1980 Bentley T2 *Restoration Project*

Description

• UNSOLD at auction July 2023 
• 733 RW Cherished Plate valued between £4-8K 
• Just four previous owners 
• Present owner since 1990 
• One of the last to leave the production line 

Outwardly distinguishable from the Silver Shadow only by virtue of its different radiator and its ‘B’ mascot, the T-Series Bentley was introduced alongside its Rolls-Royce sibling in 1965. Mechanically identical, the duo represented a complete break with tradition, being the first of the Crewe factory’s models to employ unitary construction. In 1977 the model was updated as a Bentley T2 with many improvements over the first series cars. The T2 derivative has become the most collectible of all Silver Shadow and Bentley T Series models because of their rarity and fantastic drivability coupled with handsome proportions and exquisite hand-built quality. 

By the time production ceased in 1980, only 568 Bentley T2s had found customers compared with over 10,500 Rolls-Royce Shadow IIs. Today, this arguably more handsome car is increasingly sought after and a great investment car, which will only go on to appreciate in value. 

Obviously, our example is in need of restoration but it does have a great deal to offer. Firstly, the number plate 733 RW will come with the car. Valued somewhere between £4 and 8K (depending on who you ask to value it!). The registration plate is fully transferable on the basis that the car has an MOT, which it currently doesn’t. 

Our vendor took ownership in 1990, the T2 was purchased from a haulage company owner who had it as part of a collection of cars. Clearly the T2 was stunning back then but sadly, the years have not been kind. Our vendor shared that the car was used less and less over the years due to work commitments and it was eventually left to stand for a short while. 

In 2015, our vendor commissioned a local body shop to restore the vehicle. Unfortunately, shortly after work commenced, the body shop owner became quite ill so work had to stop. As can be seen in the images, the vehicle was part stripped. The T2 then had to be collected and it has been sat outside at our vendor’s farm since then. 

Due to the timescales and the vendor’s lack of interest, most of the paperwork has now gone missing. The car will be supplied with one set of keys, the V5, an original sales brochure and a handful of MOTs. 

The T2 

As can be seen from the images, the T2 is partially stripped due to the aforementioned body shop having to close. Unfortunately, a small selection of parts have been mislaid. See the short list below: 

• Front Bumper 
• Headlamp wipers 
• Carpets 
• Spare Wheel 
• Nearside front wing trim 

We presume that the carpets were removed and the boot emptied for inspection prior to the planned restoration and frustratingly for our vendor, these were never returned. 

Our vendor has shared that when the vehicle was collected from the body shop it still ran fine and was driven onto the delivery truck, then again off the truck to where it eventually sat for eight years.   

Since then, the battery has inevitably failed but the T2 was pushed to the area where the photos for this article were taken, confirming that the brakes have not seized. 

As can be seen, the engine bay does not present very well but at only ninety thousand miles the engine has barely been run in. We suspect with some clean fuel and a battery it will fire up just like it did eight years ago. 

The images show that the T2 will need to be checked thoroughly for rot and rust but the obvious areas in need or replacement are the front lower valance, the offside front wing and very possibly the nearside front wing. Everywhere else looks like it could be restored without too much drama – but as mentioned it will need a thorough inspection. 

The brightwork that is left in place looks great and the big grille still has plenty of shine, all four hub caps are in situ, as are all the lights. The glass is all in place and perfectly fine, it even has the badges still in place. As you would expect, these parts are pretty rare now and command very high prices at spares shops (if you can find them that is). 

The inside will need a thorough clean and some leather softening treatment, but it has fared very well in the circumstances. You will notice that the walnut trim has probably suffered the worst and it will need to be restored. The roof lining still looks surprisingly good, showing no sagging whatsoever, as do the door pads. As previously mentioned, the carpets will need replacing as they were never recovered from the body shop. 

Our view 

A wonderful car in its day, the T2 is becoming increasingly sought after due to its rarity so we would love to see this one brought back to life and not purchased for the value of spares and that very popular number plate. In fact, between breaking this up for spares and the value of the number plate – plus a very reasonable reserve – we expect this to be a popular auction. 

As alluded to above, it will be a real shame if this is to be purchased solely for the number plate, but you pay your money, you make your choice.