with the goings-on underneath the bonnet.
To the rear, the boot is carpeted and in good clean condition. It contains the full size spare wheel, jack and a complete tool kit.
The Exterior
- Striking white paintwork in good condition
- Exterior chrome nicely polished
- Imposing Bentley radiator
This impressive Bentley can’t fail to make an entrance wherever it goes, partly because of its sheer size but also because of its unmissable white paintwork. The paint is said to be in very good condition. There are no reported issues, scratches or blemishes in the paint, and from what we can see the paint is indeed very well preserved.
The chrome fittings are bright and free from pitting, with the famous radiator grill being in particularly good condition and ready to make its next owner proud. The body panels appear to be straight and true, with the vendor telling us that they are unaware of any historic damage to the car. It runs on wheels which are said to be in excellent condition — the hubcaps are certainly beautifully polished — and the tyres reportedly retain good tread.
Underneath, there is no reported damage or corrosion and the car has apparently never been welded. The roof is looking a little worn, with some evidence of fading and a couple of stains, but we think that it looks its best with the hood down anyway.
The Mechanics
- Brakes serviced in 2021
- Said to run smoothly and silently
- Extensive servicing
The design of the 6¼ litre V8 engine in this Bentley would remain in production longer than almost any engine ever made. In various forms it lasted into the 2020s, having first appeared in 1959. This mechanical marvel proves just how good Rolls-Royce’s engineers were at this period in their history.
The engine fitted to this T1 is said to be in fine health, running smoothly and producing ample power. There is no reported smoke or leaks and the transmission reportedly changes gear smoothly. The car received a brake overhaul in 2021, including a new master cylinder.
We are informed that the engine ticks over almost silently and that there are no unusual noises at all, as you would expect from a fine motorcar such as this. And included in the car’s history file is a handwritten list of the car’s repairs and servicing carried out since 2006, indicating that over R120,000 has been invested in this car’s upkeep.
Summary
In all, this Bentley appears to be a fine example of the marque. It benefits from being fitted with the famously long-lived V8 engine which served Rolls-Royce and Bentley well for many decades, and it is said to have received a lot of expenditure on its mechanical servicing.
The body appears to be in good condition, the white paint is well preserved and the interior is presentable, so this Bentley will look the part wherever it makes an entrance.
