The first Bentley T-Series returns as a collectible

For a prestigious luxury brand with a long history, there is always a collection of iconic models. Bentley, with a 105-year heritage, includes both road and racing cars in its collection. Recently, the Bentley collection has welcomed yet another model of great historical significance to the brand—the T-Series.

The T-Series holds great importance for the Bentley brand. As early as 1958, Bentley decided to design its first model with a monocoque body. By 1962, Jonhn Blatchley had created a brand-new steel-aluminum monocoque body. Compared to the previous S3 model, it not only reduced the overall body size but also improved the interior space for passengers.

The first T-Series model, which we are discussing today, officially rolled off the production line in 1965. It was also the company's test car, similar to what we now call a prototype vehicle, and made its debut at the 1965 Paris Motor Show. However, this first T-Series model was not well preserved or maintained. By the time it was rediscovered, it had been sitting in a warehouse for over a decade without being started, with many parts missing.

In 2022, Bentley decided to undertake a complete restoration of the first T-Series model. After being dormant for at least 15 years, the car's 6.25-liter pushrod V8 engine was started once again, and both the engine and transmission were found to be in good condition. Following at least 18 months of restoration work, the first T-Series car was brought back to its original state and officially included in Bentley's collection.

We all know that although Bentley and Rolls-Royce, two iconic British brands, are now under Volkswagen and BMW respectively, they share some historical intersections, with similarities in their heritage, positioning, and market strategies. The T-Series, while bearing a resemblance to Rolls-Royce models of the same era, was positioned with a more sporty character. For instance, the front height was lowered, creating sleeker and more dynamic body lines.

In addition to its powerful engine, the T-Series also featured an advanced chassis system. Its four-wheel independent suspension could automatically adjust the ride height based on the load, with the suspension consisting of double wishbones at the front, coil springs, and semi-trailing arms at the rear. Thanks to the new lightweight body structure and robust powertrain, this car achieved a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 10.9 seconds, with a top speed of 185 km/h, which was impressive for its time.

Many people might be curious about the price of this Bentley T-Series. In October 1966, the starting price for the Bentley T1, excluding taxes, was £5,425, which was £50 less than the price of a Rolls-Royce. A total of 1,868 units of the first-generation T-Series were produced, with the majority being standard four-door sedans.