| Bentley T-series | |
|---|---|
 1970 Bentley T1 Four Door Saloon | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bentley Motors Limited (1931) |
| Production | 1965–1980 |
| Assembly | Crewe,England |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-sizeluxury car |
| Body style | 4-doorsaloon[1] 2-doorsaloon[1] 2-doorconvertible[1] |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | monocoque |
| Related | Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Rolls-Royce Camargue Rolls-Royce Corniche/Bentley Continental |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6230 (from 1971 – 6750) ccRolls-Royce - Bentley L Series V8 engine |
| Transmission | 4-speedautomatic transmission / 3-speed automatic transmission (GM400) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 119.5 in (3,040 mm) |
| Length | 203.5 in (5,170 mm) |
| Width | 71 in (1,800 mm) |
| Height | 59.75 in (1,518 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 2,103 kg (4,636 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Bentley S3 |
| Successor | Bentley Mulsanne |
TheBentley T-series is a luxury automobile produced byBentley Motors Limited in theUnited Kingdom from 1965 to 1980. It was announced and displayed for the first time at theParis Motor Show on 5 October 1965 as a Bentley-badged version of the totally redesignedRolls-Royce Silver Shadow.
The Bentley T series was available as a four-door saloon and as a long wheelbase four-door saloon. A small number of two-door saloons were built with coachwork byJames Young andMulliner Park Ward and a two-door convertible with coachwork by Mulliner Park Ward was introduced in September 1967. A total of 2,336 examples were produced.
The T series was the firstunibodied Bentley, and was totally different from its predecessor the S series.[2] It featured a new steel and aluminiummonocoque body with subframes to mount the engine and suspension. While smaller overall, it had more passenger room, particularly in the rear compartment, yet more luggage space. Overall the car was 7 inches (18 cm) shorter, 5 inches (13 cm) lower,3+1⁄2 inches (9 cm) narrower, and 150 pounds (68 kg) lighter than the S.
Because of being fitted with the traditional round-shouldered "Bentley" style front grille – its sole material styling difference from theRolls-Royce Silver Shadow – it was also somewhat lower at bonnet height, giving it a slightly more assertive look.
The 'T' also featured independent suspension on all four wheels with automatic height control according to loading. Other major improvements included disc brakes on all wheels (with a triplicate hydraulic braking system patented from Citroën that also supplied pressure for the self leveling suspension); new and lighter power steering, improved automatic transmission, eight-way adjustable electric front seats, and a larger fuel tank.
The engine received a redesigned cylinder head that allowed a speed increase to 118 miles per hour (190 km/h).[2]
In October 1966, the T saloon's pretax 'list price' of £5425 was £50 less than the Silver Shadow.[3]
The formerly more sporting image of Bentley motor cars differing from Rolls-Royces was long gone and far from being renewed by the time the Bentley T was introduced. Effectively, the two were indistinguishable.
The T was upgraded to the "T2" in 1977, which featuredrack and pinion steering, improved air conditioning, rubber-faced bumpers, a new fascia and, for non-federalized cars, a front air dam. Bosch CIS Fuel Injection was introduced for late 1979 and 1980 models for the US and other markets, similarly to the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II.
The T2 was discontinued in 1980.
| Model[4][5] | Period[4][5] | Units[4][5] |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley T1 | 1965–1977 | 1703 |
| Bentley T1 LWB | 1971–1976 | 9 |
| Bentley T1 two door saloon | 1966–1971 | 114 * |
| Bentley T1Pininfarina coupé | 1968 | 1 |
| Bentley T1 convertible | 1967–1971 | 41 |
| Bentley T2 | 1977–1980 | 558 |
| Bentley T2 LWB | 1977–1980 | 10 |
Note: 15 of the two-door Saloons were built with coachwork byJames Young, the remainder byMulliner Park Ward.[4]
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