Lot 208: 1967 Bentley T-Series Two-Door Saloon
Coachwork by H J Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd

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 floorpan. 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! 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 Bentley MPW two-door saloon has covered a mere 96 miles in the past ten years and currently displays a total of 104,798 miles on the odometer. We are advised that the engine is in good running order, but the vehicle, which is MoT’d to June 2009, would obviously benefit from further careful re-commissioning following this lengthy period of relative inactivity. Finished in blue with original matching leather interior, the car is offered with Swansea V5 registration document and assorted maintenance invoices for the period 1989-1993.