| Author | Message | ||
     Mark Anson Experienced User Username: bentleybloke Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hi, Another daft question for you all...can anyone tell me what the T stands for on a Bentley T2? I have found one for sale its a 1977 model and would like to get as much information before I buy it. Here is the chassis number SBH 31659, does anybody have a book with what all the letters/numbers mean? The paint code is 9510315, what colour should it be? I have also found the trim code and this says VM846. If you can give me any info from these numbers I would really appreciate it. Kind regards Mark | ||
| William H. Trovinger II Grand Master Username: bill_trovinger Post Number: 172 Registered: 8-2003 |
Mark; The VIN means "S" standard Saloon, "B" is for Bentley, "H" is for home market (UK) and "31659" is the cars production number. The paint and trim codes you should be able to find on this site just do a search using the utilities on the left. Someone (RT I think)posted them not to long ago. As to the "T" I think it stands for the letter after "S" as the model before was "S". More info try www.rrab.com Best of Luck, Bill | ||
| Bill Coburn Grand Master Username: bill_coburn Post Number: 283 Registered: 4-2003 |
Bill T is quite right about the 'T' series following the 'S' series Bentley. The latter of course was preceded by the Mark VI. The Mark VI started out as an 'A' series Mk VI Bentley although most owners wouldn't know that they had one. The chassis number of the first car was B2-AK and according to my records 127 cars later they went to B1AJ and built another 123. So there were 250 'A' series cars constructed. What the difference was between the AK and AJ series I have no idea. And so the B series Mark VI came out as B2-BH and so on the second letter in the chassis number denoting the place in production. This does help as there are plenty of copies of the modifications and changes to these models as they occured in the suceeding series. Eventually some 4000 Bentleys later they got to the 'M' series (B2-MD) and all enthusiasts got hot and slippery because the engine was increased to 4 1/2 litre capacity and that was the last quiet RR built!!! (in my opinion). This car was variously known as the Bentley Mk VI and a 1/2 or more often a big bore small boot model. It is now public that the reason the small boot was retained was because one director of the Company insisted on the drop down lid so that his son's trunk (I am referring to his suitcase) could be carried with ease when the lad was taken to boarding school. Eventually with the demise/removal/reposting of the director the car acquired a long boot and this occurred at chassis number B2-RT - an 'R' series Bentley. Rolls-Royce were going to call the model at this stage the Mk VII but Jaguar got in first (love to have seen that announced in the Board Room!). And so 'R' type stuck but the series changes quietly went on with a 'S' series (B-2SR to B501-SP some 500 cars)and not to be confused with the much later 'S' type - a completely new car. The last MkVI Bentley was B250-ZY - a 'Z' series car and a very desirable chassis they were too with some 250 made but only 4 were left hand drive. This car of course was still sold as an 'R' Type (the name even appeared on the owner's handbook cover). The 'S' type appeared in April 1955 and the series thing started all over again. So when they produced a derivative of the Silver Shadow, as you have already observed,it was named the 'T' type Bentley. So after all this, pundits even more boring than I am, clutched at the fact that when the 'S' series car was superceded by the S2 and S3 this did not change the 'S' series title to 'S1'. Similar lore was born with the 'T' series and 'T2'. Oh no, and woe betide those who slipped with this transgression. I have seen a grown man, a potential new member, on the verge of tears while being haranged in no uncertain terms at a Club meeting for telling the assembled owners that he had acquired a 'Tee One Bentley'! We never saw him again nor the car! And for the record boys and girls that is why we named my little monthly rag which many of you get, 'Tee One Topics' - a sort of up your nose title!!! Well Mark - you did ask. If you want a copy of the mod list email me at spur84@bigpond.com and I will bore you with further detail. | ||
| John Dare Unregistered guest Posted From: 144.134.147.40 |
Hello Mark. By the time this is posted (still awaiting registration etc) others may have pre-empted my opinion and/or agreed or disagreed etc. You may be aware of the "R" type Bentley;1952-55 (the reasons for that designation remaining open to debate)followed then by the "S" series cars;1956-65, culminating (logically it would appear) with the "T" series introduced with the Silver Shadow in 1966. Incidentally, the "first" vehicle to go down the production line in 1966 was a Bentley "T" ("R-R" S/Shadow followed) this later becoming unofficially known as a "T1" in order to readily distinguish it from its successor, the "T2" introduced in 1977. Other contributors will no doubt advise you regarding your paint/trim etc., as I am now off for early bacon and eggs whilst I muse over other recent "news of the day", most notably from some location,somewhere in the U.K (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| John Dare Unregistered guest Posted From: 144.138.194.240 |
In my post of 28/11(09-39am) where I referred to initial production of Bentley "T" and S/Shadow etc., in 1966, that SHOULD have read 1965; late therein, I seem to recall (Sept/Oct?) hence my casual, but nevertheless careless error in offering what was simply a "practical" date for demonstrative purposes. My apology is unreservedly tendered. (Message approved by david_gore) |
