Is the Bentley T1 the most undervalued classic Bentley of them all? Perhaps… Ultra rare, adorned with all the good stuff we like on classic Bentleys like lashings of chrome, hand painted fine lines and bur walnut veneers the T series cars, in all their guises, are masterful. And actually extraordinarily usable. What we have here is a very nice original example still prowling the streets in her original specification of Larch Green with single Gold fine line over tan hide. It is true to say that whilst the T1 isn’t a million dollar motorcar to buy they do consume like one, fuel economy is best not thought of. Down hill with a following wind you might get to about 22mpg, in town probably 12
**Just incidentally there is a record of 18 gallons of fuel being put into the car on the 3rd September 1973, the day before she was first registered to her first keeper. The cost of those 18 gallons, £6.30**
Servicing too can be costly, although not as dangerous as a ‘modern’ equivalent/alternative. The key is to find a car thats had the money spent, guess what…? It certainly has been here. 6 previous owners in total, the most recent of which went to great extent to ensure she is a brilliant usable classic Bentley. And she is. In March of 2025 she had a 6000 miles service with Frank Dales to the tune of £3000, new fuel hoses at the time as well to mitigate for that pesky ethanol now found in modern fuel. All new tyres in July 2024, proper Avon Turbosteels with white band. A matter of 200 miles covered since. More crucially in 2018 the car was given to The Prasads Automotive Ltd, an independent Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialist who went through the entire mechanicals of the car replacing all the brakes and ancillaries, rebuilt the carburettors, renewed the hydraulic components, replaced the thermostat & coolant pump as well as stripping the sides of the engine block and sump to ensure everything was tightened up and sitting nicely. Since purchasing we have changed the exhaust manifold gaskets as she had a slight blow and she’s driving and breathing superbly well.
The L322, likely as a result of some famous farmer, has generated an almost cult following over the last few years. I remember my father and my mother both had them new when I was a lad. Family trips to France to see Uncle Peter were annual events, George Michael & Elton John in the CD auto changer remain very clearly in my mind although I'm sure all six slots in the auto CD changer were used up. In those days the car was a capable family wagon with boat loads of boot space and all the modern luxuries one could hope for. Today the L322 is a gorgeous blend of fairly modern motoring mixed in with analogue accoutrements. For me the earlier examples are the ones to have, before they got a bit too flashy with the cheese cutter grill, fairy lights here and there and just overall a bit too bling. Our car, first registered in 2003, sold through Statstone Mayfair and still wearing the original dealer registration plate is one of the earliest examples of the Autobiography it's possible to buy. So she's fully loaded on the spec, electrically adjusted headrests, contrast piping, sunshine roof, auto lights, rear heated seats, leather bound grab handles etc etc. And really very unusually dark burr walnut trim on the centre console as opposed to the normal side panels in wood and centre console in hard plastic. She's two owners from new, and just had a full engine oil, filter & plug service as well as a new A/C condenser ensuring it is pumping out ice cold refrigerated air to the front and rear passengers.