The oldest Bentley T-Series, a 1965 Shell Grey saloon, has returned to Crewe after nearly six decades. This iconic car, chassis number SBH1001, was the first T-Series off the production line and was featured at the 1965 Paris Salon de l’Auto.
Used as a company trials car, it was later discovered in storage, missing several key parts, including its entire interior. Recognising its historical significance, Bentley recommissioned the vehicle, preserving much of its original components.
The restoration was entrusted to specialists at P&A Wood, who faced numerous challenges, including a missing dashboard, damaged wiring and poor-quality crash repairs. The team sourced a donor vehicle to restore essential parts and meticulously worked to maintain the car’s authenticity. Key components, such as the drivetrain and engine, were found in surprisingly good condition, requiring only minor servicing.
Now restored, the T-Series joins Bentley’s Heritage Collection, where it will be displayed at the Crewe campus alongside 45 other historical vehicles. Kept in road-legal condition, this revitalised saloon completes Bentley’s heritage story of the 1960s and 1970s.
