Bentley T-Series Two-Door Saloon, 1971
Bentley T-Series
Bentley T-Series•
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Chassis No.: CBH9242
£41,400 GBP | Sold
- Rare coachbuilt two-door variant
- One of only 79 right-hand models
- Extensive service history
- Maintained by Frank Dale & Stepsons since 2008
Rolls-Royce's adoption of unitary construction for its new Silver Shadow and T-Series Bentley necessitated the reorganisation of in-house coachbuilder H J Mulliner, Park Ward to meet the challenge of producing new designs on the Shadow floor pan. The variety of body styles offered was limited to just two - a two-door saloon or similar drophead coupé - the former arriving in March 1966 and the latter in September the following year. Some of the frontal panels were shared with the standard four-door saloon but otherwise the new bodyshells were unique, featuring a distinctive dipping upper wing line with parallel crease, and revised, more rounded posterior.
Despite a price some 50% greater than the standard saloon's, demand was strong right from the start, a state of affairs that resulted in the introduction of the outwardly similar Corniche in 1971. At this time, the Bentley marque's image suffered from its not being sufficiently differentiated from that of Rolls-Royce, a situation that would not be remedied until the introduction of the Mulsanne Turbo in the 1980s. The result was greatly reduced sales, making a Bentley of this period a much rarer car than the equivalent Rolls-Royce.
For example: between 1967 and 1971, 571 Mulliner, Park Ward-bodied Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow two-door saloons were manufactured compared to a mere 98 of the Bentley version, of which 79 were right-hand drive like this example. Today, however, the revival of the Bentley marque has seen a commensurate upsurge in demand for these rare T-Series models.
Much rarer and arguably far more handsome than the Rolls-Royce version, this MPW-bodied Bentley two-door saloon comes with a copy of the original sale invoice and the full factory specification. Its first owner was one H Clark. The car was acquired by the previous owner in 2008 having previously belonged to the Malaysian ambassador, during whose ownership it was maintained by Chelsea Workshop. Details of other owners are on file together with MoT certificates dating back to 1999 and service/maintenance invoices dating back to March 2008.
Totalling circa £19,000, these invoices were all issued by marque specialists Frank Dale & Stepsons, and the car also comes with two fully stamped service books, acquired by Clark and Carter Restorations Ltd in 2016, the Car has been recently serviced by them prior to the Sale. Finished in Brewster Green with beautifully patinated black leather interior, this rare and desirable coachbuilt Bentley is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate. The most appropriate Crewe-issued registration '4076 TU' is included in the sale.
Cost
200,835 AED
