The world’s oldest Bentley T-Series has returned home to Crewe after 59 years. 

Sensitively restored and retaining much of its original components and running gear, it takes its place in the Bentley Heritage Collection, which celebrates the marque’s 105-years history.

The standard saloon in Shell Grey, chassis number SBH1001, was used as a company trials car and featured in the original press coverage following the model launch at the 1965 Paris Salon de l’Auto. 

When found under a cover in storage, the car had not run for decades and was missing several key areas – including its entire interior. 

The car’s significance as the first T-Series – or equivalent Rolls Royce Silver Shadow – off the production line prompted the decision to recommission it, preserving as much of the original car as possible.

“The T-Series is one of the final two pieces of the puzzle to complete our rejuvenated Heritage Collection,” explains Mike Sayer, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection.

“Our Chief Communications Officer, Wayne Bruce and I quite literally found it under a tarpaulin in the back of a warehouse, and given it was the first-of-line chassis we knew we had to save it. 

“Together with our T-Series Mulliner Coupe, this revitalised sedan completes the Bentley heritage story of the 1960s and 1970s, and is now an outstanding example of the model, which was the first Bentley to use a unitary monocoque construction.”

Using the freshly developed 225bhp, 6.23-litre V8 engine, seven prototypes undertook significant testing including endurance runs of over 100,000 miles. 

Design innovations included separate sub frames to carry the engine and transmission, suspension, steering and rear axle assemblies, with ‘Vibrashock’ rubber sub frame mounts developed to isolate road noise and vibration.   

Its relatively lightweight construction gave impressive performance for a saloon in 1965, with a maximum speed of 115mph and 0-62mph achieved in 10.9 seconds.

A total of 1,868 examples of the first-generation T-Series were produced, with a pre-tax list price of £5,425, and the majority were standard four-door saloons.