1978 Bentley T2

We like a Bentley T2, we really do.

It has a huge amount of class but it simply refuses to shout about it.

The Bentley T2 is the immaculately tailored, well-spoken, charming Cary Grant to the Silver Shadow II’s louder, brasher, flashier Clark Gable.

James May owned a Bentley T2.

Liberace had a Silver Shadow II.

Enough said.

We’ve been fortunate to see a fair number of these magnificent cars come and go through the portals of our Oxfordshire HQ, and we can say with some certainty that this is right up there with the very best of them.

Not least, of course, because it comes in the rare and fabulous shade of Larch Green, a hue that somehow suits its quiet confidence, understated elegance and debonair deportment down to a T, or perhaps we should say a T2.

This majestic Bentley T2 enjoyed father and son ownership for over 30 years from 1992 onwards and has been maintained by the marque specialist Ranmore Service & Engineering (formerly known as Royce Service & Engineering) throughout that time.

It is in exceptionally good overall condition – dynamically, mechanically and, as you can plainly see, aesthetically.

It has been used regularly but sparingly, as a glance at its recorded mileage intervals will tell you: in 1990, the odometer read 65,546 miles; by 2011 the figure had risen to 88,657 miles; today it has just nudged over the 100,000 mile-mark.

We have driven the car and can safely say that we don’t recall ever driving a better Bentley T2.

It purrs along in a uniquely serene, quiet way, but always giving you the confidence of knowing that plenty of refined power is just a discreet twitch of your right foot away.

Everything feels solid, sorted, sound and fettled.

There are no extraneous rattles, creaks, groans or moans.

And the ride quality is sublime.

It wafts over today’s appalling road surfaces with all the easy grace and suave nonchalance of a lightly oiled otter in an evening suit.

It’s really very special indeed.

The car projects its stately presence very handsomely from every angle, with panels that are reassuringly free of any dinks, dents or other aberrations of consequence, and shut-lines and panel gaps that remain a testament to the arcane artisanal skills of Crewe’s finest craftsmen.

The chrome-work is proudly untroubled by anything so vulgar as tarnishing, pitting or foxing, with the good news extending to the original 15” wheels with colour-matched covers.

The wheels are shod in matching (and marque and model correct) Avon Turbosteel rubber that appears to have a good deal of life left in it.

The paintwork has, for the most part retained plenty of lustre and shine, and we’re frankly being a trifle pernickety when we point out that there are one or two slightly flat spots here and there.

The colour has lost none of its vibrancy and remains every bit as green as anything you’d find in Kermit’s wardrobe.

Faults on this very, very good car are few and far between.

Combined, none of the following adds up to anything worth worrying about whatsoever and, in most cases, you’d be hard-pressed to find these minor flaws without a magnifying glass, a bloodhound and a deerstalker hat.

There are a few stone chips on the front valance beneath the bumper; signs of a previous touch-up adjacent to the nearside headlight; a small dent on the n/s/f wing near the door; a few small paint chips on the bonnet; some cracked paint next to the windscreen on the nearside; a chip just above headlight atop the o/s/f wing; some cracked paint next to the windscreen on the offside; paint chips to the rear edges of both offside doors; a little cracked paint at the lower offside corner of the rear screen; and a paint chip at the front of the roof in the centre.

The lights, lenses, badging, gold fine-lines and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in first-class order.

Very few manufacturers come close to matching the classy, elegant interiors offered by Bentley at their best, and pretty much everything in the gentlemen’s club-like interior of this car is in very good order.

Indeed, the condition, preservation and quality of everything inside are remarkable even for the car’s modest mileage, let alone its 48 years of life.

The seats, front and back, are almost certainly more comfortable, cossetting, supportive and inviting than the furniture in your living room, and the beige leather (piped green) is untroubled by anything more than the odd light crease here and there.

Special order items on this car include the green hide on top of the dashboard, the beige hide on the knee-roll and, in the words used on the factory spec sheet, a ‘Removable Padded Lid to Centre Litter Bin and Tape Storage compartment in Beige Hide’.

Did anyone else spit out their tea at the words ‘Litter Bin’ used in the context of a Bentley?

Moving on.

The ‘Fawn Cirrus’ headlining is in irreproachable condition, as are the door cards, carpets and mats, the latter being of sufficient thickness to convince your ankles that your feet have been stolen.

The car’s original footrests are in the rear.

A reliable tell-tale sign of a well-loved and diligently curated Bentley or Rolls-Royce is the state of the wood veneers.

Well, we’re here to tell you that the wood veneers on the dashboard, door cappings and elsewhere have mostly resisted any temptations to crack, split, fade or shed their lacquer.

Aside for one short thin crack to the lacquer above the clock and some marks under the lacquer on the n/s/f door capping, the woodwork has held up well – and that’s both welcome and unusual.

All controls, dials, gauges, switches, knobs, levers and buttons look to be in very decent condition and, as far as we’re aware, everything does what it’s supposed to do – even the A/C.

The car has a Becker Grand Prix head-unit which is Bluetooth hands-free enabled.

The engine bay is pretty much filled with Rolls-Royce’s tried and trusted, virtually bomb-proof, 6.75-litre V8 engine.

Everything looks clean, dry, present, correct and in its right and proper place.

The car’s undersides have given us no reason whatsoever to frown or tut and everything we can see looks pretty sound, solid and possessed of a good amount of structural integrity.

This car comes with more history than Eleanor of Aquitaine and has two service books (one being a continuation book) that are fair bristling with main dealer and specialist stamps.

The last service was carried out by Ranmore when the odometer was showing 99,804 miles, which is fewer that 400 miles ago.

It also comes with copious amounts of bills, invoices and receipts attesting to work carried out and is further accompanied by copies of its original specification and build sheets.

The fact that Ranmore have been entrusted with the maintenance and repair of this car for well over 30 years speaks volumes about its care and is reflected in its outstanding dynamic, mechanical and aesthetic condition.

The other reliable indicator of the car’s all-round integrity is, of course, its current MoT certificate, which is valid until 19th May 2027 and comes with no advisories whatsoever.

This fine machine ticks all the right boxes for us.

It is in the glorious and unusual shade of Larch Green.

Its history file is more detailed and personal that Eammon Andrews’ big red book.

It drives as well as it looks, and it looks sublime.

It has been cared for by the same marque specialist for over 30 years.

If you’re seriously holding out in the hope of a better one coming along any time soon, be prepared for a very long wait indeed.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £18,000 - £23,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.