The Bentley T1 was the Bentley version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I. This was the first Bentley to use the new monocoque or unibody construction as compared with the separate frame and body of older models. These cars were offered from 1965 in standard sedan version, from 1971 in LWB sedan version, and from 1966 to 1971 as two door coupes and convertibles.
Bentley T1 models were powered by the 6.2 litre (until 1968) or 6.8 litre V8 (1969 and later) engine derived from the SIII series engine. They used the GM 400 transmission with newly designed independent rear suspension. A new (and troublesome) hydraulic brake system was introduced on these cars using rr363 (Dot 3) brake fluid.
A total of 1852 of these cars produced, of which 1703 were standard wheelbase sedans.
The T2 was mechanically identical to the Shadow II, but was not sold in the United States.
This car was the Bentley version of the Rolls-Royce Corniche. It was mechanically identical to the Rolls. Very few were sold in the United States. Of the 140 units produced just over half were convertibles with the remainder being two door coupes.
The Mulsanne was the Bentley version of the Silver Spirit. A long wheelbase version comparable to the Spur was offered but few were sold in the United States.
480 of this model were built, of which 10% were long wheelbase.
The first Mulsanne models sold in America had the four rectangular sealed beam headlamps from the Silver Spur. Later cars had more attractive round headlamps. The Mulsanne had a vertically finned Bentley grille.
The entire Rolls-Royce models lineup was significantly revised in the middle of 1987. Serial numbers jumped from the 15000 range to 20000; hence these newer cars are known as 20000 series cars.
To conform to American laws all Bentley sedans acquired motorized seat belts for the 1988 model year. They are unreliable and costly to fix.
The Bentley Eight was immediately recognizable by its wire mesh grille, taken from the Bentley racers of the 1920s. This car was intended as a lower priced and more sporty alternative to the Mulsanne. It featured simpler interior trim. The seats, for example, did not usually have contrasting piping and the woodwork was straight grain walnut without inlays.
This car also featured a stiffer suspension and a different steering rack. Compared to a Silver Spur this was a much tighter and sportier car. 1736 Bentley Eights were built over the eight year production run.
The Eight was replaced by the Brooklands in the USA market for the 1993 model year.
The Bentley Turbo R was launched at the Geneva Show in 1985, but did not come to the United States until the 1988 model year. It replaced the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo, which had not been offered in North America.
This car was by a large margin the highest performance model ever offered by Rolls Royce and Bentley. In addition to the turbocharged engine it featured bigger tires and wheels and modified suspension. This car was the model that led Bentley sales to overtake Rolls-Royce sales in North America.
Engine output of the early Turbo R cars was just over 300HP. Compared to the Mulsanne, the Turbo R cars had 70-80% stiffer anti-roll bars for better handling. Tires were 1 inch wider. Spring rates remained the same so the car’s ride was similar to that of the Mulsanne.
The Turbo R was replaced in 1995 by the “new” Turbo R just as the “new” Silver Spur replaced the Spur III.
The New Turbo R featured an electronically controlled GM 4-speed gearbox and Zytec engine management. A sport button was been added to the gearshift to select a stiffer suspension and gearshift profile.
There were a number of changes to the body, among them 17 inch wheels with Avon 255.55ZR17 102W tires, tilt steering wheel, exterior rearview mirrors painted car color and faired into the doors, and more aggressive ground effects.
A higher final drive ration and engine changes gave a 10% improvement in fuel economy while power increased by a similar amount.
The spare tire was moved from under the car to inside the trunk.
In 1995 Bentley built 204 short wheelbase cars and 47 long wheelbase cars. In 1996 they produced 281 short wheelbase Turbos and 99 long wheelbase ones.
J E Robison Service Co Inc of Springfield, Massachusetts, is an independent business that specializes in the sale and service of used Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars. We are not an authorized Rolls-Royce or Bentley dealership, we do not sell brand new Rolls-Royce or Bentley motor cars and we are not otherwise affiliated with, originating from, sponsored by, or approved by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. or Bentley Motors Ltd. in any way.
For 1997 Bentley produced 480 long wheelbase Turbo R models. In addition, eight short cars were built at the beginning of the year for the home market.
The security system was changed for 1997. I find the 1997 system more troublesome because the alarm is more easily triggered as it arms itself automatically and cannot be switched off.
The 1997 cars are said to have brighter headlamps, and the headlight switch acquired an “automatic” operating mode.
The last of the Bentley Turbo line was the Turbo RT. Bentley built 250 of these cars in 1998, and 5 final cars in 1999. With a US sticker price that started at $212,000 these were the most expensive of the Turbo R line. Two of the 1998 cars were short wheelbase. All others were long. Perhaps 50 of the RT models are in North America.
Compared to the previous Turbo, these cars had electronic traction control and larger brakes.
The 1997 security system continued in 1998.
All Turbo RT cars in North America are long wheelbase. They are distinguished by the mesh radiator grille, different wheels, and modified bumpers.
These last Turbo's have the highest power output of any Turbo series sedan – slightly over 400HP.
This new “entry level” Bentley replaced the Mulsanne. With a base price in the US market of $156,000 the Brooklands was still fairly costly despite being marketed as an entry level car. It featured a number of refinements over the Eight and the Mulsanne, such as electronic suspension control, upgraded suspension, improved on board electrics, and floor shift.
Changes over the years included:
Bentley produced 1,422 short wheelbase Brooklands cars over the 1993-1998 production run. In addition, 199 long wheelbase cars were built.
The Continental coupes were built on the Turbo R chassis. The Continental R is approximately the same size as the Turbo R even though it’s a two door car.
The dashboard was changed from the sedans with a center cluster that added outside temperature and turbo boost gauges.
Continental models were fitted with a variety of special wheel combinations to set them apart from the sedans.
Production started in 1992 with 1993 model year cars. Over the eight year period, 1,306 R models were built.
For 1997, Bentley introduced a short wheelbase version of the Continental called the T. This model had increased engine output, just over 400HP. The dash was made from turned metal instead of wood, and a starter button was fitted next to the shift lever. The T models had larger, heavier brakes.
The Continental models had two tone leather interiors standard. A two-tone leather steering wheel was also standard, but wood was available as an option.
These cars were fitted with 285/45ZR17 tires in 1997. 1998 and newer cars had 18 inch tires. These were the widest and most aggressive tires fitted to any Bentley product to that time.
The 1997 Continental T sold for $310,000 in the USA.
352 Continental T models were built over the 1997-2002 period. About 25% are in North America.
839 Azure models were built between 1995 and 2000. Production continued in 2001 and 2002, stopped for a few years, and resumed again.
When Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Seraph using a BMW drive train they also developed a Bentley version. This car is the Arnage. The Arnage was originally powered by a twin-turbo BMW motor, but that car did not find wide acceptance as its engine lacked the performance of the Turbo RL it ostensibly replaced.
The Arnage was fitted with the Bentley Turbo RL and called the Red Label. The BMW powered Arnage became the Green Label.
The GT is without a doubt best engineered and most successful modern car in Bentley’s history. The GT is the first Bentley designed by a full engineering team, using one foundation (VW powertrain engineering.) The days of grafting together parts from other car lines came to an end with this groundbreaking vehicle.
Continue reading about these cars and more at the JE Robison Service blog.
J E Robison Service Co Inc of Springfield, Massachusetts, is an independent business that specializes in the sale and service of used Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars. We are not an authorized Rolls-Royce or Bentley dealership, we do not sell brand new Rolls-Royce or Bentley motor cars and we are not otherwise affiliated with, originating from, sponsored by, or approved by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. or Bentley Motors Ltd. in any way.